TRAVEL

Istanbul 2012

The city on two continents

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Some may call it an exotic travel destination. To me, it's my second home. Besides the incredible history of this city, what makes Istanbul very unique is that it's the only city in the world on two continents—Europe and Asia.

YEAR VISITED

2012

PHOTOS SHOT ON

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

PHOTO GALLERY

"Dolmuş" shared taxis line up, waiting to pick up passengers.
Two people pass by on a motorbike along Bağdat Caddesi, a main thoroughfare lined with high-end shops and restaurants.
A typical street vendor shop, located underneath an overpass.
A "vapur" (public ferry) waits to pick up passengers to carry across the Bosphorus strait.
Small schools of fish swim in the clear waters of the Bosphorus strait.
Haydarpaşa is a historic railway station, built in 1872.
Topkapı Palace with the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque in the background (from right-to-left).
A detailed closeup of the Yeni Cami's (New Mosque's) architectural features.
Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower) is a medieval, Byzantine period tower, lying on a small islet located at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus.
The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower completed in 1433 and is just to the north of the Golden Horn's junction with the Bosphorus.
A historic red tram passes by on İstiklal Avenue, close to Taksim Square.
Panoramic view of the Golden Horn (right), flowing into the southern section of the Bosphorus (left), from the top of the Galata Tower. Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque can be seen in the distance.
Closeup of antique watches on display in the jewelry market of the Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar).
Gold jewelry on display in the jewelry market of the Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar).
View of Sedef Island from Büyükada (Big Island).
Savory pastries on display in a local bakery shop.
View from the top of the Istanbul Sapphire, looking down on the Levent business district. The Istanbul Sapphire was the tallest building in Turkey at the time.
Closeup of a "vapur" (public ferry) with the Yeni Cami (New Mosque) in the background.