The document provides details about various locations visited in Istanbul, Turkey, including the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Basilica Cistern. It also mentions the Greek artifact collection at the Archaeology Museum and sights in Gallipoli commemorating World War I. The writer expresses uncertainty about an alleged coffin of Alexander the Great and feelings of conflict around observing Sufi worship.

1. Blue Mosque Interior The Blue Mosque is located in Istanbul and is very much in use today.

2. Blue Mosque, Instanbul

3. Blue Mosque, Instanbul

4. Athena Archaeology Musem, Istanbul Turkey contains the largest collection of Ancient Greek artifacts and archaeological sites.

5. Polyhymnia Archaeology Museum, Istanbul

6. Sappho Archaeology Museum, Istanbul

7. Sarcophagous Archaeology Museum, Istanbul

8. Tomb of Alexander the Great? Archaeology Museum, Istanbul The plaques in this museum had only titles in English, and explanations in Turkish. I am uncertain this could actually be Alexander’s coffin!

9. Topkapi Palace Gounds, Istanbul

10. Topkapi Palace Harem Room, Istanbul This is said to be where the harem would wait to entertain. The room features benches, a huge bed, and a very large chandelier.

11. View of the Bosphorous River Topkapi Palace Gounds, Istanbul

12. Interior Hagia Sophia, Istanbul This mosque has at various times also been a temple and a church. Iconography from all religions remains within the interior.

13. Altar Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

14. Christian Mural Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

15. Tilework Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

16. Christian Mosaic Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

17. Jesus and Mary Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

18. Basilica Cistern, Istanbul Perhaps my favorite tourist attraction in Instabul. An underground cistern with walkways built through it. Sculptures of heads of Medusa decorate the cistern.

19. Basilica Cistern, Istanbul

20. Istanbul From Europe, looking across the Bosporus to Asia.

21. Bosporus, Istanbul

22. Bazaar, Istanbul

23. Spices at a bazaar, Istanbul

24. Coffee, Istanbul

25. Sufi worship, Istanbul I felt conflicted about paying to watch the worship of another. However, the beauty of both the spinning and the music were amazing to behold.

26. Musicians at a café, Istanbul

27. Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Memorials, grave sites and abandoned bunkers mark this WWI site. ANZAC = Australia New Zealand Auxiliary Corps

28. Hills, Gallipoli

29. Eceabat

30. Eceabat Note the mural of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on the building.

31. Çanakkale I believe the fish we ate was fresh from the sea.

32. Goodbye! Have a good Journey! G üle güle!