Istanbul, TurkeyMay 11, 2010
Istanbul - a modern, vibrant city filled with people - on a day to day basis we've seen and interacted with many more people than we ever saw in China! Look at the top picture and from foreground to the distance and you'll see a street called Istiklal that is packed night and day with wall to wall people. Where are they all going? No idea! These are mostly locals in an area of Istanbul away from the tourist sites but near where we ended up staying in the Istanbul Apartments (it's nice to have extra room and our own kitchen now and then).
Basilica Cistern - one of the most amazing things we've seen in Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern built by a Byzantine emperors in AD 532. Able to hold 100,000 tons of water back then and still holding water and fish (!) today it was built with 336 columns. The cistern is a hidden gem under the streets and buildings of the current city. Save the visit for the afternoon as when you go down there the air temperature drops precipitously - very welcome on a hot day.
Below is a picture of the Blue Mosque - as beautiful on the inside (covered with blue tiles) as the outside.
Tomorrow early we are flying to Cappadocia, Turkey to stay in the Giramisu Cave Hotel built in to the hillside.
All the best,
Jackie
2 comments:
It's wonderful to hear about your continuing travels. We just loved everything about Istanbul, and all of Turkey, really. I hope you enjoy seeing the fantastic sights. Flying to Capadoccia makes a lot of sense! If you can find a Caravanserai to visit, by all means do so! It's just so astonishing to think of traders riding camels on the Silk Road from central Turkey to China, 800 years ago! We love your blogs! Keep 'em coming!
Great pics! Love reading about your travels. Keep the pics and blogs coming!
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