Istanbul is fascinating with her beautiful architecture, rich history, and warm people. There are old Roman ruins, byzantine churches and cisterns, Ottoman
mosques, extravagant palaces, exotic bazaars, and steamy hamams to visit and experience in this European-Asian city that spans two continents, Asia and Europe, and which is separated by the Bosphorus strait.
Ninety-nine percent of the locals are Muslims and many were warm and friendly (sometimes over-friendly). Great sales people and touts, I was entertained by their Korean and Japanese greetings and of-the-mark guesses of where we were from (Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Papua New Guinea? Really?! Kudos to them, though, for their keen geographic knowledge). Most of the time, we ate kebabs and other meaty dishes; vegetables were scarce to come by.
Ninety-nine percent of the locals are Muslims and many were warm and friendly (sometimes over-friendly). Great sales people and touts, I was entertained by their Korean and Japanese greetings and of-the-mark guesses of where we were from (Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Papua New Guinea? Really?! Kudos to them, though, for their keen geographic knowledge). Most of the time, we ate kebabs and other meaty dishes; vegetables were scarce to come by.
A visit to Istanbul would not be complete without a traditional Turkish bath at a hamam. Stripped full monty, my friend and I walked into the Cemberlitas hamam's ancient, dome-shaped, steam-filled circular room where local female attendants awaited to bath us. In the middle of the room was a large, round flat stone where women could sit or lay down after their bath. Lying flat on the edge of the stone and feeling rather awkward and ticklish, I was given a full-body exfoliation by a burly woman with a wet crepe-kese (coarse mitt). There was no time for small talk. Her job was to wash me - silently. When she was done with one side, she would slap me on the butt or on my thigh as a sign to turn over or sit up. Oddly, I understood her commands. Next, I was thoroughly rinsed and given a rejuvenating 15-minute massage. After the massage, I was vigorously soaped and rinsed again. The full service was complete with a brief hair wash and head and shoulder massage near the tap. It was a very interesting experience.
Hagia Sophia, 6th-C. A.D. -
Formerly a church, then a mosque and now a museum; the minarets were added by the Ottoman Turks
(Click here for wiki info)
The Basilica Cistern 532 A.D. (Yerebatan Sarnici i.s. 532)
(Click here for wiki info)
Below top: Marble pedestal (left) of the Obelisk of Theodosius, 4th-C A.D. (middle column) & Column of Constantine Porphyrogenetus, 10th-C A.D. (right)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet Camii)
(Click here for wiki info)
Topkapi Palace
(Click here for wiki info)
Below top: Grand Bazaar -
one of the largest and oldest markets in the world
(Click here for wiki info)
The Galata Tower
(Click here for wiki info)
Dolmabahce Palace
(Click here for wiki info)
Istiklal Avenue (Istiklal Caddesi) and Taksim Square in Beyoglu district
(Click here for wiki info)
Spice Bazaar (Misir Carsisi)
(Click here for wiki info)
Bosphorus Cruise -
the Bosphorus strait separates Europe and Asia and connects the Sea of Marmara to the south and the Black Sea to the north
Kadikoy -
located on the Asian side of Istanbul
(Click here for wiki info)
Miscellaneous Istanbul -
Bottom: Waiting for the Whirling Dervish (Sufi whirling) performance to start
(Photography was not allowed)
(Click here for wiki info about Sufi whirling)
Our meals @ Istanbul
