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Advantages: A simply stunning building overall, it's free Disadvantages: The "blue" aspect may disappoint you,can be very busy
In Istanbul's Battle of the Buildings, the Blue Mosque is, for me, the outright winner. It was built in the seventeenth century on the orders of Sultan Ahmet I with the intention that it should rival the Hagia Sophia which stands opposite it. The image of these two fantastic buildings square up to each other is one of the most breath-taking sights in Istanbul, a city that's not short on visual magnificence. Both buildings are quite extraordinary but it's the Blue Mosque that wins me over with its six stately minarets and awesome courtyard; I'd go so far as to say that every trip (at least every first trip) to Istanbul should include a visit to the Blue Mosque.
With its six minarets, the Blue Mosque is easily identifiable from all over the city - even in a city that is teeming with mosques. There is a story that claims that the Sultan ...
I been to Mumbai number of times mostly on official errands, naturally had little time for sight-seeing and I regretted it most of the time, main reasons being my inherent weakness and curiosity about Muslim history and their curious propensity for excellent art work. Who can forget the great ?Taj Mahal?, one of nine Wonders of the World, a piece unbelievable example of Islamic architecture and a tribute to Shahzahan?s great love for his wife Mumtaz. But during my recent visit I was determined to at least have a look at the eye catching Haji Ali Mosque. It was a decision that I will never rue.
WHO WAS HAJI ALI:
Syed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, Haji Ali who is believed to be a wealthy local business man in Bukharia, in the ancient Persian Empire now in Uzbekistan. Haji Ali traveled around the world in the early 1400s ...
Advantages: Western comforts if that's your thing Disadvantages: Wealth divide, Lack of culture, unfriendly locals
I arrived in Casablanca by train and took a taxi to the city centre where i planned to stay. The taxi driver seemed to drive around in circles even though I'd given him a map in French of where I wanted to go, eventually dropping me off around half a mile away.
I'd spent a bit of time in Morocco in the cities and desert and was wholey disappointed by Casablanca. Travelling on a budget I saw most of what the westerners staying at the beach resorts missed. The dead animals on the side of the streets and plenty of fighting between the locals.
The city itself is trying to be as western as possible. Plenty of boutiques and fast food restaurants and the touristy market in the old town area is overpriced and low quality compared to the other regions in the country.
The hassanIImosque on the coast is something worth going to see ...
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