HILLSONG

Hey guys!  For those who are requesting to see Hillsong Australia, here are the different facades of the church.  The two branches I last visited in Sydney. 

Now you can see this megachurch, both of their branches at Young St. and the Convention Center in Norwest Blvd., Baulkham Hills where they usually hold concerts, just like the ones you see in DVD's.  So next time you visit Australia, come here and pay a visit.

HILLSONG CHURCH Convention Center at Baulkham Hills

HILLSONG CHURCH at Young St.

 ...and me somewhere, hehe!

Please also do visit their website at:

http://myhillsong.com/

ISTANBUL: Taksim Square

Taksim Square (Turkish: Taksim Meydanı) situated in the European part of Istanbul, Turkey, is a major shopping, tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, and is the location of the Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument), which was built in 1928 and commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic. - Wikipedia

When you come to Istanbul you were never a tourist if you never walked the lively pedestrian street of Istiklal Caddesi.  The street is a few kilometers stretch and busy with people coming from everywhere.  At anytime of the day, the street is full of locals and tourists.  My favorite spot to stay and people watch when the time is relax, a few meter away from my hotel.  Everytime I visit Istanbul I see to it that my hotel is situated around the area.  Visiting Istiklal Caddesi experience is as necessary as Turkish Bath experience.

Tired of walking the street of Istiklal?  Then take this Tram, it will take you down to the tunnel to take a subway train that will take you around the city.

Some angles of the lively street.  Try here at night for a wonderful colorful walk experience.

At the square with some friends.

The Independence Monument (Istiklal Anıtı) in the circle at the southern end of the square commemorates the Turkish Republic's founder, Kemal Atatürk, in both his roles, as military commander-in-chief and as statesman.

... and, oh! My favorite sandwich place in the area!  Doner is closely known as Shawarma. 

Afiyet Olsun! (Turkish), Bon Apetit! (French), Sahaten Wa' Afia! (Arabic), Have a nice meal! (English, hehe!)

See MEDUSA in Topkapi Palace - TURKEY

 Topkapi Palace was home to all the Ottoman sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I (1839-1860), a period of nearly four centuries. The order for the construction of the Topkapi Palace on the Seraglio Point overlooking both Marmara and Bosphorus was given by Mehmed II after the conquest of Constantinapolis in 1453. The place was then an ancient olive grove. The final form of the first palace covered an area 700m², and was enclosed with fortified walls 1400 meters in length. The walls were pierced by a number of gates, namely the Otluk gate, the Demir gate and the Imperial gate (Bab-i Humayun), and a number of minor angled gates between them. After the reign of Mehmed II the Conqueror, the palace grew steadily to form a city like complex of buildings and annexes, including a shore palace known as the Topkapi shore palace, as it was situated near the cannon gate -Topkapi- of the ancient walls of Istanbul. When the shore palace was burned down in 1863, it lent its name to the great complex we now know as Topkapi Palace. The main portal, the Bab-i Humayun, was suited next to the mosque of Ayasofya (Haghia Sophia Church), and this led a series of four courts surrounded by various structures. The courts, chambers, pavilions and other sections can be viewed at the floor plan of Topkapi Palace.

Acknowledgement: Bilkent University Department of History provides a history of this grandiose Ottoman palace and guide to its architectural development.

Some of the attractions you can see in the basement of the Palace

 Petrified Medusa

The Medusa Story written above and this Medusa stone head in the base of one of the many columns that support the palace basement, are just one of the wonders you can encounter within. 

Visitors and even Scientists today were wondering why this Medusa stone head is placed sideways while the other is head up.

Water drippings accumulate on the floorings of the basement created a shallow pool that some tourists mistaken into somekind of a wishing well.  Well, this could be an added income for this spot as they can collect coins that can be converted into a subtantial amount of cash. 

Count mine!  I threw in some coins too! Hehe!   Next time you visit this place, toss some coins in too, just for fun!

Watch this video for more infotainment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CztQXxWqogI

open this YouTube hyperlink