Turkey - Istanbul

From one continent to another, well sort of.  We travelled to Istanbul, an historical city that used to be called Constantinople, founded in 324AD in the country that is known as Turkey.  It is the largest city in Europe, and straddles the Bosphorus Strait lying in both Europe and Asia. We went on a cruise of the strait travelling down the European side and then the Asian side of Istanbul with both sides flying very large Turkish flags.

There was a sailing race on at the same time so it was interesting watching the sail boats race but try to avoid us as well!

The cruise gave us lots to look at like the Dolmabahce Palace, which served as the main admin centre of the Ottoman Empire until 1922.

The Beylerbeyi Palace which was a place to host foreign dignatories but is now a museum.

The city walls of Constantinople were inspiring to look at.  They were one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built apparently.

Overall, a pleasant couple of hours just cruising along but only giving us a wee insight into some of the sites of this vibrant city!

Off the boat we visited the Camica Republic Mosque that had the most amazing views inside and outside.

Beylerbeyi Sarayi Summer Palace, a 19th century Ottoman palace located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus was an interesting place to visit.  It was a summer residence for the Sultan but is now a museu,. and we weren't allowed to take photos, apart from its gate.

That night we found a fun restaurant who loved to serve dramatic drinks and yummy food.

The next day we joined the On the Go Tour group which consists of a few Aussies, Americans one other Kiwi and and an Irishman!  

Our first excursion together was to the ruinous hippodrome, now a small park and once the scene of chariot races and political activities in Byzantine times.  What was more exciting were the cars that were there for the start of the Gum Ball 3300 race.

Grant was so excited especially about this car!

Beside that was the Blue Mosque, famous for blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets and which faces the Hagia Sophia.

We didn't go into this famous building but it is a basilica built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.

Instead we went into the Topkapi Palace.   It was built under the orders of Sultan Mehmed II a few years after he conquered Constantinople and remained to be the main residence of Ottoman sultans from 15th-19th centuries.  It is massive with one of the sections guarded by some Ottoman soldiers. He didn't mind a wee selfie!!

The Sultans used to sit on this stone throne to watch various sporting events such as javelin and wrestling.

The library was an impressive place where the sultans would go to read the Koran, the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation directly from God.

This is an example of the armor a sultan would wear during battle, and there were a few of those over the years during their complicated history.

On one of the balconies, you had a fabulous view of the Bosphorus Strait.

From the fresh air of the palace grounds we then were taken to the Underground Cistern - an ancient underground water tank, replete with carved and fluted Corinthian columns

and a puzzling head of Medusa.

There is so much to see and do in this fabulous city.  The Greek and Roman history is well remembered amongst the Ottoman period.  For a city that has had so many ethnic influences over the centuries, it has developed a very cosmopolitan vibe.