10-02-09 The Blue Mosque, The Cistern and The Palace

Istanbul

Its our final full day in Istanbul and we packed it so full of historical sites , we are absolutely exhausted!!   The Blue Mosque pictured above is one of the most distinctive sites in Istanbul.   It is the blue tiles on the inside of the mosque that lend to the name , but the outside is just as spectactular!!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

It was touristy as all get out which is the reason we chose to put it off till the last minute.  Luckily this is low season and not too bad as far as tourist sites go.  The Turks are so polite too….never any of the push peddling of wares except for the Turkish Carpet salesmen who each are from wherever you tell them you are from….it’s so fun to BS them and they are good sports when they find you have been just as manipulative as they are

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Above is a guy roasting chestnuts and corn…yummy!!

Our favorite line from a vendor was today.  He said “if you are looking for a place to get rid of your money…come in and see my rugs”  Now THATS HONEST!! lol!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

These planters were so unexpected in front of the Mosque

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

One of the spires on the Blue Mosque…can you believe that blue sky and how we lucked out on the weather..especially after those terrible floods here 3 weeks ago

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Bling had to stay outside the Mosque because she forgot to bring a head scarf and long sleeves…no biggie..Steve went inside and did a video and took photos we will show  and Bling later!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Steve discovers a new way to scratch a kitty without getting bit or starting to itch ..he’s so allergic.  The cats followed him around like he was their idol

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

That’s shortie me alongside the Egyptian Obelisk…this was so impressive

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

A closeup of some of the detailed hieroglyphs

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

A cutie bead salesman by the Mosque

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

We are now heading to the Mosaic Museum

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

The streets were dotted with vendors with colorful wares

Istanbul

This museum was AWESOME…the Byzantine mosaics were unearthed and restored…each tile only a bit larger than 1/4″

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

The color was actually the stone color and not paint

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Looking down at one of the floor panels from above

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

The 3 bears were my favorite.  The mother bear is plucking pomegranates out of the tree and tossing them to her baby

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Time for a Turkish Tea break!! We found the most awesome cafe and we were the ONLY ones there.  We sat right under the Blue Mosque and lo and behold the Call to Prayer started about 20 minutes after we arrived.

GO TO THE UPPER LEFT  COLUMN OF THE BLOG TO HEAR FOR YOURSLEVES WHAT MILLIONS COME TO EXPERIENCE IN PERSON!!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Here is the cafe right under the dome

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

The cooles thing is this cafe is the excavation site of the mosaics!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Now back out and about to head to the Roman Cistern

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Some colorful scenes enroute by foot

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

I loved this fountain.

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

How cute is this

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Talk about a statement!! Its the only thing purple I can recall here

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

The ancient Cistern of Roman times was surreal!!  Click here to read about the history..it is fascinating as was the site.  I could have stayed there for hours

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Weird photo I took with a long exposure!! Almost like aparitions of the past

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Fish were swimming in the water.  I had goosebumps the entire time we were down there.  It was like being transported back in time

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

The columns were massive and intricately carved…this is all under ground

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

The perfect mirror reflection

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Here’s those pale pomegranates I was telling you about yesterday

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Our last stop was the Topkopi Palace on the top of the hill overlooking Istanbul

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Look at the interesting markings on this kitty!!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

I’d love to know what kind of tree this is.  It had maple shaped leaves

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Lots of gold gilt everywere

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Of course I see the walkways as art!!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

And look at this rooftop!

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

Bling has hit the wall…she needs a break and a brew before we return by subway to the hotel

Final day in Istganbul visiting the Blue Mosque, The Cistern, and the Palace

And one final pit stop at the local Starbucks to get our Istanbul mug to add to our growing collection!!!

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About Sandra Miller

My name is Sandra Miller and I love to ART. I enjoy my studio and home in beautiful Portland Oregon with my husband Steve and our charming Finnish Lapphund dog named Ihana