I managed to find some time to visit a few places today. Pics below:
View of Istanbul from Turquhouse Hotel at Pierrelotti where I am staying:
The tram from Taksim Square along Iktiklal Caddessi towards Tunel
The entrance to Sultanahmet Mosque (The Blue Mosque)
View of Sultanahmet Mosque from Hagia Sofia
View of Hagia Sofia from Sultanahmet Mosque
Inside Hagia Sofia, a mosaic of Virgin Mary in between the two discs with Allah and Muhammad on them. (In Hagia Sofia, I also bumped into a group of Malaysians – members and friends of Wadah, the ABIM “alumni” – who are touring Istanbul today)
Entrance to Topkapi Palace. I have to also say that, I was a bit disappointed with the Topkapi. it was beautiful, but not as beautiful as I thought it would be. I supposed that was because beforethis, I had Alhambra in mind whenever Topkapi was mentioned. Now, having visited Topkapi, I can say that it doesn’t even come near.
In the middle is Galata Tower (view from Topkapi)
Entrance to the Harem in Topkapi. My tour guide said that the Ottoman Sultans had up to 800 concubines, and up to 600 eunuchs. The Black eunuchs looked after the concubines. But the White eunuchs, being fairer and “cuter”, were used for sex by some of the Sultans, making some of the Ottoman Sultans bisexual. Having hundreds of concubines is enough to raise myeyebrows, but being bisexual???Can anyone verify or refute that please?
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