Hello Summer - Trip to Istanbul

It is becoming a bit of a habit now. When Otto leaves our post to go home for the summer, we spend a few days together in a cool city. The last 2 years it was Paris. This year, Istanbul.  We had a great few days together. He is getting better about sightseeing, but i always plan a day or 2 alone after he leaves so i can do the hardcore sightseeing i love. Istanbul is a must see city. People are super friendly and not too pushy, it is very affordable and there is so much history. the perfect combo.

Here is our trip...

We took a Bosphorus Cruise. This is an incredibly well preserved fortress.

The coolest (literally) thing we did was a tour of the underground cisterns. It was HUGE. One of the mysteries are 2 medusa heads that are the base of columns, this one is upside down and the other is sideways. no one knows what the symbolism is behind this.

Inside the Basilica Cistern

Dinner at one of the many roof top restaurants. The sea of Marmara in the background.

The Hagia Sofia is just right there from these roof top bars. We stayed in the old city - Sultanahmet. We were there when there were all the problems at Taksim square, but that part of the city was closed to traffic and from where we were, you never wold have know.

Something we saw everywhere we went in the old town - cats and artifacts.

Inside the Hagia Sofia. It just glows, the ceilings are mosiac of shiny gold. it was mind blowing.

The main hall. It was originally a church, then converted to a mosque. Now a museum, so it is fascinating to see the mixture of the two religions and all the iconography.

One interesting (sad) thing is that when it was converted to a mosque, much of the mosaic was plastered over. here is a section that is being restored. The mosaic is so elaborate and bright, even after being covered for ages.

Otto's idea of Vacation: