Turkey - Istanbul

Smiling weary-eyed at Istanbul Ataturk Airport after an 11-hour flight

Day 1 of what has to be my best holiday yet.

We were in Egypt? Originally erected by Egyptian pharoah Thutmosis, the Obelisk stood in Ancient Egypt for hundreds of years before findings its place at Sultanahmet Square

The Blue Mosque, the belle of Istanbul

One of the Blue Mosque's six minarets

Inside the Blue Mosque

I was very much intrigued by how much the floorings of the Blue Mosque's compound took on the shape of the Star of David. Our tour guide pointed out a slight difference. The stars are joined together in a continuous fashion - the sign of an omnipresent God.

Entrance to Topkapi palace, residence of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years

Second entrance to Topkapi Palace.

It still amazes me somewhat how a predominantly Muslim country with a large Asian influence and heritage can be so Walt-Disney like in its architecture