Istanbul, Turkey April 18-19, 2022

 Istanbul,  what an incredible city, one that deserves a second visit, but not when it is in the 40s, rainy, windy and a real-feel temperature of the 30’s.  The at-sea-day before already was an indication of the miserable weather to come.  We could not see anything of the passage through the Dardanelles Strait, Sea of Marmara and Bosphorus Strait due to the heavy mist.  I truly had seconds thoughts of getting of the ship and going on our tours, but as Margit reminded me, you have never been here and who knows if you ever will be again.  So I mustered all my energy and braved the cold.  I am glass I did.  

Part of Istanbul (formally called Constantinople) is on the European continent (60%) and the other 40% is on the Asian Continent with the Bosphorus Strait between the two sides.  It’s the only transcontinental city in the world, which alone makes it unique.   Depending on which tour guide you believe there are about 15 to 18 million inhabitants within the city limits, which makes it also one of the most populous cities in the world.  It also touts the third oldest subway system built in 1875.  (BTW London has the oldest 1863) Turkish is its language with English spoken by most everyone under the age of 40.   It was once the ancient capital ( Ankara is now the capital and further inland ) of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.   It’s strategic location provided easy access to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea alone the world famous Silk Road.   It is 90% Muslim with the rest Christian and Jews.  It has 3,000 mosques, 200 churches and 5 Synagogues.    For more information, please consult Google.  

Day 1 tour, consisted of a brief bus ride to the fortified complex of the Topkapi Palace giving us a glimpse into the lives of the sultans.  It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople.  It was expanded and altered many times throughout its history and served as the home of the Ottoman sultans until the middle of the 19th century.  It was very impressive, most of the rooms were exhibit halls, many empty as these palaces of the sultans   were usually scarcely furnished.  We were not allowed to photograph the exhibits and we also did not  see them all, you would have needed an entire day.  Some of the items we saw were ancient weapons, one of the largest diamonds on display in the world (80carats+), attire, serving dished, coffee pots, clocks of all sizes and shapes one of the most impressive collection I ever saw.  And so much more.  The grounds were beautiful and had one of the oldest known tree in Istanbul.    After our visit there we proceeded on foot to the famous Blue Mosque, constructed in 1609. It was somewhat of a disappointment as it was under renovations and very little of the interior could be seen.  It is famous for its architectural beauty, tremendous columns and blue tiles, which are made of marble,  hand-painted and triple glazed.  Our guide said that just one of these tiles could go for as much as $5K.    To warm up a bit we were brought to a Rug Store for a rug making demonstration and some hot beverages.  We did in deed warm up and saw some really beautiful rugs.  Our next stop  was the Grand Bazaar, the worlds largest indoor bazaar.  It was incredible.  It has 23 different entrances/exits and you could easily get lost in there.  It’s many narrow passageways revealed over 3000 café’s and shops.  A shoppers paradise and nightmare all in one.  One store after other gleaming with jewelry, copper ware, Turkish lamps, and never ending candy stores selling Turkish Delights, the local sweet.  It comes in many varieties and ladened with sugar.  Though they can contain, nuts, dates, pomegranates, apricots and so on.  We walk another 15 minutes in the bitter cold and drizzle to the bus following our free time inside the Bazaar.  We return 6 hours later to our ship, totally exhausted, past lunch time and chilled to the bones.  We grab a sandwich at one of the cafe/bar counters on  the ship and devour it with a beer in our cozy stateroom.   Followed by a nap.  

Day 2:  The weather has not improved temperature wise it was even colder but at least the rain and drizzle had stopped while we were touring.  Most of the tour was a scenic drive through parts of Istanbul a visit to  the Pustem Pasha Mosques, built in 1561.  Its  walls are  exquisitely covered in colored Iznik tiles of blue, red, green and purple,  it is the most richly riled mosque in Istanbul.  We also visit another bazaar and spice market.  These were frequented more by locals than tourists which gave you a much better glimpse at local culture.   After which a short walk to the Bosphorus straight where we embark a sightseeing boat for  a  lovely 1/1/2 hour  boat ride providing us with a wonderful view of both sides of the City, and seeing two Continents at once, Europe and Asia.  The boat drops us off right at the Cruise Terminal, which is one of the most impressive cruise terminals I have never encountered in all my sailing years. It’s a multistory building complex with high-end stores, lovely restaurants and cafés, a solar panel roof, and two sections of the roofs are very shallow ponds.  Never seen that before.  The seagulls loved it.   The the passenger terminal part was like that of an airport, endless hallway, very modern with its usual checkpoints.  

We are back in time to enjoy a late lunch. And once again, were happy to be back in our cozy and warm stateroom.      

Approaching the Topkapi Palace

Blue Mosque 

Layout of the Topkapi Palace

Ancient tree, proclaims to be the oldest tree on the Palace complex  and yes it is still alive. 

One of the entrances to the palace rooms, we were not allowed to photograph the insides.

A view of the grounds within the complex,  one of many.  The tulips were blooming, they looked so lovely and provided a splash of color on this gray and dreary day.  . Did you know that tulips came from Turkey! 

  

Inside one of non-exhibit halls, really beautifully decorated.

 

A closer look at the stunning ceiling designs. 

Looking out towards the grounds from one of the many Palace halls.

We are not heading to the Blue Mosque 

Because of the undergoing renovations were not able to see much of the inside the Blue Mosque, so called because of all the blue tiles that adorne the walls and ceilings.  

 

Inside is a large open space for prayers.  You have to take your shoes off before you enter this or any mosque.

The Obelisk of Thutmosis  III, erected in the 15th century  at the Temple of  Karnak in  Egypt was brought to Constantinople by emperor Theodosius and erected here at  Sultanahmet Square. It’s the oldest Monument in Istanbul.  

Watching a carpet making demonstration.

Gate 1 of the Grand Bazaar.  There are a total of 23 gates from which to enter or exit this maze.

The Grand Bazaar is all indoors and this is just one of many passageways.

A vendor inside the Grand Bazaar 

Day 2 on our city tour we pass the old “Orient Express” Railroad station.  Though you can barely make it out on the right side is one of the locomotives of the Orient Express train.

There are 50 miles of the Old City walls still remaining in various locations and condition.

Inside the Rústeme Pasha Mosque adorned with blue, green, red and purple tiles.  

The pulpit directs its worshippers towards  Mecca for praying.  

An outdoor bazaar, lots of locals shopping there 

One of the vendor stalls at the bazaar.

The Indoor Spice Market.  

Spices, figs, dates, nuts Turkish Delights,  its all there.

 

Views from our sightseeing boat. 

The boat to the left is the Viking and the one behind it was a large Norwegian Cruise line Ship

Inside the Cruise Terminal security check points.

View of the Cruise Terminals, hard to spot but on the left side the roof was covered with solar panels, the right lower section was a floating pond,  the next building was a serious of Cruise Terminal Shops and Restaurants.   All quite impressive.  

And this is our Easter Basket that magically appeared in our staterooms upon returning from the Easter Brunch.  What a sweet surprise.     

P.S.  We did not get to visit the very famous Hagia Sophia Mosque dating back to year 537.  It was built by the  Byzantine Roman Empire and served as a church until 1453. Then as a mosque with several architectural changes, then in 1935 until 2020 it was a museum and in 2020 was re-designated as a mosque.  It’s design supposedly influenced the designs of all future mosques.