The next morning began with this breakfast for me
and this
for Suzanne
which amused me
before we found our way towards Topkapi Palace
and made our way past the outer walls
and through the outer courtyard
and into the gate
to the ticket office
and past various signs we could not read
until we got into a courtyard
that led to the Imperial Courtyard Hall
which was our first dose of remarkable domes
fine tilework
and remarkable furnishings
but we diverted and went to explore the Harem
where the rules were not strictly enforced
and the scenery was strictly remarkable including the tile work
courtyards
facades
and descriptions
which seemed to go on without end
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and was admired until we got to the shell doors which were equally amazing
alternating with tiles
before we saw the scene of 3 of the Sultan's wives
and another set of doors
a small fountain
more tilework
a repeat of the fountain
and gold
and then a toilet
and a bed
and more tilework
and we made our way to the Imperial Hallway
which was more of the remarkable same (gentle reader, forgive me for not describing, just enjoy the remarkable scenes that are unfolding before you .... )
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and more rooms
amazing doors
tilework
a view outside
and then continual amazement
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before we came out to a courtyard
that afforded wonderful city views
nd buildings such as this which would have been amazing elsewhere became commonplace
and our tour continued like this
past amazing gardens
and tilework
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until I stood in the place
where the Sultan broke his fast during Rammadan
and we headed to the Baghdad Pavillion
where after capturing the scene
I took some close ups
of these amazing pieces of art
and then the dome
as we headed off to a place where the views were good and the water was expensive
and then came back
to the dried herbs
and after the library
took a few more views of the city heading north
and the Sultans throne
before heading along this path
past this cistern
to the fountain of Ahmet III.
It should be noted that there were a few places within Topkapi where photography was not allowed. One was the scene of the Islamic relics ranging from a bowl used by Abraham to Joseph's turban to Mohammed's sandals to Moses' rod. In this building there was an Imam reading from the Koran in a drone just as has been done for the past 400 years. A second building without photography held the jewels ranging from emeralds as big as my hand to an 89 carat diamond. Indeed, Topkapi Palace was like nothing we've ever seen before or expect to see later. After getting away from this gentleman and another who wanted to sell us carpets
we headed to a lunch which began with olives
and bread
as Suzanne
and I
drank our waters
and then had this mixture of Turkish appetizers
before getting menus
from which we could order Turkish coffee
and a dessert of rice pudding topped with ice cream.
After lunch we headed to the Blue Mosque where this group were sitting on steps where a sign asked them not to sit
and these mosque scenes of the outside were accompanied by signs
that led us under a dome like this
and through a tunnel
until we could join the others
who were admiring the amazing mosque
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as I posed by the railing that separated many of the visitors (except those who felt they had to run races around the worshipers) from the locals
as a group of children came through
to admire these sites
as did Suzanne
and after recording the extent of the mosque
and this prayer which seemed to be in every mosque
we took some photos of the outside
from the benches
and walked around the corner towards our hotel where I paused to record the remarkable flowers in our garden.
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After a short rest, we decided to head to the ferry station
to catch the 1920 boat to Kudakiya
as Suzanne
and the crowds waited
as I caught a few photos of the New Mosque (which was not very new)
and then the time came
when the boat pulled in
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and passengers got off
so that we could board and Suzanne could buy tea to drink on the ride
as I recorded the scenery
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and the wooden floor of the boat
as we landed with a mosque in the distance
and once the bus cleared away
we could see the Otel Bagdat
and the timers on the crossing lights
and trace down streets like this in the fish market
to find our way to Ciya which had been recommended in the New York Times
and so Suzanne settled in
as I observed the kitchen
from which we would choose our salad courses
as bread
and water were served
and our beer came in bowls
after which the waiter took this photo of us
and I took this photo of the waiter with Suzanne
before our main courses arrived
and then some thyme tea
not to mention the peppers I had on the food.
Dessert was a curious mixture
followed by a candy
and then some tamarind juice.
On the way back to the boat dock, we were photographed
by this man as he sold us pistachio nuts and almonds.
These were scenes, some less clear
some clearer recorded on our journey back to Europe from our Asian dinner.
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