~Istanbul Turkey~
The sail into Istanbul was probably the coolest thing about Istanbul for me. We sailed in on a Friday, so it was a big prayer day. You could hear the chanting going on from speakers that were all over the city. It was one of the most exotic sounds I have heard.
The view from the sail-in. The Blue Mosque on the left of the picture and the Hagia Sophia on the right. The Blue Mosque built in 1616 and known as the Blue Mosque for the blue Iznik tiles in the interior.
One of the first things we did when we got off the ship was catch the tram to the Sultanahmet. This is where we toured the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. This was very interesting. These are the boys standing in front of the Haghia Sophia - Built in 537 as a Christian church but converted into a mosque in the 15th century. Since 1934 it has been a museum. 
I was really surprised by the interior. I can't believe that this isn't better kept. It seemed to be falling down around itself. I would think with a treasure as big as this one, more care would be given to retain it's upkeep.
Here is the old alter... and a little cat was sunning himself by the spotlight.
Bob at the weeping pilar - it is said to have healing powers
Inside the Hagia Sophia - an old Christian symbol on the ceiling.
Here are the boys trying Turkish coffee. I wish I would have gotten a photo of what this stuff looked like before they drank it. It seriously looked like a mud pie.
The Haram inside the Topkapi Palace. This was the most interesting place of the visit. The Haram was a closed world occupied by the Sultan's wives, concubines, and children.
All of us on the tram to Palace. The tram system in Istanbul is great! It was very easy to tour on our own. I am very glad we didn't spend huge money on tours here. Everything was right there together and the tram was actually WAY faster than anything with wheels.
Deb and Rich outside the Hagia Sophia
Everyone stopping for a Turkish refreshment.
One of our last stops was the Grand Bazaar. This is one of the world's largest buildings, containing 61 covered streets. It is 3,305,000 sq ft. The bazaar is the world's oldest covered market. To say it was intimidating would be an understatement. This picture is one of the gates leading into the bazaar. There are twenty two of these gates.
This is inside the market place and only one of the streets. This is the jewelry isles.
This is the Baghdad Pavilion - built by Murat IV in 1639 to celebrate his capture of the city of Baghdad the year before.
Bob in the circumcision room - he was very uncomfortable in this room.
The Sultan's apartments... can you just imagine him sitting around here with all his girls.
Tile in the Haram
View from the Topkapi Palace... you can make out the back of the ship.
Everyone stopping for a Turkish refreshment.
One of our last stops was the Grand Bazaar. This is one of the world's largest buildings, containing 61 covered streets. It is 3,305,000 sq ft. The bazaar is the world's oldest covered market. To say it was intimidating would be an understatement. This picture is one of the gates leading into the bazaar. There are twenty two of these gates.
This is inside the market place and only one of the streets. This is the jewelry isles.
This is the Baghdad Pavilion - built by Murat IV in 1639 to celebrate his capture of the city of Baghdad the year before.
Bob in the circumcision room - he was very uncomfortable in this room.
The Sultan's apartments... can you just imagine him sitting around here with all his girls.
Tile in the Haram
View from the Topkapi Palace... you can make out the back of the ship.
No comments:
Post a Comment