First set of pictures from the trip

The Hagia Sophia (Aya Sophia) By far my biggest recommendation for anyone visiting Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia was first used as a church, later a mosque, and now as a museum. It covers 7000 square meters and the dome is 56 meters high. In December of 537, its monument was dedicated in the city and was considered the most awe inspiring church in the Christian world. In 1453, it was conquered and turned from a church into a mosque. It wasn’t until 1931 that it was declared secular and in 1935 it opened as a museum.



On the very top sections of the domes you can see the depictions from the Christian times

The more eye level sections are almost all from Islam. Here is the mimbar, which corresponds to a pulpit in a church.

The Blue Mosque The Blue Mosque was another one of my favorite sites I saw. It is a quick run through, taking maybe no more than ten minutes to see. It was gorgeous on the inside, and certainly my photos do not do it justice. Everywhere is filled with beautiful blue and white tiled mosaics.





The Yacht

Our sleeping quarters. There were 16 of us and eight cabins.


El Capitan


The front deck of the yacht. This is where I spent most of my time soaking up the sun. The middle section between the rows of beds is where the Yacht Fashion shows took place.


A beautiful night on the Turquoise Riviera