Days 19 & 20. March 23 and 24
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Our first stop was the Topkapi Palace and the least satisfying of all. The lines to pay for tickets and again to see the various attractions were unbelievable. I wanted to see the 40 or so Harem rooms amidst a maze of 400 halls around the Sultan's quarters. However, it would be closing within two hours, it required a separate ticket and one must go through the First Courtyard first to get to the Second Courtyard where the Harem was located. And it wouldn't be open the next day.
It took an hour to get to the First Courtyard from the time we entered the grounds. Once inside Randy stood in line while I tried to squeeze in an attraction. The Royal kitchen was the only one that didn't have long lines.It was worthwhile to see the enormous cooking pots needed to feed the vast staff on hand in those days. The only other display we saw there was the Treasury with its vast amount of gold jewelry, etc. No photos could be taken. However, the next day in a gift there were replicas and I could take photos.
It took an hour to get to the First Courtyard from the time we entered the grounds. Once inside Randy stood in line while I tried to squeeze in an attraction. The Royal kitchen was the only one that didn't have long lines.It was worthwhile to see the enormous cooking pots needed to feed the vast staff on hand in those days. The only other display we saw there was the Treasury with its vast amount of gold jewelry, etc. No photos could be taken. However, the next day in a gift there were replicas and I could take photos.
THE BLUE MOSQUE - SULTANAHMET
Day 2: Istanbul - Hagia Sophia
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Basilica (underground) Cisterns
MEDUSA - It is not known exactly where these two heads came from, but there is a rumour saying that they were brought here after being removed from an antique building of the late Roman period. Another mystery is why one of the heads is upside down while the other is tilted to one side. But it is commonly accepted by scientists that they were placed in that way deliberately. It is said Medusa was one of the three underground gorgon giant sisters, but only Medusa was mortal. She had the power to transform people who looked at her into stones. It's said that in statues and pictures of Medusa were placed in very important buildings.
Lunchtime
Delicious looking Turkish Delights and other sweets
Typical street scenes away from the mosques
We didn't sail on the Golden Horn. Here on the Bosporus Strait we are leaving Istanbul. Perhaps the next time we visit the proposed Galataport cruise terminal will be be a reality.