Trips

After the Topkapi Palace, we got back on our bus and were driven to a restaurant, Ansine, near the Chora Church. After lunch Sami and Eleni gave lengthy descriptions of the frescos and mosaics inside this church, all of which are truly notable. These were the first of many old, really elegant, and often quite well preserved frescos and mosaics that we saw on this trip.

Outside the Chora Church

In the Church's garden

Chora Church

Chora Church - Macchia aperta marble

Old city wall

The group was going to the Grand Bazaar next (which we have been in on three other occasions – enough is enough) but about 8 of us revolted and were dropped off at the seaside to walk back to our hotel. We were both exhausted as were many others who evidently just stayed on the bus until it returned to the hotel.

Dinner tonight was on our own so we walked back to our favorite “cafe street.” As we were deciding which one to eat at, we saw two of the Aussies who were on our Gallipoli tour. We talked for half an hour and took their recommendation and ate there. (Sultan Cafe and Bar.) We shared wonderful stuffed mushrooms (piping hot), a cold eggplant/tomato starter, and a Turkish margarita pizza entirely different from pizzas at home. Marge had a huge beer, I had water, and they gave us complimentary tea at the end. It all cost us about $20 US! We love Turkish food!!

Sun., 9/1/13 – Istanbul and the Black Sea on the MV Aegean Odyssey
This morning we had a 1 ½ hour boat ride on the Bosphorus Strait – a three-peat.

Pretzels

New cable-stayed transit bridge

Galata Bridge

Galata Tower

Celebrating Turkish Independence Day

Rumelihisari Fortress

After the boat trip, we walked up to the Rustem Pasha Mosque, built by the famous architect, Mimar Sinan, and decorated with 16th c. blue Iznik tiles. The carpet in this mosque incorporates a pillar-like decoration that indicates where a man would kneel for the prayer rituals. This is a beautiful mosque, which we had not seen before. (Link A, Link B)

Looking in the restaurant window

Rustem Pasha Mosque - ceiling

Rustem Pasha Mosque - tile

Rustem Pasha Mosque - carpet

Rustem Pasha Mosque - tile

We ate lunch near the Spice Market and then had free time to fight our way through the crowds in the market. We bought some Turkish apple tea to take home. This is a favorite photo op so there are lots of pictures!

Roasted corn seller outside the Spice Market

Spice Market

Finally, our bus dropped us at the dock to board our ship, the MV Aegean Odyssey, to begin our cruise around the Black Sea. We settled in, got oriented, and ate dinner in the Marco Polo Restaurant, a full service dining room. It was so-so. We also spent time on deck watching as the ship transited the Bosphorus Strait and entered the Black Sea.

MV Aegean Odyssey

Transiting the Bosporus on the way to the Black Sea

A very daring boater

Yoros Castle at the mouth of the Bosphorus

Mouth of the Bosphorus - Black Sea in sight

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