Greece-Turkey Day 3: Istanbul

Last night we sailed through the Dardanelles from the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. I’m up early on a very brisk morning as we approach Istanbul.

The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from on board the Louis Cristal
Istanbul, Turkey • 41°0’22.94″ N 28°59’45.32″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 55 mm • ISO 100 • 1/400 sec at f/8.0

The first stop is Topkapi Palace, a place I’ve want to visit ever since seeing the 1964 heist film Topkapi with Robert Morley, Maximillian Schell, and Peter Ustinov.

Sightseeing at Topkapi Palace
Istanbul, Turkey • 41°0’43.68″ N 28°59’2.14″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/1600 sec at f/2.8

From Topkapi we walk to Hagia Sofia …

Touring Hagia Sofia
Istanbul, Turkey • 41°0’31.03″ N 28°58’47.68″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/40 sec at f/2.8

… stop for lunch at Buhara Restuarant, and then on to the Blue Mosque.

Touring the Blue Mosque
Istanbul, Turkey • 41°0’19.31″ N 28°58’36.65″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 12-24 mm f/4 at 12 mm • ISO 3200 • 1/30 sec at f/4.0

Next we tour underground Istanbul and see the Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century to store rain water.

In the Basilica Cistern beneath the city of Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey • 41°0’30.24″ N 28°58’40.59″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 3200 • 1/15 sec at f/2.8

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, so at midnight aboard the Louis Cristal we attend Greek Orthodox Easter Mass.

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