ISTANBUL 97-Bosphorus Cruise (Again)

The Dolmabahce Palace was built in the Turkish Renaissance style in 1843 after the ruling Sultan at that time found the Topkapi Palace old fashioned. The palace is still the scene of important official receptions.

The Rumeli Hisari Castle was built in 1452 on the European shore of the Bosphorus at its narrowest point.

The Bosphorous Bridge at the European Side.

The Ortakoy Mosque is situated just before the bridge.

ISTANBUL 97-Bosphorus Cruise

The Bosphorus Cruise is probably the only cruise in the world that can take you across two continents in less than one hour! It departs from near Galata Bridge.

The Suleymaniye Mosque (center) and the New Mosque (left). On the extreme right is the Galata Bridge

The cruise terminal.

In the center is the Hagia Sophia.

The New City.

ISTANBUL 98-Other City Sights

The Topkapi Palace was the official residence of the Ottomen sultans until 1839. It is a complex of courts, pavilions, mosques and fountains covering 700,000 square metres and is now an important museum.

The Galata Bridge, one of the two bridges that connects the old city (where Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque) is located with the New City. There is a sharp contrast between Istanbul's old and new city. The people in the old city are more traditional, where all the women are veiled, while the new city is just like any modern European City, where all the women are dressed in modern fashion.

Can't remember the name of this mosque/

The Spice Bazaar, one of the most important shopping area in Istanbul.

The Bosphorus Bridge straddles over the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus is a body of water than connects the black sea with the mediterranean sea and separates Europe(left) and Asia(right). The Bosphorus bridge is probably the only bridge that connects two continents.

ISTANBUL 97-Hagia Sophia & Suleymaniye Mosque

In 1997. I went to Istanbul for a business trips and had some spare time to see the major sights in this important historical city.

The Hagia Sophia is one of the most important and beautiful historical building in the world. It was originally built in 325AD by the Emperor Constantine. The present building was completed in 537AD after the earlier building was burned down. It serves as the center of religious life in the Byzantine Empire until the conquest of Istanbul by the Turks. After the conquest it serves as a mosque for nearly 500 years until it was converted to a musuem in 1935.

The Suleymaniye Mosque was built by Sultan Suleyman 1 following his victory in Hungary. It is one of the most important Ottoman building in Istanbul. It stands on one of the seven hills of Istanbel.

Panoramic view of Istanbul. On the left is the Suleymaniye Mosque.

ISTANBUL 97-Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmet Mosque, is one of the most beautiful and grandest mosque in Istanbul. It is the only mosque in the world with six minarets. It was built by Sultan Ahmet as a counterpoint to Hagia Sophia and is called the blue mosque due to its blue-green tiles.

The central dome is 43m high and has a diameter of 23.5m. Four round piers covered with marble plats support the dome, and on each side it is supported by semi-domes.

The courtyard is bordered by 26 granite columns, with stalactite capitals forming a portico covered by 30 small domes. At the center of the courtyard is the octagonal fountain.

The interior of the mosque. The walls and pillars are covered by magnificant floral designs displaying traditional lily, carnation, tulip, rose motives and cypresses in blue, green and brown tones.

The pulpit ("mimber") is made of original Proconnesian marble.

A man in traditional costume selling tea.

EGYPT 98-The Great Pyramids (and again)

EGYPT 98-The Great Pyramids Again

The last morning of our trip was free and easy before we catch the flight home to Egypt. A group of us did not have enough of the Great Pyramids during the first visit. So we arranged for a second visit. It was money well spent and the photos turned out to be awesome. The deep blue sky contrasted well with the colours (or non-colours) of the pyramid stones. On the other hand, most of the photos taken in the first visit did not turn out well as it was taken near dusk. In the era of film cameras you won't know it until you have come home!

So here are more photos of Great Pyramids.