Istanbul, Constantinople...

Do you know the prior name of Constantinople? First person to comment with the correct response wins a Turkish surprise. Arrival into this city of 16 million people was breathtaking. Istanbul, a powerful force of economic trade second only to China is the only city in the world split between two continents by the Bosphorus Strait: Asia on one and Europe on the other.  The history of Turkey is remarkable through various empirical rulers, religious struggles and cultural differences though continues to flourish.

Our hotel shuttle driver maneuvered narrow, winding, cobblestoned back streets to arrive at Alzer Hotel in the Sultanahmet area. As fate would have it one of our designated rooms was occupied by another guest who decided to extend his stay in Istanbul so ended up in the Pasha Suite with a magnificent view of the Blue Mosque.

Our fabulous view from the Pasha Suite at Hotel Alzer.

Hotel Alzer cafe

the flats and Turkish coffee

a little boost after our long journey

Hotel Alzer

Host Sureyya with "The Flats" on the Hippodrom

After a relaxing walk about the Hippodrome area which consists of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque came back to the suite to sit in amazement of the fabulous view. As the sky drew darker, the illuminated mosque with it's six gold tipped minarets even more magical as flying, floating seagulls whose feathers seemingly underlit resembled angelic wings.

Blue Mosque by night

Following days filled with visits to ~

Sultanahmet or the Blue Mossque...

Interior of the famed Blue Mosque

from across the fountains in the Hippdrome

Hagia  Sophia...

Followers must first wash their feet before entering to pray.

Topkapi Palace...

Bosphorus Bridge from Topkapi Palace

Margaret and I and the Bosphorus Strait

In the Harem

Ottoman Empire performance at Topkapi Palace

the Grand Bazaar...

Sureyya's friend's jewelry shop

shop owner and his son

the Cisterns...

the Cisterns

Medusa upside down!

fish in the Cisterns

no, I didn't forget to rotate this!

the Spice Market...

stacked Turkish Delight

a Bosphorus cruise...

Ortakoy

Turkish love their Starbucks!

Cooking up the fish for sandwiches aboard a very rocky boat!

Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent in the background.

a craft market at Ortakoy...

Another Turkish speciality: stuffed baked potatoes.

Fortune telling rabbits!

enterprising street vendors...

Fresh squeezed pomegranate juice

Turkish pastry ~ Simit

Roasted corn on the cob

Bird seed for the pigeons

Pickled vegetables

Roasted chestnuts

all a part of observing the daily rhythm of life!

Food was divine!  Mouth watering kepabs, kofte, mezze platters with smoky eggplant dips, fabulous hummus, sauteed vegetables, stuffed vine leaves, breads, desserts and more!

Mezze appetizer plate of flavorful dips, and sauteed vegetables.

Anatolian flat bread fresh from the oven served with yogurt
garlic butter that was divine...

red pepper condiment

peppers and meat

infamous fish sandwich

Absolutely delicious entree of seasoned meat wrapped in
Anatolian bread, sprinkled with herbs and red pepper flakes
served with sliced tomatoes and fresh yogurt. Yum!

wonderful dried fruits including grapes, plums, apricots,
figs, apples and mulberries! 

tomatoes, cucumber, olives and cheese are typical

Typical Turkish breakfast is tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta cheeses with bread. To round out the offerings, they have added a variety of the English fry up to include sausages, potato croquettes or french fries, cereals and pastries. Off to the country but back in a week or so.


All kinds of baklava for afternoon tea or dessert!