Istanbul, Tuesday March 10, 2009


Mom and me at Schiphol airport (Amsterdam;)


I'm a fan of plane-food. Mmmm, breakfastbox. Organic inside and out!


First view of Istanbul!


First day was rainy, but the Blue Mosque still made a big impression.


So many pretties: lamps and carpets inside artshop


The park next to the TopKapi Palace is home of huge birds (storks?)


In the evening we took the Tünel train, subway build in 1875.


Windowshopping in Istiklal Caddesi (Beyoglu)


Back to the hotel: tiles above the entrance


My first of many long hot baths: this one with white chocolate dip and milk chocolate mask (no pictures;)


Istanbul, Wednesday March 11, 2009


Breakfast with a view of the sea of Marmara


"Kuaforu" sounds like "coifure" = hairdresser!


Haghia Sophia (Aya Sofya) looks marvelous in the sunlight. Church built 523 AD, converted into a mosque in 1435. (City was called Constantinopel back then)


Aya Sofya: Minaret is part of the mosque, walls are of the old church


Aya Sofya: many different kinds of marble.


Aya Sofya: interesting repair ('if I use the same colour no one will notice it's a floral design - lalalala';) Beautiful tiles


Aya Sofya: inside dome


Aya Sofya: Mary mosaic and stained windows


Aya Sofya: detailed arches and beams


Aya Sofya: View from the gallery


Aya Sofya: painted illusion of column and see through, very clever.


Aya Sofya: my favorite mosaic figure; Arch angel Gabriel


Aya Sofya: mosaic side entrance


Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) interior


Sultanahmet Camii: dome


Sultanahmet Camii: inner courtyard


Modern art: tulip with Aya Sofya in the background


The Egyptian or Spice Bazar smells really nice:)



View on Beyoglu with the Galata tower


Boattrip across the Bosporus with view on the Asian side of Istanbul


Seen from the boat: Beyerbeyi Palace near the Bosporus Bridge (Asia)


Dinner: Döner!


Dessert: warm Künefe (front: cut to show the cheese) and Kadayif (plate in the middle, same as Künefe, but without cheese and served cold).


We went to the Movieplex to see Watchmen with Turkish subtitles.


In the basement of the movietheatre we found this old car...


and couldn't resist being dorky:)


Time for the movie. There were three other people. We left during intermission.


Istanbul, Thursday March 12, 2009


The Basilica Cisterne: Underground water storage build in 532 AD by Justinianus


The Basilica Cisterne: sweating column


The Basilica Cisterne: upside down Medusa in the dark (no flash)


The Basilica Cisterne: sideways Medusa


Detail of the Egyptian column, part of the Hippodrome. Stolen top build in 1500 BC, bottom is from 4th century AD; Theodosius I.


Modern times: traffic light:)


Back in time: Bozdoğan Kemeri, Valens aqueduct, 373 AD (city was still called Byzantium then;)


Tulipmosque: a peak through the gate of the cemetery


This guy served a delicious drink: juice with cinnamon. In front of University.


Grand Bazaar


The New Mosque at dusk


Birds above the New Mosque


The New Mosque, interior


The New Mosque, tiles detail


Mom and me in front of the New Mosque:)


Dinner; Kebab and bloated bread



Dessert: yes, that's Künefe AGAIN. (It really is delicious:)


Istanbul, Friday March 13, 2009


Daylight picture of the restaurants we recommend: see Wednesday for Saray, Thursday for Lalelim. Cemberilitas area.


Airport Ataturk


View of the Netherlands


Back on the ground: Schiphol Airport


Home, sweet home. Souvenirs survived!