Istanbul

My family and I visited Turkey for winter break. Istanbul -> Gallipoli -> Troy -> Pergamom -> Ephesus -> Batumi -> Kutaisi -> Akhaltsikhe.

Blue Mosque

The back column is what's left of the Hippodrome.

A gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II. Bad call, Young Turks.

Hagia Sophia

Church -> Mosque -> Museum

Ottoman Sultan's tombs on the premises.

Entrance to the Harem at Topkapi Palace, where the Ottoman Sultans ruled.

The Golden Cage, where the heirs to the throne were kept imprisoned in luxury until it was their time to rule.

Ottoman Seal

Ottoman Coat of Arms

Galata Tower

The Panorama 1453 Museum, which details Sultan Mehmed II's capture of Constantinople. It has an awesome (wait for it) panorama of the event inside. The Theodosian Walls are in the background.

Chora Church, a museum full of beautiful mosaics.

Istanbul is full of stray cats, inside and out.

The Column of Constantine next to the Grand Bazaar.

I like squirrels.

Sarah likes Ataturk.

Sarah and I hiked along the Theodosian Walls near Topkapi Palace. They are largely inhabited by homeless people, who also have the best view of the Bosphorus.

Among the sketchier things I've done: Sarah and I hiked along a train track until we came to a station, hopped up on the boarding platform, and exited the station.

The Basilica Cistern, where water was stored in ancient Constantinople.

Medusa Head

Valens Aqueduct

Rumelihisari, a fortress I saw on a Bosphorus tour.

I also saw a Turkish submarine, nbd.