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!