9/15/2014

Christine and Hanna's Visit to Istanbul


Yerebatan Cistern. This extraordinary feat of Roman engineering, enlarged to its present 
dimensions by the Emperor Justinian I in 532, was used to store water for the Great Palace.

No matter how many times I take visitors around Istanbul, I always try to find new angles to showcase this city in my photography. Even the exact same shot, taken on a different day in different circumstances, can become unique - well in my eyes anyway. I never tire of photographing this amazing city!

So when Christine and Hanna came to stay, I happily grabbed my camera, and took them on a lightning tour of Istanbul's most iconic sights.

Photographs create memories, and here is a snapshot of some of the most memorable moments I captured, of their time in Istanbul.

We began in the tour in the Yerebatan Cistern (also known as the Basilica Cistern). This is a challenge for any photographer, as it is quite dark down there underground, and the lighting is more for the effect. Also, tripods are forbidden, unless one is prepared to pay a fee, which, the last time I asked, was 250TL.

Of course, food featured large on our trip, as who can ignore the many delightful culinary delights on offer in Istanbul?


This is Kunefe, a delicious dessert made with shredded pastry, cheese, and sugar, 
served with ground pistachio nuts sprinkled over the top.


We visited the Rustem Pasa Mosque...


...famous for its beautiful Iznik tiles


Turkish delight

While we were in the area, we couldn't fail to visit the Spice Bazaar, and try some Turkish delight!


While Christine explored this shop...


...Hanna and I photographed the exquisite plates in the room above


Part of the colourful tiled wall display in the underground station of the Marmaray

 The Marmaray is the underground train tunnel that runs under the Bosphorus, linking the European side with Asia. We used this as an alternative to the usual ferry. 


Hanna (with the camera) and Christine in the courtyard of the favourites,
in the Topkapi Palace


Enjoying the day at the Topkapi Palace


We watched these ladies making gözleme (a sort of filled pancake)


...and then couldn't resist trying some


Christine in the Blue Mosque


Hanna in the Blue Mosque too!


...and we couldn't miss the Suleymaniye Mosque

We packed so much into such a short time, but it was fun! I hope Christine and Hanna enjoyed it too, and come back to visit again some time

by Elizabeth Coughlan

9/04/2014

Cruising Down the Bosphorus, Istanbul


Rumeli Hisari, the fortress built by Mehmet II, between 1451 and 1452, 
from where he launched his attack on Constantinople.

One of the delights of being in Istanbul in the summer is to join with a group of friends and cruise down the Bosphorus. This year was no exception. We hired a boat, brought our own contribution for the pot luck lunch, and sailed away.


Enjoying the top deck

No matter how many times I cruise down the Bosphorus, I never tire of the  scenery - the old mixed with the new - history and modernity - all jumbled together on the banks of this ancient strait, separating Europe from Asia.


I so enjoy gazing at the beautiful mansions strewn along the
banks of this amazing strait...


...and the tall houses, jostling for space on the very edge of the water


Our boat moored by the new bridge being built at the
end of the Bosphorus, near the entrance to the Black Sea


Once there, it was time for a swim in the Bosphorus...


...followed by a buffet lunch


Some of the mansions, or 'yali', are painted in this colour, called 'Ottoman Rose'.
This is the traditional colour, dating from earlier times


Peeping out from behind the houses, is Anadoluhisari (the Anatolian Castle), 
which was built between 1393 and 1394 by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.


Küçüksu Summer Palace on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. 
This was used for short stays by the Ottoman Sultans during the summer months

What a glorious day we had! Here's to next year's cruising!

by Elizabeth Coughlan

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I couldn't resist this one!