Istanbul 2012

Following a fun and exciting experience in Baku, Azerbaijan, our group stopped off in Turkey on the way home to the USA. My husband and I visited Turkey last year and I never imagined I would have the opportunity to return so soon.

Back in Istanbul

Our home in Istanbul.

Our group in front of the Blue Mosque

I didn't take many photos at the Blue Mosque - I had so many from last year's trip.

The Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia 

Built in 537 AD by Emperor Justinian.

It was a church for 916 years and then a mosque for 481 years.

In 1935 the Hagia Sophia became a museum.

The wonderful Christian mosaics were uncovered.

Outside the Hagia Sophia

Mosaics and Tiles

I love the feral cats of Turkey!

They are totally indifferent to visitors.

Here we are at Topkapi Palace

After a busy morning of sight-seeing we had lunch on the roof of this restaurant.

View from restaurant

Looking in the other direction.

Miniatures of historical Turkish buildings

Very realistic.

KimseYok Mu is a Turkish relief organization.

Turkish television station (Samanyolu).

This window was in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul!

So modern and "cute".

A fun afternoon of shopping at the Grand Bazaar!

Egyptian Spice Bazaar

Last year we missed the spice bazaar. This year Jim put in a special request.

Spices, dried fruit, nuts, tea, Turkish Delight.

Doesn't this look delicious?

The "spice bazaar" was built in 1664 located in the Golden Horn.

The fragrance and beauty are worth a visit.

Sharing photographs with the wait staff at dinner one evening.

The waiters in Turkey are amazing.

View from Ramada - Old City

Honey - breakfast buffet

Breakfast at the Ramada - Istanbul

We made a quick stop for a photo at the Black Sea.

From Istanbul we traveled by ferry to Yalova and on to Iznik (Nicea).

We spent the night in Bursa before returning to Istanbul.

I hope you will join me for the remainder of my recent travels in Turkey.

♥andPeace,Myra