Friday, November 9, 2012

Istanbul to home sweet home............


.......be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.





Built between the years 1843 and 1856, this palace, which 
has the largest ballroom in the world, has survived without any loss of its interior decoration, furniture, silk carpets, curtains and massive Baccarat crystal chandeliers, including the world's largest weighing 4.5 tons. 
No interior photography was permitted unfortunately. 

The richness at every turn was so beautiful..............
don't think I've ever seen such a magnificent palace.
For more history and some interior pictures go HERE.



 Looking out across the Bosphorus, despite some showers and 
heavy clouds, the visit will remain a bright 
memory of spectacular Istanbul.

Well of course we didn't arrive home in the early hours this morning to anything remotely like a palace.....but even a modest cottage covered in fallen golden leaves was a welcome sight.

Our Delta flight from Istanbul to JFK was canceled yesterday morning due to bad weather in the New York area. Fortunately we secured the last two available seats on Turkish Airlines to Toronto, and from there to Raleigh.
It will be a while before I catch up with you and share the trip highlights........but I'll be working on it over the next couple of weeks. 

18 comments:

  1. Mary, so good to know you and Bob are safely back home. I knew you would adore Istanbul. It is an amazing city! Will eagerly anticipate the upcoming posts that feature your trip photography. ;-)
    All the best, dear friend. Sleep well..........Sarah

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  2. How lovely to hear that you've arrived safely home, Mary. Isn't the metalwork in your photos amazing? So delicate and intricate.
    Enjoy getting settled once more, and we'll wait until then before expecting photos and stories.

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  3. It's always good to be home after travelling isn't it? Venice and Istanbul look really beautiful, I haven't been to either as yet.I'm way behind on reading and commenting I'm afraid - at least it sounds as though there are going to be more of your lovely photos of the places you've visited.
    On a different tack Mary - can I ask which Blogger template you are using as I much prefer it to mine, much less wasted space!

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  4. What a wonderful place, looking forward to a little more of your travels. So pleased you are home safe and sound, not log to unpack the cases before they are packed again for your trip home for Christmas???

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  5. Hello Mary:
    So very incredible and what a magnificent situation.

    We are so pleased to learn that you are once more safely landed on home territory.

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  6. Good Morning Mary,
    So happy to see that you and Bob are home safe and sound. Your trip sounds like it was another fabulous adventure. I am looking forward to seeing more of it, including Venice....which Kent and I absolutely loved.
    xo
    Penny

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  7. Hi Mary! Welcome back! Your photos of the palace are beautiful and I'm sure you have many wonderful memories and images of your trip. I'll look forward to seeing your posts about it. Enjoy the weekend relaxing in your cottage. Blessings, Pamela

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  8. Always pleased to know you are both back safe and sound, see you in about 6 weeks on your next journey.
    Love
    JJ

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  9. Glad you are home from your travels safely. That palace looks utterly magnificent!

    xo
    Claudia

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  10. Welcome home my dearest! I've missed you so much! Looking forward to seeing you, hearing about the trip, and perhaps visiting our favorite antique spot for their holiday open house. Hope you and dear Bob are enjoying the weekend and resting at home. Much love, Vanessa

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  11. So glad you are home safe and sound! We miss you!

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  12. Hello Mary,
    A wonderfully enchanting trip!
    The setting is amazing and I would love to see the Istanbul Palace.

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  13. Istanbul is a city to which I love to return and Dolmabache Palace is one of my favourite places - both it's interior and exterior - stunning. You captured it so well with your beautiful photos.
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

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  14. Welcome Home~
    What a beautiful palace. I would love to visit there.
    I think I would be happy to be home after all the traveling you have been doing. Whew! Take a breather for sure because soon it will be time again to travel. Hugs!

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  15. Spectacular - I wonder if I'll ever see it?
    All our European trips start and finish in France with little detours here and there!
    I followed your link - the chandelier is out of this world - I imagine seeing it in person was quite something.
    I love those wrought iron gates - they could come home with me!!
    Hope you are feeling better now dear Mary - I'm sure you're happy to be home too!
    hugs
    Shane ♥

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  16. Mary, how absolutely amazing! Can't wait to hear you tell your stories. Hoping you are well. Thankful you are back in NC. Boy, I miss you...Mary Ann

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