Mediterranean Mezze

Dancing By The Pool

Up an at them (again) today, much to see here. First stop was the Topkapı Palace which was the home of the Ottoman Sultans for 4 centuries. From the outside it has the looks of a basic fort that conveys strength to those who see it. One you are inside though you find a more basic and humble place, mush more than one would expect considering how long the Ottoman Empire existed and how large it was. This we were told was due to the Sultans wanting to appear humble before god. I think they succeeded, WR Hearst’s San Simeon is much more opulent. Areas where the sultans did spurge was clothing, accessories (crowns, rings) and other day to day goods. The clothing was magnificent, they apparently never wore the same clothes twice. The crowns, rings and even the basic cups and jugs used in day to day life were crusted in jewels, all on display for us to see. Sorry, pictures were not allowed…

Next up was the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known more well known as the Blue Mosque. It is almost 400 years old and is still in active use today. We managed to slip in just before noon time prayers, an important event during Ramadan. Next up was the Church of Holy Savior in Chora, aka Kariye Museum. It was a Byzantine church then a mosque and now a museum. Simple looking on the outside, it contains some of the best frescos and tile mosaics we have seen. Unfortunately due to time and the cost of changing empires and religions most were damaged or removed however what was left was worth the time to visit and Kim and I were surprised by the quality of what we saw.

The final stop of the day was the Istanbul Spice Bazaar, aka the Spice Market. Many things were for sale there like in the Grand Bazaar, however the basic orientation is to food and there is much for the eye, nose and eventually the mouth to take in. We had a taste of Turkish Delight and my expectations were low would have to admit. But much our surprise it was great and we ate more than we should have.

Crashed at the hotel again tonight, we are at the point where we are beginning to collapse a little. Took Sydney for a swim again, her way of blowing off steam on these trips. Another wedding tonight, more sparks, fireworks this time during ceremony. Sade’s ‘Smooth Operator’ operator was played while the call to evening prayers was on. An odd meeting of lives, Turkey was been interesting on many levels. After the swim we lingered by the pool for a while enjoying the Bosporus enjoying the evening. The ever patient Sydney started to dance in the shallow parts. Can’t add much more to that…

The Bosphorus from Topkapı Palace

The Tower of Justice and Imperial Council Hall at Topkapı Palace.

TheThe Gate of Felicity (Bâbüssaâde or Bab-üs Saadet), entrance to the Inner Courtyard.

The Audience Hall or Chamber of Petitions (Arz Odası)

The Blue Mosque

Inside the Blue Mosque

The Exterior of the Church of Holy Savior in Chora

Inside the Church of Holy Savior in Chora

Some Saints hanging out

Inside the Spice Market

The Bosphorus Bridge

Sydney dancing by the pool.

The Pudding Shop

We returned to Istanbul today, our final stop. We started of at the Hagia Sophia a museum that once was a basilica then a mosque and now a museum. The name means Holy Wisdom and the current building is the third one with this name to exist at this location. A huge building, it is a feast for the eyes. Lunch was up next and our guide took us to Lale Restaurant or “Pudding Shop” which is near Hagia Sophia. A former stop on the ‘hippie trail’ in the 60s and 70s, this was an exchange place of sorts where travelers from the west heading to India and other locations in the east would hang out, leave messages for friends and travelers returning home to the west would sell items they no longer needed to to travelers heading east. Now a more ordinary food shop, our guide Aşkin said it had the best Turkish Gyros in the city, I have no other locations to compare them with but it was quite good. The owner took a liking to Sydney and asked her if she wanted to work there saying she had strength in her, in a few years was her response.

Next up was the Basilica Cistern, largest of many ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. The walls are ~15 feet thick and the materials used to make the structure were recycled from older buildings, etc., so some of the columns were decorated although some decay had occurred due to contact with water over the years. Interestingly two blocks with medusa heads were used as bases, these are tucked in the back of the structure, hidden from site for many years while the cistern was in operation until the place was open to us tourists.

The final stop for the day was the Grand Bazar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Fifty+ streets laid out like a large maze, people selling everything one would want it seems. These old markets are always fun to walk through.

The next few days we are staying at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski located on the Bosphorus. There is a big wedding on tonight with many guests and even fireworks. ‘Celebrate!’ by Kool & the Gang was also played, I guess it is a standard at weddings around the world….