Turkey

This page contains my photos of a trip to Turkey in April 2000. Click on the thumbnail to see the full-size photo.

Istanbul! As exotic and exciting as I expected it to be! I visited the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, went on a cruise on the Bosphorus, etc. Then I joined an Explore group and toured different archeological sites, Gallipoli, sailed on a gulet, suffered claustrophobia in an underground city in Cappadocia and experienced many marvellous Turkish delights.

	The Blue Mosque is called like that because the interior is decorated with colourful tiles which gives a blue effect.
	The interior courtyard of the Blue Mosque, the fountain where worshippers wash themselves before going into the mosque.
	The Audience Room, Harem building in the Topkapi Palace.
	Look at the beautiful tiles covering the ceiling of the Audience Room, Topkapi Palace.
	The Reception Room had this beautiful chandelier hanging from a domed ceiling, Harem building in the Topkapi Palace.
	Beautiful stained glass windows in the sultan's room (Topkapi Palace).
	The Sultan and his ladies were entertained here in the Reception Room in the Topkapi Palace.
	The Baghdad Kiosk on the grounds of the Topkapi Palace.
	I went on a fascinating day visit of less touristy sites with Rinaldo. Here he is standing in front of the old city walls.
	Church of the St-Saviour of Chora. It has beautiful frescoes from Christian times. Those were whitewashed when the Muslims used this church so they were protected from the ravages of time.
	The old district of Fener, view of the Golden Horn in the distance.
	A street scene in Fener.
	Beautiful buildings in the old Pera district, now Beyoglu. The Turkish aristocrats spoke French, this building is inscribed 'Cité de Pera'.
	This building is inscribed 'Cité de Roumélie'.
	I went on a very pleasant Bosphorus cruise from the pier in Eminönü. This is the 19th century Dolmabate Castle.
	It was Sunday, many people were enjoying a fine day on the promenade by the Bosphorus.
	The Fortress of Europe built in 1452 at the Bosphorus narrowest spot.
	We're coming back into port, good view of the Galata Tower.
	I happily wandered around in the Grand Bazaar, a maze of shops which made me think of the Caves of Ali Baba.
	Some women in traditional costumes in the Grand Bazaar.
	I walked to the Spice Bazaar, the building exterior and the people around were just as exotic as the interior.
	A merchant selling spices and other products in the Spice Bazaar

I joined the Explore tour (called Ancient Sites and Asia Minor) on the evening of my 4th day in Istanbul. We had a full day to look at Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and they went on Bosphorus cruise (I visited the Museum of Art and Anthropology instead). The next morning, we left Istanbul. My next page has Gallipoli, Pergamum, Selçuk and Ephesus photos.

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