Basilica Cistern
We kicked the day off with some hilarious shenanigans in the Basilica Cistern.
The Basilica Cistern is an enormous underground structure that was used as a fresh water reservoir. It contains recycled Roman columns, meaning that each column is unique (not uniform). It occupies roughly 2 American football fields worth of space.
There were two pillars with Medusa's head carved into them. These were supposed to be one of the main attractions, but I found them to be the least interesting part of this adventure.
Big fish!
Blue Mosque
Next we met up with the Hendricksons and wandered toward the Blue Mosque.
Hagia Sofia is directly across from the Blue Mosque
Oh look, the fountain turned on!
Ray and the Blue Mosque
Getting closer!
Mosque courtyard
Mosque Interior Panning
I felt that all the lights hanging down on strings kind of took away from the size and architectural beauty of the mosque. Super high ceilings, yet the lighting produced an effective 8 foot ceiling that made it feel a little claustrophobic. I don't understand the purpose of this suspended lighting system. It seemed like there was plenty sufficient natural lighting through the windows already anyways.
Quickview of above in case you don't want to load Youtube
Model of something found inside the mosque.
(looks important!)
Cats
Oh look, stray cats in the tree we had been sitting under while waiting for the boat.
Well he looks comfy
These 2 guys were wrestling
Boating!
2-story boat! Fancy pants!
Under the famous bridge
Look up, up and away!
A cool castle along the Bosphorus Stright
Ooh, purty lights on the bridge
Bosphorus Bridge Blinking Lights
Quickview of above in case you don't want to load Youtube
It was an AWESOME boat ride, and a great opportunity to meet everyone!
Hookah
After we all went our separate ways for dinner. Ray and I had some delicious Manti (meat and cheese ravioli with yogurt sauce and tomato sauce). Then a big group met up again for hookah. I did not partake because my chronic cough is acting up and I do not want to irritate my throat. But it was fun to socialize and watch a lot of first timers give hookah a try.
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