Istanbul [4] (60 minutes)
A very quick look at the common tourist sites, followed by – The Whirling Dervishes (including video clips); Yerebatan Cistern; Archaeology Museum; Fatih District; Gülhane Park; Sirkeci; Istanbul’s Trams; and Evening in Eminonu.
Fun Fare ! (40 minutes)
Ramazan is a fun time in Istanbul. Spice Bazaar; Views of the preparations and lots of festivities. Includes video clips with sound. (Available as an add-on to ‘There be Dragons’)
Get up really early and you can miss the hordes visiting the Blue Mosque
In the final sequence of dervish whirling, the shekh joins in, representing the sun around which the planets orbit
The Yerebatan (Underground) cistern. Over the years the lighting has been made more and more red, and difficult
Panel from the Babylon Ishtar gate. Museum of the Ancient Orient
Iznik ceramics display. Tile Museum
Up-market tespih in the Grand Bazaar
Gold display in the Grand Bazaar
Showing a finished piece of ebru
A tasty snack
The tram (and bus) network in Istanbul is extensive and worth using
'Non-stop Service'.
Making the fish sandwiches in Eminönü
Evening at the Galata Bridge
Cheese on sale near the Spice Bazaar
Mısır (corn) either süt (poached in water) or közde (heated over charcoal)
Food stalls in the Hippodrome during Ramazan
Hagia Sofya in the evening with the fountain running
Mahya (hanging words in lights between minarets) is a specific art form used during Ramazan
Parading in the evening
A mangal (horizontal doner) used for Cağ Kebab