Ladee's Travels

5/19/2012 It will be interesting to look at the city as we sail away now that some of the landscape is familiar. I can't wait to see the view, so I scurry up to the 15th deck to take photos while we are still in port. These appear to be office buildings along side the dock. You can see that the hills start rising fairly close to shore. The look back at the new section of Istanbul. The high rise section is on the hill on the left side of the photo. Plenty of satellite dishes. Large windows offer a great view of the Bosphorus Strait. I zoomed in to see a remaining foundation made in to what appears to be a park. The mosques rise stately above the trees. Fisherman are still trying for a few more bites. One of the many ferries is zipping along to shore. Some of the passengers are waving at us. We pause for a moment, waiting for the traffic to clear. Once we are moving, it is not easy to stop us. There are a lot of ferries. A look at the shore. We drove a...

One more opportunity to see the sites of Istanbul as we make our way back to the Crown Princess. This is a nice sunny spot to enjoy lunch. As I looked down the street, I spotted a young boy in a costume, walking with his parents. You can see him behind this tree.  This is his "Circumcision Day".  Most Turkish boys are circumcised between the ages of three and nine.  It is an occasion for dancing, celebration, and photo taking. The boys dress in colorful Pasha style costumes.  What is "Pasha"?  This was a high rank in the Ottoman Empire political system.  Learn more about "Pasha"...click here. This was the corner of a large walled section. This building is decorated not only with the flag, but with baskets of flowers hanging from the balcony.  Very pretty. What we all need.  A little bit of Birlik Bufe. The owners are putting up their celebratory flag. The busy street in the modern part of town. This is part of the mode...

We left the Grand Bazaar and began to make our way back to the tour group meeting spot.  The street vendors were still working it and making the air smell very good.  I think that this was the chestnut guy, so while I like the smell, I am not fond of the taste. One of the many mosques is shown in the background of the next photo. About this time we heard the call to prayer.  The singing fills the air.  And then I couldn't help but laugh to myself.  Do you remember the story of my cousin climbing the stairs to use the announcement system?  She was using the instruments that the mosque uses to call to prayer.  Imagine their surprise when they heard "Tooooootsie.  Tooooootsie."  Hugs to the family!!  You bring me such joy!  The street is still busy with tourists, enjoying the sunshine and the seats.  This must be a break time before the after work crowd takes to the street.  The color continues in the shop windo...