Pictures of Istanbul

Check this link for my online photo album of Istanbul, I admit being quite lazy and having only put the nicest pics :)

http://picasaweb.google.com/joellekueng/istanbul

Again, this city is a must see, with a good guide book that is, in order to understand all the history behind it. Imagine that Hagia Sofia was first built in ~530 after JC, during the roman times when Constantinople was the capital of the Roman Empire, and then was converted to a Mosque when Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror invaded Istanbul almost 1000 years later! Luckily, instead of just tearing down all the christian mosaïcs and symbols, these were just covered up, which makes it possible nowadays to see the original mosaïcs and paintings of the Roman times, together with the religious muslim symbols, all in one place.

I could go on and on, but have to get to work, already looking forward to my next vacations... :) but who isn't ;)

Istanbul, first impressions

Istanbul is an amazingly beautiful and vibrant city, which is a must see, west meets east, history around every corner, delicious food, mosqus and churches, palaces and markets...

What made it even more special, was having the best host ever, Selim aka Slim Dusty ;) who not only hosted us and showed us around, but gave us some insight in Turkey's culture and people. Being there during the controversed president's elections was really interesting as well.

More pictures to come...