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though my dream is comprehensive world tour,but unfortunately i have no companion for that purpose.Anyone who can join me , please contact me.my email address is dr.talatbutt@hotmail.com, my phone no. is 0092-321-9501376: 0092-300-9501376: 0092-51-57934 | Log entries 71 - 73 of 73 | Page:
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Apr 27, 2009 02:00 PM ISTANBUL-HAYA SOFIA
After visiting blue mosque we walked to the Haya sofia.2-3 min.walk. we paid enterace fee TL20 (euro 10) . no student discount.luggage and bags were scanned at entry point.
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Apr 27, 2009 02:00 PM istanbul-blue mosque
i departed from benazir international airport islamabad by pakistan international airlines at 7:30 am and arrived at ataturk international airport istanbul at 10:30 am( travel time:6 hours).Turkey is 3 hours behind pakistan's time.Immigration was v.smooth and swift.no question no que.stamped immediately and I entered turkey.at airport there is an ATM machine.I operated it and I also exchanged 100 euro for 202.85 Turkish Lira.As usual i visited the tourist information centre of airport but unfortunately there was no person. some guys were wandering around the office and advised me to travel to city by shuttle at 20 euros per person.I refused but they said that tourist information officer will attend the office at 1 pm. On the first floor I visited another information centre and she advised me to go to zetinburno by light rail ( 6 stops) by 1.4 TL and then from Zetinburno to sultanahmet by tram(13 stops) by 1.4 TL. interesting thing is that when i returned to ground floor of airport ,tourist information officer was sitting in the office and the guys suggesting me shuttle service were also sitting there laughing and chatting.
It took about one hour from airport to sultanahmed.Shuttle is not only expensive but also it takes too much time taking longer routes to drop off different passengers at different hotels.Anyhow at sultanahmed I went straight to Blue Mosque and on the way I bought ice cream from a juggler type shop keeper by 5 TL while actual price was 1.5 TL.
I walked to eminonu for repair of my spectacles (20 minutes walk) and returned to blue mosque.I waited at the eastern small gate of mosque for half an hour and at 2 pm my friend Adam from Polyska(Poland) arrived and we started our visit to blue mosque.
Blue mosque is the most popular tourist attraction in istanbul.With 6 minarets and a cascade of domes,the magnificient blue mosque was built in 1609-1617 by architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga on the southeast side of hippodrome during the rule of Sultan Ahmet 1.It seems to be replica of Aya Sofia just few minutes walk from Blue Mosque.Blue Mosque is the name given due to the blue tiles in the interior upper level.
there is an ablution fountain in the courtyard.
Since the Blue Mosque is workng,the tourists are advised to refrain from entering at five times of prayers during the whole day. On Friday longer prayer gap is required for midday prayer from 11:30 am to 1300 hours at least.there is no enterance fee.Main enterance is from northwestern side(from hippodrome side).the other small enterance is from eastern side (opposite AyaSofia).If we enter from the small enterance the non-muslim tourists enter the mosque from opposite side, while muslims can enter the main hall of the mosque just opposite the main enterance of the mosque .
the prayer hall like all other mosques has a mehrab ( a niche) facing towards holy Kaaba in Mecca,S.arabia.
above,in the prayer hall, there is a great ascending system of domes and semi domes culminating in central large dome,about 23 m in diameter and 43 m high.the domes are supported by four giant piers.
walls are decorated by the verses from the Holy Quran.
the floor covered by carpets.
Mehrab is made up of finely carved and sculptured marble with inscription panels and ceramic tiles on the adjacent walls
To the right is minbar where the Imam (prayer leader) stands while delivering a sermon on friday or any other holy day.the minbar is also well decorated.
More than 200 stained glass windows are meant for natural light.
there is also a tomb of its founder on one side of the mosque.
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Apr 27, 2009 02:00 PM istanbul-blue mosque
i departed from benazir international airport islamabad by pakistan international airlines at 7:30 am and arrived at ataturk international airport istanbul at 10:30 am( travel time:6 hours).Turkey is 3 hours behind pakistan's time.Immigration was v.smooth and swift.no question no que.stamped immediately and I entered turkey.at airport there is an ATM machine.I operated it and I also exchanged 100 euro for 202.85 Turkish Lira.As usual i visited the tourist information centre of airport but unfortunately there was no person. some guys were wandering around the office and advised me to travel to city by shuttle at 20 euros per person.I refused but they said that tourist information officer will attend the office at 1 pm. On the first floor I visited another information centre and she advised me to go to zetinburno by light rail ( 6 stops) by 1.4 TL and then from Zetinburno to sultanahmet by tram(13 stops) by 1.4 TL. interesting thing is that when i returned to ground floor of airport ,tourist information officer was sitting in the office and the guys suggesting me shuttle service were also sitting there laughing and chatting.
It took about one hour from airport to sultanahmed.Shuttle is not only expensive but also it takes too much time taking longer routes to drop off different passengers at different hotels.Anyhow at sultanahmed I went straight to Blue Mosque and on the way I bought ice cream from a juggler type shop keeper by 5 TL while actual price was 1.5 TL.
I walked to eminonu for repair of my spectacles (20 minutes walk) and returned to blue mosque.I waited at the eastern small gate of mosque for half an hour and at 2 pm my friend Adam from Polyska(Poland) arrived and we started our visit to blue mosque.
Blue mosque is the most popular tourist attraction in istanbul.With 6 minarets and a cascade of domes,the magnificient blue mosque was built in 1609-1617 by architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga on the southeast side of hippodrome during the rule of Sultan Ahmet 1.It seems to be replica of Aya Sofia just few minutes walk from Blue Mosque.Blue Mosque is the name given due to the blue tiles in the interior upper level.
there is an ablution fountain in the courtyard.
Since the Blue Mosque is workng,the tourists are advised to refrain from entering at five times of prayers during the whole day. On Friday longer prayer gap is required for midday prayer from 11:30 am to 1300 hours at least.there is no enterance fee.Main enterance is from northwestern side(from hippodrome side).the other small enterance is from eastern side (opposite AyaSofia).If we enter from the small enterance the non-muslim tourists enter the mosque from opposite side, while muslims can enter the main hall of the mosque just opposite the main enterance of the mosque .
there is also a tomb of its founder on one side of the mosque.
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