Final Istanbul Blog

Hi every body,

This is the final blog of our trip to Turkey - Istanbul.

After our morning visit to the Topkapi Palace, we did a bit of looking around in general. We planned a night cruise on the Bosporus, that evening to celebrate Simone's birthday the next day. So we did n't want to tire ourselves out completely........!

 

 

View from the Galata Bridge, one of the oldest bridges of Istanbul . The bridge crosses the mouth of The Golden Horn. People used to sell their wares from the bridge, however, now they mainly use the bridge to fish from and a crossing from one suburb to the other.

On the Galata Bridge looking on to the area called Eminonu.

The spice bazaar.

Lots of spices for sale as well as caviar.

Saffron, soooo cheap!!! A pity I am not allowed to take it in to Australia.

And what about the famous Beluga Caviar.

Luckily, that one I got for my birthday and it certainly will be all finished before we go back!!!

Spices, all sorts of tea, nuts, sweet treats, you name it, they got it!

On board the boat, taking us for a night tour on the Bosporus.

The start of our dinner on the tour.

One of the modern bridges over the Bosporus , lit up at night by laser beams.

Part of the tour was a performance by a belly dancer. This is the start of her performance.

There she goes.......!

On and on!!!

People were invite to join in with a dance.

One of the many illuminated buildings on the shore.What a wonderful tour and what a fantastic start to my birthday!

Next morning I was treated to a REAL cup of coffee. Wonderful.

We had time in the morning to visit the Basilica Cistern. An enormous under ground water reservoir, built in 532. This cistern was initially built by the Emperor Constantinus I. The water in the cistern comes from various aqueducts.

Inside the Cistern.

Having a wonderful lunch to celebrate my birthday.

Personnel of the little restaurant surprised me with a birthday cake!

Goodbye Istanbul, time to part....... We had a wonderful and very special time with the four of us!

Off to the airport, back to Holland! The next day we had another family reunion to attend to!

Well that is the end of the Istanbul blogs.

Next time we hope to sent you some photos from places we will visit in Belgium and of course..... The next season, Autumn, has started.

Greetings from us, L&S .xxxx

Topkapi Palace

Hi all,

The following day we went to the Topkapi Palace in the morning. It is located in Sultanahmet square and was constructed between the years of 1459 and 1465, during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II. It was used as the management centre of the Ottoman Empire and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans. The complex consists of 4 enormous atriums with each a series of pavilions, a stone version of the tent camps of the earlier nomadic Osmans.

In 1924 it was opened to the public as a museum.

A very impressive building or buildings with a lot of history.

 

On our way to the Topkapi Palace.The pathe leading to the entrance gate.

 

Beautiful well maintained gardens surround the various buildings.

Entrance from a side gate.

A guide showing us the way.

Entrance gate, the Gate of Sallutation .

A model of the Topkapi Palace complex.

Divan square or Justice square. Ceremonies for the sultan's accession to the throne or for funerals were held in this courtyard.

The entrance to this pavilion from up close.

Entrance to the Harem.

Inside the Harem. The room of the " Invalide Sultalar".

Beautiful decorated windows.

Many rooms in the harem were beautifully decorated.

Walls decorated with Iznik tiles.

More Iznik tiles, here used in the dome.

 

Information about the concubines. Very young girls and young women , gathered from all over the Ottoman Empire, came to live in the harem. They were educated and groomed and hoped to catch the Sultans eye and serve as his concubine and if lucky, bear him a son. Maybe he would marry her then and so she could wield enormous power within the harem.

The role of the mother of the reigning sultan explained.

Entrance hall to one of the many rooms within the harem.

Concubines were always watched. Here through the use of mirrors.

The main room of the " Queen Mother".

Posing in the courtyard of the "Favourites".

Arbor for evening meal during Ramadan.

The enormous courtyard of the favourite concubines of the sultan.

From the courtyard , in the back ground buildings of Istanbul.

Taking a break from all that info.

View from the Topkapi Palace, overlooking the Sea of Marmara.

One of the many bridges crossing the Golden Horn.

In the back ground the part of the Bosporus , called The Golden Horn.

Another view. The weather was magnificent.

Hanneke taking a break from all the info.

The Galata Bridge in the distance.

A very impressive visit. We take a brake now and will continue in the afternoon.

Till the next and possible the last blog of our trip to Turkey- Istanbul.

Bye for now, L&S xxx.