Today was our first day of "rest" since arriving in Turkey last Tuesday. We decided to sleep in this morning and have breakfast and be ready to leave at 9:30 a.m. to catch a ferry for the Princes' Islands. We have about a three minute walk from our hotel to the metro. The metro is similar to London's with lots of deep tunnels and escalators going down to the platforms.
We arrived in time after taking the metro to by tokens and board the ferry at Karakoy.
Eloise & Juliana . . .
Watching dolphins off the back of the ferry ~
The dolphins and the fishing boats - obviously there were fish below . . .
The loading docks at the city port . . . maybe our pallets arrived here from China and the USA . . .
We took the ferry from Karakoy to the four Princes' Islands, stopping first at the quay in Istanbul on the Asian side of the Bosphorus - another continent.
The first island of the four was Kinaliada. The islands were filled with rather large very nice looking homes, hotels, shops and restaurants.
Then Burgazada.
The third island was Heybeliada.
And finally Buyukada - the island where we spend several hours. We decided to take a horse drawn cart around the island just to get our bearings and see the island. Then we walked along the quay to have some lunch on the Sea of Marmara. We had a delicious selection of appetizers and then some fish, lamb and chicken kebabs.
Luc and Juliana on the ferry . . .
The "prisoners" awaiting their turn to board the ferry . . .
Ferry station on Buyukad . . .
Lots of tourists and day trippers that have arrived by boat. It was a glorious hot and sunny day. Lots of tourists just at the main square right off the boat
There are no cars, so horse drawn carriages take the tourists on tours of the island, and up to the park or the monastery to get a view of Istanbul.
An upholsterer's shop
Empty side streets . . .
Lots of renovations going on . . .
A nice side porch for lunch under the hanging baskets . . .
You could also rent bicycles in town to ride around on your own.
The park at the top halfway to the end of the island from the town. This is where they took at ten minute break and we got to stretch our legs.
Our carriage . . .
Beautiful views of the Sea of Marmara below . . .
We were so slow with six people in the carriage, other carriages were passing us. Luc was totally embarrassed. Also the carriage was listing a bit . . .
Wild horses can be seen grazing in the woods . . .
And children and families on Sunday picnics . . .
Jay relaxing, and Juliana and Robert talking . . .
Look at these nasturtiums growing on this chain link fence.
And this beautiful yellow rose . . .
Turkish flags fly everywhere . . .
Lots of bakeries, selling simits, or the Turkish version of a bagel, seen here on the right with sesame seeds or with sunflower seeds.
Fish seller in the street.
Lots and lots of cats everywhere. Sleeping along the street, strolling through restaurants, and even sleeping in the chairs at Starbucks in Istanbul.
Beautiful looking vegetables and fruit . . .
We have not tried the apple tobacco yet . . . but we have seen several folks smoking.
Fish drying on racks . . .
Trying to decide which of the many appetizers to choose . . . And what are they anyway?
MORE FOOD! just in case anyone could possible be hungry!
Beautiful views . . .
Lots of headbands of flowers for sale . . .
and gelato and ice cream . . .
We walked around the very tourist laden village, getting some ice cream before getting on the 4:00 p.m. ferry back to Istanbul. The ferry ride took about an hour each way.
Feeding the seagull . . . our Turkish friends sitting next to us gave us bread to throw up in the air for the birds . . .
Back to Istanbul - Asian side . . .
Back to Istanbul, and now what to do? Luc wants to show us the Grand Bazar . . . so we head off with Juliana as our tour guide . . .
So we head to our first mosque . . . Sultan Bayezio II Camii 1500-1505 . . .
We had to take off our shoes before entering, and put the in the cubbies outside the mosque, or put them in plastic shopping bags they have outside. Women had to cover their head and hair with scarves. They did provide scarves and material but we had brought our own to wear
A separate area for girls to pray behind a screen, away from the men . . .
Look how worn the stone threshold at the entrance is . . .
Kathy and Jay crossing the outside courtyard, where the water is to wash before praying . . .
A young Turk
A beautiful minaret outside against the beautiful blue sky
More simits for sale . . .
The Grand Bazar is closed is closed on Sundasy. There were vendors all around outside, but we couldn't go inside, so we will come back another day. Luc was very disappointed not to be able to show us around. He has been here several times.
We decide to head to the Blue Mosque, with its six minarets. It is very distinguishable with these six tall towers on the outside. Sultan Ahmet I commissioned the mosque during a period of declining Ottoman fortunes, and it was built between 1609-1616 by Mehmet Aga, the imperial architect. The splendor of the plans provoked great hostility at the time, especially because a mosque with six minarets was considered a sacreligious attempt to rival the architect of Mecca itself.
We came in through the exit to the Hippodrome . . .
View looking towards the Hippodrome behind us . . .
Look how worn the threshold is . . .
Ablutions Fountain in the middle of the courtyard. This hexagonal sadirvan is now purely ornamental, since ritual ablutions are no longer carried out at this fountain.
Once again we had to take off our shoes and cover our hair and heads (women) before entering.
When you walk inside it is breath taking. It is very quiet except for a few sounds . . . and the height of the domes and the intricate ornate decorations are so beautiful.
The carpet, for praying on . . .
The blue mosque is named for the beautiful blue Iznik tiles around the bottom. You can see them in the photo below.
Putting on our shoes as we leave the blue mosque . . . I love the stripped leggings and converse sneakers . . .
Walking towards Hagia Sophia, through beautiful grounds and trees . . . of Sultanahmet Square. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia face each other across this leafy square.
Hagia Sophia from a distance . . .
The Baths of Roxelana. These beautiful baths are mid-16th century. They are no longer baths, but the colors of the walls in the fading sun was beautiful from the outside on our walk across the square.
Hagia Sophia was closed as it was too late in the day, but we will come back. We walked around the outside as the sun was setting . . .
Entrance to Topkapi Palace - the guards are shutting the doors.
Sogukcesme Sokagi - traditional painted wooden houses line the street, with the wisteria in bloom.
Cafe along the way, open to the street . . .
Beautiful walk with huge nests of blue herons above in the trees.
No comments:
Post a Comment