If you have not done so, read the previous related post here.
Today was our second-last day in Turkey and we were headed back to Istanbul from Bolu. While entering Istanbul on the highway, a car cut into the lane of our bus without warning. This resulted in a display of fists by our coach captain supported by our tour guide in the middle of a ramp leading off the busy highway with both the car and our bus blocking it entirely. A rather eventful pre-lunch affair. There was going to be a football match between the home team of Istanbul and the team currently at the top of the league. This match would actually decide which team would top the Turkish League. If you have noticed the mini-flag of a football club in some of the pictures, you would have realized that our tour guide was an avid supporter of the home team. In any case, we arrived at our lunch destination -- a chinese restaurant. After which we finally visited the Hagia Sophia.
Today was our second-last day in Turkey and we were headed back to Istanbul from Bolu. While entering Istanbul on the highway, a car cut into the lane of our bus without warning. This resulted in a display of fists by our coach captain supported by our tour guide in the middle of a ramp leading off the busy highway with both the car and our bus blocking it entirely. A rather eventful pre-lunch affair. There was going to be a football match between the home team of Istanbul and the team currently at the top of the league. This match would actually decide which team would top the Turkish League. If you have noticed the mini-flag of a football club in some of the pictures, you would have realized that our tour guide was an avid supporter of the home team. In any case, we arrived at our lunch destination -- a chinese restaurant. After which we finally visited the Hagia Sophia.
Lunch! There's no porku in this chinese restaurant because there is simply no porku in Turkey!
Hagia Sophia or Ayasophia, built in the 6th century A.D. with a huge dome that seems unsupported.
The tulips are still here!
Frescos. Many were covered when this place was turned into a mosque. Now restoration is in progress and the old frescos are being uncovered.
Many pillars adorn the sides
Arabic calligraphy
The great dome under maintenance. This dome fell twice in history.
Huge bottle that kept anointment oil
Under the arches at the sides
Close-up of a fresco replica
Another replica, real ones coming soon
Do these pillars look familiar? When they built this place they took stuff from everywhere. These pillars were from Ephesus shown again below.
From the second level view. There is no stairs up but a winding ramp so that they can carry the Emperor/Empress up on the chair.
Fresco of an angel
I think this is Mary and Jesus
This should be Mary, Jesus and John
This hmmm... Constantine, Mary with Jesus, Hellenia
I'm not too sure who are those at the sides
When they built this place nobody believed the great dome was built and supported by the techniques of man, so four depictions of angels support the great dome.
There was one pillar near the big jar of oil that had a hole in it. It is said that if you can turn your hand 360 degrees while your thumb is in it, your wish will be granted. Apparently an angel is supposed to reside there.
The story goes that a boy was doing some errand that required him to be beside that pillar. Needing to go back to his master to settle some stuff, he did not know what to do as he feared being scolded for leaving his post. An angel came and told the boy that it would take care of the errand at the pillar till the boy returns. When the boy found his master and told him what had happened, they did not allow him to return so that the angel in keeping its promise to the boy will reside in the church forever.
Well I decided to try my luck and wished that my upset tummy will go away. Seems like it worked, and I was well before nightfall. After the Hagia Sophia, we went on to visit some other sights in Istanbul. They were more for shopping which did not really interest us except for getting some souvenirs. Tonight however, an interesting dinner and night of entertainment awaited us at "Turkish Night".
The story goes that a boy was doing some errand that required him to be beside that pillar. Needing to go back to his master to settle some stuff, he did not know what to do as he feared being scolded for leaving his post. An angel came and told the boy that it would take care of the errand at the pillar till the boy returns. When the boy found his master and told him what had happened, they did not allow him to return so that the angel in keeping its promise to the boy will reside in the church forever.
Well I decided to try my luck and wished that my upset tummy will go away. Seems like it worked, and I was well before nightfall. After the Hagia Sophia, we went on to visit some other sights in Istanbul. They were more for shopping which did not really interest us except for getting some souvenirs. Tonight however, an interesting dinner and night of entertainment awaited us at "Turkish Night".
Instead of a metro they have a tram system in the old city area of Istanbul
The 500 year old Grand Bazaar. Notice the mini-flag
It is not very interesting inside but this place is huge.
Later we visited the Spice Market. I was trying to guess where the spices here came from.
Turkish what?!
Spot the WC sign contest. The winner gets a free WC entry from me.
Outside the venue for Turkish Night. Hmmm... Looks interesting inside
This is supposed to be a dance from the Black Sea region.
The first belly dancer! There was this old man from the Japanese tourist group that keeps shoving notes down her... erm, you know.
A short clip of the first dancer part 1
Part 2 of the first dancer
Belly dancer 2. Note that they are supposed to have bellies not like the 3rd one shown below.
Watching her was like a hair dance instead of belly dancing. But it didn't stop the same old japanese man and his notes tough...
Besides the belly dancers there were these Cossack dancers
Cossack dancer stuns
Turkish Night ended with a professional entertainer singing some songs and getting the crowd involved. After Turkish Night, we retired to our hotel. Apparently the football match ended with the home team losing. So we were advised not to hang around outside late in the night. Tomorrow we will have some free and easy time before we head to a cruise along the Bosphorus.
Read about the next related post here.
Return to the trip index here.
Read about the next related post here.
Return to the trip index here.
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