Istanbul!

I enjoyed a nice complimentary breakfast at the hostel this morning - tea, boiled egg, bread, cucumber, tomatoes and olives.  After breakfast as I started exploring the area, I discovered when I took my camera out, that somehow during my travel  my camera had been damaged.  It was very puzzling to me, as I had it in a wellpadded camera bag as carry on luggage throughout my journey.  At the end of the lens, where I luckily had a UV filter on - the cover was indented and I could see glass shards on the edges.  I immediately went in search of a camera shop on the main street through the tourist area - and found one not too far away.  The owner was able to pry open the cover and the entire UV filter was in glass pieces, but luckily the lens was undamaged.  The rest of the camera was undamaged - he used his brushes to clean it off and remove all the glass pieces.  The outer cover was not recoverable and he did have another UV filter that fit the lens, and so I was able to replace it.  Thank goodness for the UV filter that I bought years ago, or the lens may have been smashed to pieces.  I can't even explain how it may have been impacted so badly. 

Here's a tip to anyone owning a Digital SLR camera - buy a UV filter (a mere $15) for your camera if you haven't already - it may save you $500 by not having to purchase a new lens if something similar should ever happen to you. 


I began to wander, taking in the sights and the sounds of the touristy area, as I would call it.  Hundreds of people from all walks of life and ethnicities were taking in the the sites of Istanbul.  I passed the Obelisk of Theodosius (Egyptian in Origin) - brought to Constantinople in 390 AD - originally erected circa 1500 BC by Tutmosis III in Karnak.  The hieroglyphs depict the victories of the pharaohs.  I then explored the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque (built from 1609-1616).  From there I went on to the Hagia Sophia Museum.  The first church on this site was built between 325-360 AD.  After fires, earthquakes and wars - the church you see now is quite different from the original.  Hagia Sophia was declared a national monument and became a museum in 1934.  Many of the older Mosaics are still there, which were amazing to see.

Obelisk in front of Blue Mosque

 

Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia 

 

I walked down to the waterfront - the sea of Marmara - Just south of the Bosphorous which connects the Black sea with the Mediterranean.  Got to see the locals fishing, boating, walking - was great to sit by the water.

Waterfront of Istanbul - on the European side looking across to the Asian Side

Boats on the Sea of Marmara

I took the suggestion of some friends (Thanks Mark and Cynthia) to try the Cemberlitas Hamam.  Hamam is another word for Turkish Traditional Bath.  They have heated marble slabs, thermal pools, massage therapy and relaxation areas - very similar to a deluxe spa experience in other parts of the world.  Very relaxing.

Tonight for supper - I joined Lee from China and Leo from Mexico and had some great chicken donairs from a nice little cafe.  I will be uploading some photos from today now - and will try and label them once uploaded.  I have an early start tomorrow - heading on a day tour to Gallipoli.