Photos from the back of the boat

The back of the boat was a nice place to be during the cruise - partly because it was not as loud as inside the boat with all the loud music playing, but also because it was where you could actually see the beauty of the night scene.  My camera didn't take amazing photos, but this gives you a bit of a view of what we saw.

A cruise down the Bosphorus

Our last night in Istanbul we took a boat cruise on the Bosphorus River - the river that seperates the European side of Istanbul from the Asian side.  It wasn't our favorite part of the week, but it had some high points.  :)  Here are some photos...

me & Bethany

Amanda and one of the crazy dancers!

A traditional Turkish dance

Dancing girls

The bellydancer...she was AMAZING!

Teaching one of the dudes to dance.

The Henna Ceremony dance

More traditional dancing

These two were very energetic!

And a little humor for you...the last round of Muscial Chairs featuring me & the other woman...watch to see who wins!  :)

Views from our hotel

Here are some photos that we took from the window of our hotel room and some that were taken at street level.  I really liked the area that we stayed in.  It seemed to be a nice mix of hotels, businesses and residences.  I felt very safe there -even when out at night. 

Friendly Turks

We found the people in Istanbuld to be very kind and helpful.  They were very proud of their country and wanted to share their culture with you.  The also were looking to make a sale!  :)

This kind shopkeeper offered us some apple tea as we shopped in his store one morning. Bethany bought a lovely ink drawing of the whirling dervishes and Amanda bought some scarves. I just drank the tea and enjoyed all the beautiful items in the store.

A flower made from a napkin that a Turkish admirer made for me.  :)

This is our "Charlie's Angels" pose that we did in to help us remember the friendly shopkeeper that called us "Charlie's Angels" when we were walking the streets of Istanbul one afternoon!  :)

And a look from the European side...

We took photos on Tuesday night of us on the Asian side, so we diecided that we should get some from the European side as well.  Here you go!

Looking at Asia

Me!  You can see the Galata Tower off in the distance!

Bethany, me, and Amanda

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque was lovely.  We enjoyed being able to view it between prayer times on Wednesday.  Here are some photos that don't do the beauty justice! 

The interior of a dome

Another lovely dome

There was a lot of natural light.

There was a lot of artifical light as well!

There were no chairs or pews because they kneel on the floor to pray.

It just looks so different to me not to have anyplaces to sit.

Tiles on one of the archways

Covering our heads out of respect

The front of the room

My fun travelling companions!

This was the first trip I have taken with Amanda or Bethany.  I was hopeful that we would travel well together and we did!  Here are a couple funny photos from our trip.  :)

Hotel Agan - "Feel Yourself at Home"

We got a chuckle out of this poorly translated sign each time we got in the elevator! 

Amanda giving me the Turkish eyes!