The freezing cold weather is upon us again and what better time to rush outside like friging idiots, armed with the digital camera, to catch some fun and frivolities in amongst the snow.
This movie, taken from home, is of the first day of snow in Istanbul, brrrrrrrrrr......
Here are a few snaps of our Christmas celebrations at Adnan's house on December 24th...
A greek, an American and a Turk
Selen & I contemplating the use of the key? ring gift
L-R: Işıl, Birnur, Adnan;
Welcome friends of Thomas from Belgium
The 2007 Istanbul Christmas Crew
In the mix
Top down
These days the weather is getting cooler but the early morning views are a treat for early risers.
Bugünlerde hava soğuk oluyor ama insanlar erken kalkarsa sabah sabah manzarası zevk veriyor.
We were fortunate enough to experience the very finest four days in Antalya recently as we were treated to the last days of Turkish Summer. Each day averaged 26 egrees and we were spoilt to be able to bask in the Mediterranean each day.
I look out my window today and that Antalya experience only days ago seems only possible to have been many weeks ago. I know that the welcome rain will become a familiar sight over the winter months. The streets will once again become very difficult to walk, the roads will become choked and the pace of the city will slow to a near halt as the inadequate infrastructure strains to cope with the adversities of winter in Istanbul.
Istinye, Istanbul Turkey
...but Sultan Mehmet II built Rumeli Hisarı (The Rumeli Fortress) on the shore of the Bosphorus Sea in just 4 months, between April and August in 1452. Covering an area of 30000 square meters, Rumeli Hisarı was built on the narrowest part of the Bosphorus Sea to protect the Ottoman Empire from unwelcome visitors.
Rumeli Hisarı from outside
Looking from Rumeli Hisarı across the Bosphrous Sea
Looking from Rumeli Hisarı across the Bosphrous Sea to Anatolian Turkey
Rumeli Hisarı - The fortress walls
For Easter Sunday ( Paskalya) we went for a day trip to the Princes' Islands, specifically, Büyük Ada (The Big Island) which is situated about 20km southeast of the city, a two hour ferry ride from the European side of Istanbul where we live.
Büyük Ada is one of 9 islands in the Princes' Island Group, 5 of which are populated. Apart from essential services vehicles, the only forms of transport on the island are horse & cart or bicycle. Thankfully we were blessed with perfect weather to make the day even more enjoyable for our round-island cycling trip.
Architecture (Büyük Ada)
Architecture (Büyük Ada)
Riding rental bikes (Büyük Ada)
Riding rental bikes (Büyük Ada)
Taking In the scenery (Büyük Ada)
Transport on Büyük Ada
Last night we had a friend drop in for dinner unexpectedly. After dinner, I thought World War III was breaking out but quickly realized that we were being treated to a fireworks show.
