Riding on Ferries

Yesterday we slept in a little, enjoyed our breakfast on the terrace (beautiful veiw), and got on our way.

We first took a ferry to Dolmabache Palace. The last 6 Sultans lived here. Not quite as big as the other palace (the Harem here hand only 285 rooms) it was still huge. There was definitely a European influence that was not present in the other palace. The parts of the pallace that foreign dignitaries would see were really over the top in their elegance. Every room was completely symetrical. Even presents sent by rulers of other nations had to come in twos. There is a 4 and 1/2 ton waterford crystal Chandelier in one room. Really, just over the top.

The Harem was much more simple, but still beautiful.

We spent the afternoon/ evening taking a boat tour of the Boshporous which divides the European and Asian sides of the city. As we pulled out from teh port we could hear the call to prayer from several different mosques. The ride was beautiful.

Today we are getting ready to head to Efeses. The ruins there are supposed to be quite impressive. We'll be away from Istanbul for two nights, and get back here in time for one more afternoon in Istanbul before I head out and Chris heads back to Dushanbe. We've seen so much already, but there is still so much to come in the next two days... at least 100 more pictures. Ha ha.