Aunt Jeanne and I have arrived in Turkey and are having a marvelous time traveling this country I have dreamed about visiting since I sat at Aunt Jeanne's table in 7th grade and she showed me her pictures for my Social Studies project! So happy to finally be here!
Our first two days were in Istanbul touring this large, bustling, well-built, and prospering city!
At the airport Sunday morning ready to go!
My view from the hotel window- my first view of Istanbul
The cherries were marvelous, as were the peaches
After going to our welcome reception with our Trafalgar tour guide and new found friends (there are 11 from us and the others are from Australia and New Zealand), we headed out to find a local Turkish meal. We were there right at Iftar (breaking of the fast) so it was very busy.
Our marvelous food we found- lots of sautéed veggies, eggplant, lamb, minced meat, potatoes and things stuffed with rice. We also finished it off with dessert- similar to shredded wheat but covered in honey (or something like it).
We got back to the hotel and has this gorgeous night time view of Instanbul
We started our touring the next morning where we took our luxury coach (not a bus as our guide tells us on a daily basis- ha!). We headed to the old-town of Istanbul.
We headed to the area where the Hippodrome use to be- they built up around it. This is a beautiful fountain donated by Germany.
Egyptian obelisk
See the original floor of the Hippodrome
A serpent statue missing the head
I had no ideas but tulips are HUGE here! They started here before going to Holland. Tulip season is over but I loved his billboard to show how popular they are here.
Then we walked over to Sultanahmet Camii, which the tourists call the Blue Mosque
The gate into the Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque- what a beauty
The walls around it with the minaret (tower you see)
Then it was time to enter the mosque- since this is an active mosque that people pray at 5 times a day, we had to dress properly.
It is called the blue mosque because blue is in the tiles on the wall
Love, love, love the tiles
Anne and Linda listening to our tour guide
Aunt Jeanne and I with our scarves
Looking out onto the mosque- where they pray 5 times a day
Women are allowed to come into this mosque and pray but need to be in own area in the back corner
As we left the mosque, I saw these plants formed to look like the Turkish flag
View of the Blue Mosque
There were roasted corn stands on every corner and looked yummy!
Then we crossed the street to go to Hagia Sofia that use to be a church and then turned into a mosque (the minarets were built when it was turned into a mosque). Now it is a museum.
Outside of Hagia Sofia were these ruins with sheep
Hagia Sofia from the outside
Beautiful mosaics of Jesus
Inside of the mosque
Loved this beautiful tile
The ceilings
More Christian tiles
Faces are not allowed in mosques so they were covered up when it was turned into a mosque and they are now uncovering it
just loved these coverings
Before lunch, Aunt Jeanne took me to the cistern that was just beautiful
This is medusa that was put in upside down
Lastly on our tour stop, we headed to Topkapi Palace to get an insight into the Ottoman Empire's power and influence
Mostly, pictures were not allowed inside as we viewed the kitchen tools, jewels, swords and other things
Before dinner, Aunt Jeanne and I walked around. I finally got some corn I had been eyeing all day.
We finally found this wonderful local restaurant with the sweetest people who work there. They do not speak any English but did their best and had a friend help us. It was oh so delicious!
Turkish tea to finish the meal
I sat right by the kitchen and was fascinated as he was cooking!
Before headed back to the hotel, we got more water for the road and then stopped for dessert at a pastry shop- yum!
Next we left the HUGE city of Istanbul and headed towards the countryside!
Our first two days were in Istanbul touring this large, bustling, well-built, and prospering city!
At the airport Sunday morning ready to go!
Aunt Jeanne and I set out to explore the area around us- well to really pick up water (the tap is not safe for drinking). When we found this across from our hotel, I got excited because I love my fruit!
Graeme had on shorts so they gave him a stylish skirt ;)
After our long tour with lots of walking in the heat, I went to the indoor pool to relax. This picture does not do it justice but it was beautiful. I loved swimming in the pool and reading in the hot tub!
Next we left the HUGE city of Istanbul and headed towards the countryside!
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