Day 2: Istanbul

This is the day we went sightseeing as a team together with DOT (Digital Opportunity Trust). We are still considered brand new so it was a good opportunity to mingle and socialize with the rest of the team. There's 14 of us minus another participant (Yuri).
 
DOT led the way and we started off with the magnificent Hagia Sophia. Now a museum (since 1935), it once stood tall as a cathedral during the Byzantine era before converting to a mosque under Sultan Mehmet II reign. 


Chronological of events:

• Eastern Orthodox Cathedral (537–1204)
• Catholic Church Cathedral (1204–1261)
• Eastern Orthodox Cathedral (1261–1453)
• Imperial Mosque (1453–1931)
• Museum (1935–present)

  

Interior

Remnants of the 2nd church in by the entrance. 
Each sheep symbolizes the 12 apostles of Christ.

Presence of Islam with Calligraphic roundel in vicinity
with apse mosaic of Virgin Mary and child in the
background.

Marble pillars

Ceiling made of gold and precious stones
(i.e. Red = Ruby, etc)

Coronation square

Our tour guide :)

We then head off to the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed mosque) which is only a few metres away in vicinity from Hagia Sophia.

 

One of the blue mosque 6 minarets.

Obelisk outside of the mosque - this is from Egypt.

 

We entered the mosque to view it's spectacular interior where the blue Iznik tiles lined up the walls. This is why the mosque is alternatively called the Blue mosque.

After sightseeing, we had a lunch break savoring local Turkish delicacies.

Meatballs & vege (+ endless supply of bread!).
The red paste is somewhat similar to our local Malaysian "sambal"

 

 

Turkey for you...

Finally arrived in Istanbul. My 1st impression of Turkey is people are friendly and one can't help to notice that their smiles are sincere, observed from the moment I stepped out from the plane. The trolley experience is simply unforgettable for a lady in distress ;). After traveling many hours I simply refused to carry my bags so I opted for the airport trolley instead.  While attempting to pull a trolley from a row of them, a gentleman approached me and told me that I need 1 lira. He asked me if I have any but unfortunately I only have dollar notes with me. He was kind to give me his 1 lira and pulled a trolley out for me. Now that's Turkish hospitality for you! So thankfully I recall how to say thank you in Turkish - teşekkür ederim. When I head to the exit, we say our goodbyes. The hand gesture of waving at each other is universal for goodbye :) 

Finally met my team - Ants and Anand, while mingled with the others too namely Aaron, Reji and yes, the team that made all this happened from day 1 - DOT. meeting was good and it's always nice to meet people face to face :)

More to come today....after breakfast and team event