Sile, my other side of the Black Sea

Sile is a small town on the coast of the Black Sea. It's an hour's drive from Istanbul and this is where K's parents live. We payed them a visit and on our second day there, we went for a walk in the marina.This was a playgroung where K and I decided to remember how it felt to be a kid. So we dried the swings and everything else :)
As you can see, the sky was pretty clear that day and it was also quite warm. This was my second time to see the sea during winter. Same see, but from different sides, after an about 14 years gap...




The view was indeed breath-taking...I would go back there anytime!

InsideAyasofya - Hagia Sophia

Just across the street, on the same European side of the city, Ayasofya was wating for its tourists. It takes about 2 minutes to get from Sultanahmet to this ex-Christian church, later transformed in mosque. It costs 15YTL to see it for foreigners and only 3YTL for Turks...So K. thought I should pretend to be Turkish...It was not that hard, just had to shut up for a few minutes. OK, it was not impossible...This huge marble bowl was made from one block of marble only. There are two in the mosque, facing eachother.
Ayasofya is significantly darker than Sultanahmet, mostly due to the fact that it's being renovated. It made picture-taking a bit difficult.
Ceremonial cleansing before prayer takes place here. Actually this small building in the mosque's courtyard was my favorite from Ayasofya
Nearby, a reminder that nothing lasts forever...This is what's left from a huge triumph arch...
Another attraction of the Sultanahmet neigborhood, Sultanamhet Koftecisi. We had some traditional kofte here, along with some rice and salad, and I discovered I loved ayran, a youghurt like drink, only a lot better!
It's said this restaurant that has been arroung since 1920 is the most copied restaurant in Istanbul. However, this only brings it more popularity, as we all crave for the real thing!

The Blue Mosque - Sultanahmet Camii

The Blue Mosque, the place I was warned not to miss while in Istanbul. It turned out to be as beautifull as they said it would be.
Lighted by the sun, the color that gave the name to the mosque...blue, K's favorite color.
My favorite part of the whole building...
One of Turkey's symbols, a perfect fit for the Mosque's garden.

First pictures from Istanbul

A breath taking view of the City of Two Continents...Pictures taken from Asia, glancing towards Europe. It was indeed an inspiring view on a warm winter morning...No wind, no serious clouds, just sunshine and hot cay (tea)!
Now I see these pictures and there warmth and beauty...This is my neverending summer lighting the cold Bucharest winter...
If you are wondering, the two dark looking towers you see on the other side, they are actually called "Twin Towers".