Istanbul Modern

Built in 2004 this 8000 square metre exhibition space facing the Bosphorus is a fabulous space to showcase Turkey's growing modern art collection .
We spent a couple of great hours here.


Adnan Varinca 1918 2024

Fatma Tulin 1950 Past Future

Erol Akyavas 1932 1999 Fall of the Castle 1982

Sensory Overload

Up early to see Lyn and David on their way.
After another great breakfast it was time to set off to do dome exploring by ourselves. A convoluted route and we found the Spice Market
big load of eggs
[image_1







horror of horrors, there is cheese stored in this

Postcards

view from roof top of hotel





Fresh fish, we get to choose which one we want , then its cooked.

All ready, the perfect meal for our last dinner together. Early tomorrow Lyn and David head to Athens to join their cruise. What a wonderful time we have had together.

Postcards

view from roof top of hotel





Fresh fish, we get to choose which one we want , then its cooked.

All ready, the perfect meal for our last dinner together. Early tomorrow Lyn and David head to Athens to join their cruise. What a wonderful time we have had together.

Dogs and Cats

On our travels through Turkey we have commented frequently between our selves on the quantity of cats and dogs that seem to roam freely about the place. We see people feed them, especially around the ruin sites food is left for them, boxes are left for people to donate money to buy food etc .It wasn't until our guide Doc explained the reason that we understood.
According to the Islamic religion you can only pray in a clean area, they consider cats and dogs to be dirty so therefore cannot feed them in their homes because if they did their house would be dirty they could not pray and the Angeles would not come. So cats and dogs are living in the streets but everyone looks after them providing food. They all look healthy enough but I worry about the dogs because they really need to be patted and have human interaction

Blue Mosque

The awe inspiring icon of Istanbul , built between 1609 and 1615 , known originally as Sultan Ahmed Mosque now referred to as the Blue Mosque because of the thousands of blue tiles that adorn the inner walls. Used still as an operating mosque so visiting it must be fitted in around prayer times. Shoes off head scarves on in we went. Speechless, could anything man made be so beautiful. Phone camera certainly not do the place justice. Outside shots will follow latter , light has been wrong every time I have tried to take photos so far

Istanbul

Continuing our great day.
Next stop Basilica Cistern. This extraordinary cistern built by Justinian in 532AD. A mixed history ,originally used to store water for the great palace and surrounds, fell into disuse and now restored and on the tourist trail. A stunning place, 65 my wide 143mt long, roof supported by 336 columns arranged in 12 rows. Once held 80,000cubic mt of water delivered through 20km of aqueducts.




Medusa




What visit to Istanbul is complete without a visit to the Grand Bazaar. Built in 1400's with over 4000 shops, kilometres of lanes,all a tad over whelming.



more gorgeous ceiling