I’ve just got back from Istanbul, which was a real experience for me. It was the first time I’ve visited a country with a strong muslim presence, and it was inspiring to see all the mosques and hear the calls to prayer across the city each day. I feel like religion in the western world is slowly becoming less visible, as churches seem to be moving from chapels to big warehouse type buildings. Having the mosques dominate the Istanbul skyline set it apart from anywhere else i have visited, and the amount of culture there was something I will never forget. Here are a few of my favourites from my time away, and I’ll likely add a second batch of images shortly.
Amazing stairs and passages tucked away everywhere.
Awesome to see so many people fishing in the rivers, not like the Thames at all!
The smells, colour and sounds of the Grand Bazaar. Real amazing experience!
I took a photo of this little space because I felt like it would be the ideal location to film a turkish B movie fight scene.
Made sure to check out some of the tourist stuff, this is the inside of the Hagia Sophia.
And this is a view of the Blue Mosque, from the Hagia Sophia.
There are wild cats everywhere in Istanbul. Hundreds of them all over the place, these three made me smile.
Was crossing the bridge when I turned around to this sight of utter majesty. Little did I know, I was just getting started for amazing moments that evening.
Considered going up the Galata Tower, but decided to try to find an alternate view, so the tower would be in shot.
And oh wow, did we find one.
Click above for a larger view.
Somehow, I managed to mission through the streets of Istanbul and wound up here. I met this awesome Turkish guy named Murat, who kindly let us onto his roof and we were blessed with this stunning vista. A memory I will never forget. Thanks to Neil for this very special photo of me. (Warning, big file, might take a moment to load)
Istanbul nights, waiting for sunrise.
And what a sunrise it was. Istanbul, you took my breath away.