There is always sunshine after rainstorm ...

Bear Sculpture Series 7 - Uzbekistan

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:18:00 +0000

Bear Sculptures Series 6 - Zambia

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:58:00 +0000

Bear Sculptures Series 5 - Barbados

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:46:00 +0000

Mother & child.

Bear Sculptures Series 4 - Bolivia

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:35:00 +0000

This bear sculpture from Bolivia looks scary !!!

Bear Sculptures Series 3 - Central African Republic

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:21:00 +0000

Bear Sculptures Series 2 - Egypt

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:41:00 +0000

Bear Sculptures Series 1 - Ethiopia

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Currently there are bear sculptures being displayed in front & at the side walk of The Pavilion shopping mall. Quite interesting and from my observation, those bear sculptures from the countries in Africa continent stands out . They are rich in colors and the motif interesting. Start off with Eithiopia.

CNY 2012 Deco - The Pavilion

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:18:00 +0000

I've seen some shopping malls' CNY deco in town such as 1-Utama, The Curve, Mid-Valley Mega Mall , Farenheit 88 & Pavilion. By far, this year's best CNY deco goes to The Pavilion Shopping Mall. The 600 feet long dragon being hung at the centre court gives the visitors a chance to see the beauty of the dragon that associates with chinese culture. The red lanterns, the flowers, the chinese calligraphy & chinese paintings, paper cuttings, etc.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:33:00 +0000

Gong Xi Fa Cai. May the year of the water dragon brings you and your loved ones abundance of good health, happiness and prosperity.

KK Trip 2012 Series 1

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Wooden houses on stilts near Gaya Island in Sabah.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 123 - Turkey (Part 118) - Istanbul (xxxix) - Istanbul Archaeology Museum (v)

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:33:00 +0000

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 122 - Turkey (Part 117) - Istanbul (xxxviii) - Istanbul Archaeology Museum (iv)

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:05:00 +0000

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 121 - Turkey (Part 116) - Istanbul (xxxvii) - Istanbul Archaeology Museum (iii)

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 120 - Turkey (Part 115) - Istanbul (xxxvi) - Istanbul Archaeology Museum (ii)

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 06:21:00 +0000

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 119 - Turkey (Part 114) - Istanbul (xxxv) - Istanbul Archaeology Museum (i)

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:37:00 +0000

After Harem, a short walking distant down the road led me to Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
This museum easily 120 years old. It was a good place to see history that takes you back in time. Unfortunately i didn't have enough time to cover all the 3 museums within its vicinity. So many things to see and read those write-ups. By the time i reached the Museum of Islamic Art (Tiled Kiosk ) , it was almost closed to visitors as visiting hour almost came to an end. Sigh !

At first i thought pictures were not allowed but after checking with the guard, he mentioned pictures can be taken inside the museum provided that i don't use the flash. So happy to hear that i can take the pictures to my heart's content.....

Relief Of A Charioteer - Proconnesian Marble. Archaic, last quarter of 6th cent. BC

Block with ceremonial scenes, wrestlers & musicians - Limestone. Archaic, last quarter of the 6th cent. BC

Head of a woman - Marble. Early Roman, time of Augustus 27 BC - 14 AD (copy of a 5th cent BC original)

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 118 - Turkey (Part 113) - Istanbul (xxxiv) - Topkapi Palace (xxii) - Harem (xvii) - The Harem Gate

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

These are the shots taken on the way out of the Harem. Not sure is this called Harem Gate .... Until the late 19th century, there had been a small inner court in this corner of the Enderûn Courtyard. This court led through the Kuşhane Gate into the harem. Today this is the gate from which the visitors exit from the Harem. Birds were raised for the sultan's table in the buildings around the gate. On the inscription over the Kuşhane door one reads that Mahmud I had the kitchen of the Kuşhane repaired. The balcony of the aviary facing the Harem Gate was constructed during repair work in 1916. The building's facade resembles traditional aviaries.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 117 - Turkey (Part 112) - Istanbul (xxxiii) - Topkapi Palace (xxi) - Harem (xvi) - The Golden Road

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:21:00 +0000

The Golden Road (Altınyol) is a narrow passage that forms the axis of the Harem, dating from the 15th century. It extends between the Courtyard of the Harem Eunuch (Harem Ağaları Taşlığı) and the Privy Chamber (Has Oda). The sultan used this passage to pass to the Harem, the Privy Chamber and the Sofa-i Hümâyûn, the Imperial terrace. The Courtyard of the Queen Mother (Valide Sultan Taşlığı’), the Courtyard of the Chief Consort of the Sultan (Baş Haseki), the apartments of the Princes (Şehzadegân Daireleri), and the apartments of the Sultan (Hünkâr Dairesi) open to this passage. The walls are painted a plain white colour. It is believed that the attribute "golden" is due to the sultan's throwing of golden coins to be picked up by the concubines at festive days, although this is disputed by some scholars.

Rurkey Trip 2011 Series 116 - Turkey (Part 111) = Istanbul (xxxii) - Topkapi Palace (xx) - Harem (xv) - The Courtyard Of The Favourites

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:11:00 +0000

The Courtyard of the Favourites (Gözdeler / Mabeyn Taşlığı ve Dairesi) forms the last section of the Harem and overlooks a large pool and the Boxwood Garden (Şimşirlik Bahçesi). The courtyard was expanded in the 18th century by the addition of the Interval (Mabeyn) and Favourites (İkballer) apartments. The apartment of the Sultan's Favourite Consort along with the Golden Road (Altın Yol) and the Mabeyn section at the ground floor also included the Hall with the Mirrors. This was the space where Abül Hamid I lived with his harem. The wooden apartment is decorated in the rococo style. The favourites of the sultan (Gözdeler / İkballer) were conceived as the instruments of the perpetuation of the dynasty in the harem organisation. When the favourites became pregnant they assumed the title and powers of the official consort (Kadınefendi) of the sultan.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 115 - Turkey (Part 110) - Istanbul (xxxi) - Topkapi Palace (xix) - Harem (xiv) - The Twin Kiosk / Apartments Of The Crown Prince

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:24:00 +0000

The Twin Kiosk / Apartments of the Crown Prince (Çifte Kasırlar / Veliahd Dairesi) consists of two privy chambers built in the 17th century, at different times. The building is connected to the palace and consists of only one storey built on an elevated platform to give a better view from inside and shield views from the outside. The interior consists of two large rooms, dating from the reign of Sultan Murat III, but are more probably from the reign of Ahmed I.

The ceiling is not flat but conical in the kiosk style, evoking the traditional tents of the early Ottomans. As in tents, there is no standing furniture but sofas set on the carpeted floor on the side of the walls for seating. These chambers represent all the details of the classical style used in other parts of the palace. The pavilion has been completely redecorated, and most of the Baroque woodwork has been removed. The decorative tiles, reflecting the high quality craftsmanship of the İznik tile industry of the 17th century, were removed in accordance with the original concept and replaced with modern copies. The paintwork of the wooden dome is still original and is an example of the rich designs of the late 16th/early 17th centuries.

The fireplace in the second room has a tall, gilded hood and has been restored to its original appearance. The window shutters next to the fireplace are decorated with nacre intarsia. The windows in coloured glass look out across the high terrace and the garden of the pool below. The spigots in these windows are surrounded with red, black and gold designs.

The crown prince (Şehzadeler) lived here in seclusion; therefore, the apartments were also called kafes (cage). The crown prince and other princes were trained in the discipline of the Ottoman Harem until they reached adulthood. Afterwards, they were sent as governors to Anatolian provinces, where they were further trained in the administration of state affairs. From the beginning of the 17th century onward, the princes lived in the Harem, which started to have a voice in the palace administration. The Twin Kiosk was used as the privy chamber of the crown prince from the 18th century onward.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 114 - Turkey (Part 109) - Istanbul (xxx) - Topkapi Palace (xviii) - Harem (xiii) - The Privy Chamber Of Sultan Ahmed III (The Fruit Room) & Sultan Ahmed I

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:34:00 +0000

How can i missed the Fruit Room ? Sigh ! On the other side of the great bedchamber there are two smaller rooms: first the Privy Chamber of Ahmed I (I. Ahmed Has Odası), richly decorated with İznik glazed tiles. The cabinet doors, the window shutters, a small table and a Qur'an lectern are decorated with nacre and ivory. Privy Chamber of Ahmed III : Next to it is the small but very colourful Privy Chamber of Ahmed III (III. Ahmed Has Odası) with walls painted with panels of floral designs and bowls of fruit and with an intricate tiles fireplace (ocak). This room is therefore also known as the Fruit Room (Yemis Odası) and was probably used for dining purposes.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 113 - Turkey (Part 108) - Istanbul (xxix) - Topkapi Palace (xvii) - Harem (xii) - The Privy Chamber Of Sultan Murad III

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:24:00 +0000

The Privy Chamber of Murat III (III. Murad Has Odası) is the oldest and finest surviving room in the harem, having retained its original interior. It was a design of the master architect Sinan and dates from the 16th century. Its dome is only slightly smaller than that of the Throne Room. Its hall has one of the finest doors of the palace and leads past the wing of the crown princes (Kafes). The room is decorated with blue-and-white and coral-red İznik tiles. The rich floral designs are framed in thick orange borders of the 1570s. A band of inscriptional tiles runs around the room above the shelf and door level. The large arabesque patterns of the dome have been regilded and repainted in black and red. The large fireplace with gilded hood (ocak) stands opposite a two-tiered fountain (çeşme), skilfully decorated in coloured marble. The flow of water was meant to prevent any eavesdropping, while providing a relaxed atmosphere to the room. The two gilded baldachin beds date from the 18th century.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 112 - Turkey (Part 107) - Istanbul (xxviii) - Topkapi Palace (xvi) - Harem (xi) -

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:33:00 +0000

After Hall of the Ablution Fountain, there is this area that has exquisite tiles and so captivating. This area is just outside The Privy Chamber Of Sultan Murad III (on the left) and on the right side is Imperial Hall (Throne Room), if not mistaken.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 111 - Turkey (Part 106) - Istanbul (xxvii) - Topkapi Palace (xv) - Harem (x) - Hall Of The Ablution Fountain

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:28:00 +0000

Upon entering this place, i was amazed at the beautiful blue / green tiles! Even though this area is not that big but the beautiful tiles make up for it. Can you imagine those tiles are more than 350 years old and is still looking good ??? Awesome !

Inlay with Nacre is so beautiful.

The Hall of the Ablution Fountain, also known as "Sofa with Fountain," (Şadirvanli Sofa) was renovated after the Harem fire of 1666. This second great fire took place on 24 July 1665. This space was an entrance hall into the harem, guarded by the harem eunuchs. The Büyük Biniş and the Şal Kapısı, which connected the Harem, the Privy Garden, the Mosque of the Harem Eunuchs and the Tower of Justice from where the sultan watched the deliberations of the Imperial Council, led to this place. The walls are riveted with 17th century Kütahya tiles. The horse block in front of the mosque served the sultan to mount his horse and the sitting benches were for the guards. The fountain that gives the space its name was moved and is now in the pool of the Privy Chamber of Murad III. On the left is the small mosque of the black eunuchs. The tiles in watery green, dirty white and middle blue all date from the 17th century (reign of Mehmed IV). Their design is of a high artistic level but the execution is of minor quality compared to 16th century tiles, and the paint on these tiles blurs.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 110 - Turkey (Part 105) - Istanbul (xxvi) - Topkapi Palace (xiv) - Harem (ix)

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:46:00 +0000

I'm not sure which room these pictures were taken from.

Turkey Trip 2011 Series 109 - Turkey (Part 104) - Istanbul (xxv) - Topkapi Palace (xiii) - Harem (viii) - Courtyard Of The Sultan's Consorts And The Concubines

noreply@blogger.com (rainstorm) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:56:00 +0000

The Courtyard of the Sultan's Consorts and the Concubines (Kadın Efendiler Taşlığı / Cariye Taşlığı) was constructed at the same time as the courtyard of the eunuchs in the middle of the 16th century. It underwent restoration after the 1665 fire and is the smallest courtyard of the Harem. The porticoed courtyard is surrounded by baths (Cariye Hamamı), a laundry fountain, a laundry, dormitories, the apartments of the Sultan's chief consort and the apartments of the stewardesses (Kalfalar Dairesi). The three independent tiled apartments with fireplaces overlooking the Golden Horn were the quarters where the consorts of the Sultan lived. These constructions covered the site of the courtyard in the late 16th century. At the entrance to the quarters of the Queen Mother, wall frescoes from the late 18th century depict landscapes, reflecting the western influence. The staircase, called the "Forty Steps" (Kirkmerdiven), leads to the Hospital of the Harem (Harem Hastanesi), the dormitories of the concubines at the basement of the Harem and Harem Gardens.

Role of the concubines : For the perpetuation of the Ottoman Dynasty and service to it, beautiful and intelligent slave girls were either captured in war (mainly Christian Europeans in the Balkans), recruited within the empire, or procured from neighbouring countries to become imperial concubines (Cariyes). The concubines who were introduced into the Harem in their tender age were brought up in the disciplines of the Palace. They were promoted according to their capacities and became kalfas and ustas. The concubine with whom the Sultan shared his bed became a member of the dynasty and rose in rank to attain the status of Gözde (the Lucky), Ikbal (the Favourite) or Kadın (the Wife). The highest position herself was the Queen Mother (Valide Sultan), the mother of the Sultan, who herself used to be a concubine of the Sultan’s father and rose to the supreme rank in the Harem. No concubine could leave or enter the premises of the Harem without the explicit permission of the Queen Mother. The power of the Queen Mother over concubines even extended to questions of life and death, with eunuchs directly reporting to her. The concubines either lived in the halls beneath the apartments of the consorts, the Queen Mother and the Sultan, or in separate chambers. The kadıns, who numbered four, formed the group who came next in rank to the Queen Mother. Right below the kadins in rank were the ikbals, whose number was unspecified. Last in the hierarchy were the gözdes. The favourite consort who was the mother of the crown prince, as well as the other kadıns, enjoyed a privileged position in the hierarchy of the harem.