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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Istanbul - The Turkish Delight

From Constantinople to Istanbul – Click here for more Photos

 

L1000465 Istanbul at Sunset

 

L1000516 Maiden's Tower, featured in one of the James Bond movies in 1999 "The world is not enough", sits on a small islet located in the Bosphorus strait off the coast of Üsküdar in Istanbul, Turkey.

 

DSC_0645 Grand Bazaar

 

DSC_0646 A tea house in the grand bazaar – Photo of Sultan Muhammad Fatih in background.

Muhammad II or Mehmet II (Muhammad the Conqueror) is considered the true founder of the Ottoman Empire. He completed the conquest of the Byzantine Empire by successfully storming (1453) Constantinople after a 50-day siege, for which he constructed the largest cannons the world had yet known and by transporting his navy overland, an unbeatable and unmatched achievement of naval history. Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI fell in its defense. Muhammad moved his capital from Adrianople to Constantinople and restored the greatness of that city by settling there the populations of other conquered towns. To Greek and Armenian citizens of Constantinople he granted the privileges that they were to enjoy throughout Ottoman rule, including the freedom to practice Orthodox Eastern Christianity. The Church of Hagia Sophia became a mosque.

Muhammad then conquered the Balkan Peninsula, taking Greece, Bosnia, and several Venetian possessions in the Aegean islands. The khan of Crimea became his ally and vassal. However, his further advance was checked at Belgrade by John Hunyadi, in Albania by Scanderbeg until 1478, and in Rhodes by the Knights Hospitalers under Aubusson. In Asia, Muhammad annexed the empire of Trebizond, ended most independent Turkish dynasties, and subdued the emirate of Karamania, putting to death its ruling family, who were Seljuk Turks. In 1480 he captured Otranto, in Italy, but the expedition had no results.

 

DSC_0775 Topkapi Palace

L1000307 Topkapi Palace was the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years of their 600-year reign, from 1465 to 1856. Initial construction began in 1459, ordered by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Byzantine Constantinople.

 

 

L1000327 Tpokapi Palace, with Golden Horn in background

 

 

DSC_0630 Enjoying turkish tea

DSC_0792 and kababs…

 

L1000179 more kababs…

 

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 DSC_0840 The Underground Basilica Cistern

 

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Click here for more Photos

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Chillie - Part 1 - Intro

 

Introducing Chillie – Billie’s new little sister…

Chinchilla Persian kitten (5)

 

Chillie is a Chincilla – a type of persian cat.

Chillie has pretty green eyes.

Chillie is famous. She has worked in many ads and movies, including James Bond!

 

Chinchilla Persian kitten (10)

 

Chillie is related to Shaikh Chillie.

She has a fiesty personality despite her pretty looks…

 

Chinchilla Persian kitten (16)

 

Being a typical kitten, favourite pastimes include climbing…

 

Chinchilla Persian kitten

 

and playing…

 

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and more playing…

 

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Chillie in her first photo shoot…

 

Chinchilla Persian kitten (2)

 

Chinchilla Persian kitten (15)

 

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But she much rather do other things…

Chinchilla Persian kitten (3)

Chinchilla Persian kitten (17)

Especially exploring under the watchful gaze of Billie…

Chinchilla Persian kitten (1)

 

Billie still doesnt know what to think of Chillie yet… maybe she is jealous of her looks?

 

Ragdoll

Brave Chillie often ventures into Billie’s food tray

Chinchilla Persian kitten (6)

 

At the end of the play session, time for a nap…

 Chinchilla Persian kitten (7)

 

Chinchilla Persian kitten (8)

 Chillie 14

 

Watch out for more adorable photos…

Sunday, November 29, 2009

A BBQ at Moz Place

In the memories of "Shah and the fire brigade lady"

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Construction of the BBQ… under progress

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Still under progress…..

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OK… maybe we SHOULD look at the manual…

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Shah to the rescue … as usual…

And the ladies looking very busy … as usual…

 

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Shah’s orthopaedic carpentry skills sometimes do work…

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Uncle Umer

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Jaffar – cute

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Shah trying to concentrate

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Me at Moz’s new place

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Piccadilly Circus, London

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Modernised London buses

 

Part 2 – Umar and his new Phone

 

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So after a long discussion, Umar decides to buy a new phone – it was a difficult decision

 

 

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Umar excited

 

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After walking through all 15 mobile phone shops and lots of bargaining we have success… a nokia for 15 pounds!

Its an achievement!

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And an Honour!

 

 

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The lethal alliance

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Back with Abdar Shah Jee… with all his galore

 

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and with all his ranked beauty…

 

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Thank you!

 
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