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Turkey_880S3723_Outside the entrance to the mosque nearest our hotel - the Sokullu Mehmet Pasa_


Turkey_880S3725_Sokullu Mehmet Pasa Mosque from the street_


Turkey_880S3726_We went up to a rooftop cafe and looked down on the Sokullu Mehmet Pasa Mosque_


Turkey_880S3727_This obelisk was brought from Egypt and dates back to 1500 BC!_


Turkey_880S3729_The courtyard of the mosque closest to our hotel. They wouldn't let us take pictures inside._


Turkey_880S3731_We caught this cat snugging outside of the Blue Mosque_


Turkey_880S3732_Inside the Blue Mosque, built in 1617 by Sultan Ahmet._


Turkey_880S3736_This is definitely one of the largest mosques we've been in_


Turkey_880S3739_The walls are covered with beautiful blue Iznik tiles._


Turkey_880S3743_Looking up on the ceiling of the Blue Mosque_


Turkey_880S3757_Aya Sofia from the iron gateway of the Blue Mosque's courtyard._


Turkey_880S3760_The Blue Mosque from the courtyard_


Turkey_880S3764_A skinny mosque minaret._


Turkey_880S3765_Little towers lining the courtyard of the Blue Mosque_


Turkey_880S3770_Us in front of Aya Sofia_


Turkey_880S3777_Us in front of Aya Sofia_


Turkey_880S3785_Aya Sofia and its beautiful gardens._


Turkey_880S3785b_4060_This is the view of Aya Sofia from the rooftop terrace we went to on our last night in Istanbul._


Turkey_880S3786_Vendor selling the delicious sesame bagel breads_


Turkey_880S3789_We met this kitten just inside the entrance to Aya Sofia_


Turkey_880S3793_It was super cute. Later we found him with his mother._


Turkey_880S3794_Golden ceilings of Aya Sofia. Aya Sofia was built as a church back in 537._


Turkey_880S3803_Aya Sofia was later converted to a mosque when the Ottoman's took over Constantinople._


Turkey_880S3807_The mosaics inside of Aya Sofia were some of the most lifelike we've ever seen._


Turkey_880S3812_It's amazing to think that these are left from the 9th - 12th centuries!_


Turkey_880S3828_There is some sort of tradition behind putting your finger in this hole and trying to turn your hand all the way around in a circle. Everyone was doing it!_


Turkey_880S3838_Inside Aya Sofia_


Turkey_880S3843


Turkey_880S3850_Cats walking every which way on the streets of Istanbul_


Turkey_880S3852_So many locals feed the stray cats here - no wonder there are so many!_


Turkey_880S3863_This is the main entrance to Topkapi Palace. It has been used by the Byzantines as well as the Ottomans._


Turkey_880S3869_One of the hallways inside the Harem in Topkapi palace, covered in blue tiles._


Turkey_880S3871_Another view of the Harem hallway. The Harem is where the Sultan housed his many concubines and wives._


Turkey_880S3873_Columns lining the Harem hallway_


Turkey_880S3877_The Queen Mother's quarters inside the Harem_


Turkey_880S3881_The Sultan's sink, inside his apartments at Topkapi Palace_


Turkey_880S3887_Imperial meeting room inside Topkapi Palace._


Turkey_880S3898_Looking out on the Bosphorus River from Topkapi palace. Asia is on the right, Europe on the left._


Turkey_880S3902_View of modern Istanbul_


Turkey_880S3904_Intricate golden windows and doorway inside Topkapi Palace._


Turkey_880S3909b_A friendly carpet shop allowed us up onto their balcony where we took this picture of the Blue Mosque._


Turkey_880S3914_We had dinner at this place one night - popular with the locals._


Turkey_880S3928_The Blue Mosque in the setting sun_


Turkey_880S3929_We finally decided on 2 carpets! This one will be for our office._


Turkey_880S3930_This one will be for our living room._


Turkey_880S3950_Mario couldn't resist stopping for some fresh corn on the cob_


Turkey_880S3952_The variety of spices at the spice market was endless_


Turkey_880S3954_There were also many kinds of Turkish Delight and other sweets_


Turkey_880S3957_More colorful spices at the spice market._


Turkey_880S3963_Weird circling during the ceremony of the Whirling Dirvishes._


Turkey_880S3978_Twirling it up_


Turkey_880S3993_There were 7 twirlers who twirled for about 15 minutes!_


Turkey_880S4000_It must take a special skill to be able to twirl for that long without falling down!_


Turkey_880S4016_This was the fastest twirler, at about 70 twirls per minute (tpm)!_


Turkey_880S4025_We got lost in these crowded and twisting streets more than once during our stay in Istanbul!_


Turkey_880S4027_This kind of shaved meat can be found everywhere around Istanbul and is a favorite with the locals._


Turkey_880S4029_On our last day, we walked into the more modern street to find this aqueduct._


Turkey_880S4031_The aqueduct remains from the 4th century. A main road now runs through the arches._


Turkey_880S4034_This cat was really eager to get its picture taken!_


Turkey_880S4040_Hookah water pipes for sale in the market._


Turkey_880S4041_Inside the Grand Bazaar, a maze of 4,000 different shops!_


Turkey_880S4043_One of the many cemeteries with a unique style of gravestones._


Turkey_880S4046_View of the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea from the rooftop cafe_


Turkey_880S4052_Us at the rooftop cafe_


Turkey_880S4057_Looking out on Istanbul from the rooftop cafe_


 

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