Popular Post TotallyOz Posted March 31, 2015 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2015 I have always been fascinated with the ancient Ottoman Empire since hearing about it in high school. I have always wanted to visit Istanbul. My trip is not so much boytoy or moneyboy related but more of a cultural photo perspective. I am not Tomcal and I don't have tons of boy photos. I am not Firecat and have tons of sex adventures. But, I am enjoying my time in this magical land and I hope some of you will enjoy the photos and the adventure as well. Day 1: Spice Market The Spice Market, or the Egyptian Market, is one of the coolest places to go in Istanbul. It is one of the larger markets and inside you will find tons of spices and places that make Turkish Delight. Naturally, I had to buy a box or two. It was originally called the New Market as it was next to a Mosque that was built from taxes from the Egyptian treasury. There was a big crowd there today but still it was enjoyable to see. ihpguy, AdamSmith, axiom2001 and 6 others 9 Quote
Popular Post TotallyOz Posted March 31, 2015 Author Popular Post Posted March 31, 2015 Day 2 The Bosphorus River Cruise The Bosphorus River runs through Istanbul. It is a legendary river that has been in many films and the mansions that were build on the River date back to the Ottoman empire. There was one that a sultan just purchased for 125 Million USD to renovate for his 2nd wife. The river gives you a nice view of beautiful homes, several bridges, the huge Rumelihisar fortress as well as tons of homes that fill the mountain tops of the river areas.The cruise was a great time but the weather was cold and taking photos in an open air boat got this New Yorker, really cold! MsAnn, flipao, paulsf and 4 others 7 Quote
Members MsAnn Posted March 31, 2015 Members Posted March 31, 2015 Love this Oz. great photographs. Hope you enjoy Istanbul. Do not miss Ephesus, it is a must see, as is the Temple Basilica of St. John. TotallyOz, flipao and axiom2001 3 Quote
Guest Trench Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Enjoyed the photos. If still not too late, visit the collection of Yuan and Ming blue and white porcelain of the palace. Well worth the trip. Quote
paulsf Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Fascinating city. I remember taking the ferry across to the Asian side of the river, just so I could say I have been on the Asian continent. Hope you get to try out a Turkish Bath. TotallyOz and ihpguy 2 Quote
TotallyOz Posted March 31, 2015 Author Posted March 31, 2015 Enjoyed the photos. If still not too late, visit the collection of Yuan and Ming blue and white porcelain of the palace. Well worth the trip. Thank you! I did see them. Wonderful! I also loved the Harem Room. Fascinating city. I remember taking the ferry across to the Asian side of the river, just so I could say I have been on the Asian continent. Hope you get to try out a Turkish Bath. I have been in the EU side as I am at the Intercon and it is adjacent to Taksim Square. Great area and easy to get everywhere. But, traffic is horrible. I did a Turkish Bath as well. LOVED it! More to come on that later. Love this Oz. great photographs. Hope you enjoy Istanbul. Do not miss Ephesus, it is a must see, as is the Temple Basilica of St. John. Thank you. I will try on next trip. I only have one more day and I have a tour in AM. And, Ephesus is 9 hour driver away. ihpguy 1 Quote
Popular Post TotallyOz Posted March 31, 2015 Author Popular Post Posted March 31, 2015 My first night I did meet a taxi driver that was very cute. He had manicured hands, clean shaven and designer clothes. I asked him where the gay bars were just to find out if he was gay and he told me. He and I chatted. It was a bad chat as he speaks no English. But, i did take him to dinner that night. He was very sweet and taller than me (I'm 6'2"). I have another meeting with him on the trip and he will take me back to airport when I leave. ihpguy, flipao, MsGuy and 3 others 6 Quote
Popular Post AdamSmith Posted March 31, 2015 Popular Post Posted March 31, 2015 ihpguy, TotallyOz, flipao and 3 others 6 Quote
Popular Post TotallyOz Posted March 31, 2015 Author Popular Post Posted March 31, 2015 The Hagia Sophia was a Greek Orthodox Church and then a Mosque and now a museum. It portrays many beautiful mosaics from the New Testament and it very lovely to see. It also tells a lot about the value that the Turkish placed on historical buildings. It is a example of Byzantine architecture and it was the largest domed church in the world for nearly 1,000 years. The church was converted to a Muslim Mosque when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople and many of the Christian symbols were destroyed but the building itself stood tall.Today was rainy and wet and messy and there was a line around the block. My driver told me at least 2 hours. I was not willing to wait. But, a guy approached us and said for an extra 3USD he would take me to the front of the line and get me in. I was doubtful but agreed. It worked great and no wait time. He did the same thing for the Cistern an hour or two later. I tipped him both times and he followed me saying “my friend, my friend.” LOL But, I think I pissed off more than a few who were waiting properly with umbrellas and rain gear. ihpguy, flipao, MsAnn and 3 others 6 Quote
Members lookin Posted March 31, 2015 Members Posted March 31, 2015 Sure wish I could have stood with you under the dome in the Hagia Sophia!A few weeks ago, there was an interesting program on Nova trying to figure out how that amazing structure, huge and open as it was, could stand solidly for 1500 years in earthquake country.They also used some high-tech gizmos to peer behind the centuries of changes to see what some of the original Christian adornments looked like.Apparently, no shortage of gold in those days! ihpguy, AdamSmith, TotallyOz and 1 other 4 Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 1, 2015 Members Posted April 1, 2015 Love this Oz. great photographs. Hope you enjoy Istanbul. Do not miss Ephesus, it is a must see, as is the Temple Basilica of St. John. Damn, Oz: Is this coincidental or what? Just this morning I canceled the trip to Spain and Portugal in 2016 and have now opted to travel to Turkey to Istanbul and to the places mentioned by Ms Ann. Haven't decided on a specific date, for the tour is greater than a year away, but I am excited anyway and will begin reading and planning. I truly appreciate your sharing the enticing photos which are brilliant on my computer screen. TotallyOz 1 Quote
Members Popular Post MsGuy Posted April 1, 2015 Members Popular Post Posted April 1, 2015 Is it later yet? AdamSmith, ihpguy, mvan1 and 4 others 7 Quote
Guest Trench Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 WOW Same from here. But do tell us too about what you ate, I mean the food. Quote
Popular Post TotallyOz Posted April 1, 2015 Author Popular Post Posted April 1, 2015 Same from here. But do tell us too about what you ate, I mean the food. I have eaten at many places including a fish place near the bridge and a restaurant called Platinum near the old city and it has a glass floor that you can see the caverns below. very cool. But, for photos, here is one place I ate outside the palace that I liked the kabob's. lookin, AdamSmith, MsAnn and 2 others 5 Quote
Popular Post TotallyOz Posted April 1, 2015 Author Popular Post Posted April 1, 2015 A minaret is a distinctive architectural feature of mosques and this one was taken outside the great Blue Mosque in Istanbul today! The others are from the Blue Mosque as well. I went on a tour inside. It is still an active Mosque so you must take your shoes off before you go inside and there are those that are praying. It was a beautiful Mosque! paulsf, Theolover, MsAnn and 4 others 7 Quote
Members ihpguy Posted April 1, 2015 Members Posted April 1, 2015 Oz, I just got back from 4 weeks in Europe. At the Casa Mila in Barcelona, Alcazar in Seville and Alhambra and Generalife in Granada, I paid the extra 3-5Euros to go to the head of the line with a guide. flipao, TotallyOz and episevilla 3 Quote
TotallyOz Posted April 1, 2015 Author Posted April 1, 2015 lookin, AdamSmith, boiworship and 1 other 4 Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 2, 2015 Members Posted April 2, 2015 Is it later yet? I've had one 4hands massage during my lifetime; it happened in "The Big Apple" and was stellar to say the least. When I go to Turkey next year, I do hope to partake or have one performed on me. Hope it's highly sensual and erotic as well as thera.... TotallyOz 1 Quote
paulsf Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 The massages at the Turkish Baths, may be a bit on the sensual side, but if your looking for erotic, probably not going to happen. They'll give you a towel to wear, and hands everywhere with strong massage, but they stop short of erotic. The Bath houses are usually very ornate, and in most places the massage will be a bit more public than your used to. But you get lost in the whole experience and you probably won't miss the erotic part. axiom2001 and TotallyOz 2 Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 2, 2015 Members Posted April 2, 2015 The massages at the Turkish Baths, may be a bit on the sensual side, but if your looking for erotic, probably not going to happen. They'll give you a towel to wear, and hands everywhere with strong massage, but they stop short of erotic. The Bath houses are usually very ornate, and in most places the massage will be a bit more public than your used to. But you get lost in the whole experience and you probably won't miss the erotic part. Thanks for sharing! I do believe that I was letting my imagination get the better of me! Again, thanks! I appreciate your take on the matter! axiom2001, Theolover and TotallyOz 3 Quote
Members Theolover Posted April 12, 2015 Members Posted April 12, 2015 Thanks for sharing you experience. love the photos TotallyOz 1 Quote
Members miller Posted April 16, 2015 Members Posted April 16, 2015 Thank you so much for your awesome travelogue. I enjoyed,devoured your fascinating adventures. The photos are quite amazing,from the grand mosques to the palaces and of course the delectable cuisine. It makes we want to go back to Istanbul and I hope to later this year. Keep exploring and many thanks for sharing TotallyOz 1 Quote
Members miller Posted April 16, 2015 Members Posted April 16, 2015 Thank you so much for your awesome travelogue. I enjoyed,devoured your fascinating adventures. The photos are quite amazing,from the grand mosques to the palaces and of course the delectable cuisine. It makes we want to go back to Istanbul and I hope to later this year. Keep exploring and many thanks for sharing TotallyOz 1 Quote
Members MsGuy Posted April 16, 2015 Members Posted April 16, 2015 IS IT LATER YET? TotallyOz, AdamSmith and lookin 3 Quote
