8 days in Turkey left me totally exhausted but fulfilled. I love the historical places that we visited. Seeing the ruins of columns and mud bricks, who would have thought that Turkey was once occupied by Romans... shoot, I didn't know that!!
The first day in Turkey, we boarded the bus (straight from the airport) and drive to our first place of interest, the Byzantine Hippodrome. Long time ago it was a politic corner and sport events were held. Part of the lavish Hippodrome was decorated with the Obelisk, from Egypt as a dedication to pharaoh and Constantine. Not much left of the Hippodrome besides the obelisk and the spiral bronze serpent (unfortunately, the head gone missing). So I was bored....
We than proceed to The Blue Mosque. It was built next to Hagia Sophia, accordingly to compete with its architectural. I decided not to do much research on this trip as I felt it will only dampen my expectation as I like the element of surprise or totally mesmerize by it.
To be honest, I'm a little bit disappointed by Blue Mosque. No doubt it has great architecture with its 6 minerats and perfect domes, beautiful blue and colourful mosaics decorated all over the mosque from walls to walls up to ceiling of the domes... it was just OK to me. I think I was too hype up about seeing the Blue Mosque (click for more details) that when I did, it felt like any other mosque.... only older with history attachment to it. Maybe, I was affected by too many tourists that I can't seem to *absorb* the serenity of the mosque.
We than make our merry way to Hagia Sophia also known as The Church of Holy Wisdom or Ayasofya in Turkish, which was 5 mins walking distance. This was once a Byzantine church, turn Ottoman mosque and currently a museum. What we seeing is not the original Hagia Sophia as built by Constantine the Great, but it was rebuilt for the third time by Emperor Justinian (click on link for further details).
Now this place of worship got me clicking my al cheopo camera like I was having the tick!! I was mesmerized by the interior of the building that couple of time I lost my tour guide among the sea of tourists that panic caved in. Seeing the mosaic of Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus found high on the dome right where the mirhab is located was awesome!! I was taken aback how the Sultan was so captivated by the church that he convert it to his imperial mosque by adding mihrab (direction of mecca) and mimbar (pulpit). Here I am, standing in the middle of all these glory able to see it with my own eyes!! This is where I truly wish I have me a dam good camera like the pro uses.. ok ok.. semi pro uses for I could capture much better pics... sigh.
Hesitantly we have to leave the place and head towards Topkapi Palace, which I have yet to download the pic and I will post about it in my next post.
Its almost 1am, Thursday, I'm still jetleg, eyes wide open but mentally tired.
I'm going to count sheep and try go to sleep...
The first day in Turkey, we boarded the bus (straight from the airport) and drive to our first place of interest, the Byzantine Hippodrome. Long time ago it was a politic corner and sport events were held. Part of the lavish Hippodrome was decorated with the Obelisk, from Egypt as a dedication to pharaoh and Constantine. Not much left of the Hippodrome besides the obelisk and the spiral bronze serpent (unfortunately, the head gone missing). So I was bored....
We than proceed to The Blue Mosque. It was built next to Hagia Sophia, accordingly to compete with its architectural. I decided not to do much research on this trip as I felt it will only dampen my expectation as I like the element of surprise or totally mesmerize by it.
To be honest, I'm a little bit disappointed by Blue Mosque. No doubt it has great architecture with its 6 minerats and perfect domes, beautiful blue and colourful mosaics decorated all over the mosque from walls to walls up to ceiling of the domes... it was just OK to me. I think I was too hype up about seeing the Blue Mosque (click for more details) that when I did, it felt like any other mosque.... only older with history attachment to it. Maybe, I was affected by too many tourists that I can't seem to *absorb* the serenity of the mosque.
We than make our merry way to Hagia Sophia also known as The Church of Holy Wisdom or Ayasofya in Turkish, which was 5 mins walking distance. This was once a Byzantine church, turn Ottoman mosque and currently a museum. What we seeing is not the original Hagia Sophia as built by Constantine the Great, but it was rebuilt for the third time by Emperor Justinian (click on link for further details).
Now this place of worship got me clicking my al cheopo camera like I was having the tick!! I was mesmerized by the interior of the building that couple of time I lost my tour guide among the sea of tourists that panic caved in. Seeing the mosaic of Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus found high on the dome right where the mirhab is located was awesome!! I was taken aback how the Sultan was so captivated by the church that he convert it to his imperial mosque by adding mihrab (direction of mecca) and mimbar (pulpit). Here I am, standing in the middle of all these glory able to see it with my own eyes!! This is where I truly wish I have me a dam good camera like the pro uses.. ok ok.. semi pro uses for I could capture much better pics... sigh.
Hesitantly we have to leave the place and head towards Topkapi Palace, which I have yet to download the pic and I will post about it in my next post.
Its almost 1am, Thursday, I'm still jetleg, eyes wide open but mentally tired.
I'm going to count sheep and try go to sleep...
2 comments:
Sweet pictures Gigi. The Blue Mosque looks amazing!
Trust you be good on the Island.
Peace,
Ridwan
Thanks Ridwan... glad you likes the pics, wish i had a better camera.
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