Saskatchewan Snowbirds in Egypt: Istanbul, Turkey

After a four hour flight, we landed in Istanbul, Turkey. Normally, the flight takes two hours because the planes fly directly over Syria to Turkey. However, due to the Syrian conflict, the planes are forced to fly back over Egypt and around Israel to Turkey. We had no problem getting through Customs, but we did have to pay $60.00 US for a visa each. We grabbed our bags, got some Turkish lira, and made our way to the subway and tram system. We were assisted by one of the transit information personnel at the airport to buy one pass which could be used by both of us. We could refill the pass when we needed to. The subway and tram cars are new, modern, well used, and they run often. It was very easy to get to the city centre where our hotel was situated.

The Bosphorus

Once we got settled into our hotel, we spent the next few days catching up upon sleep, getting rid of colds, sightseeing, eating, and typing our blogs.

Topkali Castle--finest display of ancient weaponry (swords, scimitars, guns), jewels, clothing of sultans. The workmanship and wealth displayed here surpasses anything we have seen, even in the Tower of London.

Harem rooms--are cold and dank now but beautifully tiled. Probably, at one time, they were more inviting. These rooms were the living quarters of the imperial family--mother, concubines (had to be foreigners), wives, children.

Harem's courtyard

Blue Mosque--so named because of the blue dome, still in active use as a mosque.

The mosque provides a place to wash your feet before you enter to pray

There are four round pillars used to hold up the dome

Grand Bazaar--miles of shopping--jewellery, scarfs, table linen, throws, carpets—3’ x 6’in silk has an asking price of $1,500.00 US, and couldn't bargain for much less, clothes, and anything else you want, 30,000 employees, 4,000 shops.

Aya Sofya--was a Christian church but became a mosque when the Muslims conquered Byzantine. It is now a museum. This is an outstanding building with wonderful ancient mosaics, and different colored marble on the walls. The whole dome area looks like it is supported by the walls rather than pillars. In actuality, the pillars are built inside the corner structures of the building. We felt this mosque is more outstanding than the Blue Mosque. We visited the mausoleums of some of the sultans and their families which are a part of the site.

A good luck hole. If you find it damp, your wish will be granted?

Basilica Cistern—was the underground water storage for the castle and the Aya Sofya, and now is the home of many carp. It could hold 80,000 cubic meters of water when it was full, pumped and delivered through 20 km of aqueducts.

Medusa's heads used at the bottom of the pillars robbed from a forgotten ruin

Hippodrome—it used to be an arena for chariot races, but it is now a large open area to stroll in.

We found a dessert place where we have tea and some fancy dessert--kunefe being a favourite (a bit like warmed up shredded wheat mixed with a special cheese, and lots of honey). I also enjoyed their creme caramel--light, not too sweet. We found the home of Turkish delight.

Breakfasts always seem to include fresh cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, and olives, as well as eggs, cheese, bread and jam or honey, and cereal--corn flakes or cocoa puffs. We are eating Turkish dishes for supper--some we like, others not so much.

Evening Entertainment--We went to a couple of shows: 1) a Dervish Dance-This was very different to the one we saw in Egypt. Five men danced the dervish and it was all danced to a slow beat. We weren't allowed to applause and we couldn't take pictures.