Sandton, a suburb of Johannesburg, is quite well to do yet we were warned not to venture out alone or display any form of wealth. So, we stayed in or near the hotel during our entire stay. The city showed a vast separation of haves and have nots and reports say unemployment is as high as 30% in spite of the over staffing evidence in every shop and restaurant.

Dinner at Bull Run on Sunday night before our partner meeting on Monday with the MEA Storage A-team.

http://www.thebullrun.co.za/

Wrap after day one was a success

We had dinner on Monday night at Mandela Square. I had to have my pic taken next to the 20 foot bronze sculpture.

Yeah - selfie with Mandela

Looking at Istanbul from my room in the Conrad Hilton. I had one of the most amazing view of the city from my room at the Conrad. I shot this from my room Wednesday morning before the rain hit.

From the 14th floor lounge, we could see an amazing view of the Bosphorus Straights. I shot this view Thursday morning as I prepared to depart for our partner meeting. WOW!

Constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I

Just outside the Mosque entrance

Much of the interior appeared to be under some form of reformation/construction.

Hagia Sophia was the seat of the Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople. Constantinople fell to the attacking Ottoman forces on the 29th of May in 1453 and became a mosque. In 1935, the first Turkish President and founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, transformed the building into a museum.

Had to take a selfie in this famous museum

OK. I was probably in their social media posts so I figured I owed them to return the favor. This Japanese tour was marveling over the Deësis mosaic.

The Deësis mosaic -Virgin Mary and John the Baptist are imploring the intercession of Christ Pantocrator for humanity on Judgment Day.
Hagia Sophia

Comnenus mosaic - The Virgin Mary is standing in the middle, depicted in Byzantine art dark blue gown holding Christ in her lap. On her right side stands emperor John II Comnenus and Empress Irene stands on the left side.
Hagia Sophia

Southwestern entrance mosaic - Virgin Mary, Christ Child. On her left is Emperor Constantine. On her right side stands emperor Justinian I.
Hagia Sophia

Randy Fleener, Deon George, Kurt Bilderback, Rob Coventry, Todd Walls, & Avery Bengston

Theodosius Obelisk 390 AD found in the Hippodrome of Constantinople

Walled Obelisk found in the Hippodrome of Constantinople

Looking back at the Bosphorus Bridge from the Asian side of the straights.

Looking back at the Bosphorus Bridge from Asia

At Rigel Restaurant, our fish is prepared in front of us. The fish has already been baked in a salt cake. They fire it up for show then crack open the cake with ice picks and serve the fish to us all. I must say, this was one of the best fish I've ever had.

Rigel - You can see the Bosphorus Bridge in the background. What an amazing sight!

Up on the 14th floor lounge Wednesday night, you can see an amazing view of the Bosphorus Straights separating Europe from Asia and imagine why this city was such a strategic value for so long.

On the 14th floor Wednesday night, I could not believe what an amazing view of the Bosphorus bridge we had from our lounge.

Thursday night after dinner we had to catch one more view of the Bosphorus Bridge.

For anyone going to Istanbul, I highly recommend the Conrad Hilton. The breakfast is phenomenal and the 14th floor lounge has live entertainment on Wednesday nights.

One of the most famous scenes in Rome: Looking up at the iconic St. Peters Basilica from the Tiber river in Rome.

The Fountain of Neptune is a fountain located at the north end of the Piazza Navona, a short walk from the Tiber River.

Found in the center of Piazza Navona, Fountain of the Four Rivers was designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Pope Innocent X.

Night shot of the Fountain

Located at the southern end of the Piazza Navona, Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain) represents a Moor, or African, standing in a conch shell, wrestling with a dolphin, surrounded by four Tritons.

It was completed by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated about 126 AD. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Pantheon is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings, in large part because it has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century.

Night shot of the Pantheon

Trevi is one of the most famous fountains in the world. An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day.

We went back for some night shots

Trevi Fountain Night shots

A monument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy found in the virtual center of the city.

Looking past the monument to ancient Rom from the Piazza Venezia.

Looking over to Vatican City from high atop the Altar of the Fatherland.

Looking down into Ancient Roman ruins from atop the altar.

Elephant and Obelisk - Obelisco della Minerva

As we come close, we can see the shear cliffs of Sorrento.

The Hilton Sorrento is located high on the hill above the city center. We find out later that's quite a long walk.

The Executive Honors Floor was on the rooftop with a breathtaking view of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples.

Thursday morning, we had perfect weather for our tour. The view of the bay was gorgeous.

Zoom into this one. You will get an idea of how beautiful our view was.

Down the steep zig-zag walkway, Deb and I made our way to Sorrento Harbor. From their looks, this old walkway had been here for centuries.

This gives you an idea of how the cliffs pop out of the ocean directly up nearly 300 foot high.

Viewing Port of Sorrento from high atop of the cliff.

Thursday was our day to visit Amalfi Coast. This was our first official picture stop looking back north.

You can begin to see how locals build quite literally on the face of cliffs overlooking the sea.

Positano is probably the most recognizable cities of the famous coast.

Incredible food is available at every stop along the coast - evident of this fruit stand.

Making our way south, the view looking back north continued to get more and more amazing.

Make sure you watch my video where you see professionals and amateurs alike jumping off this 100' high bridge into the water below.

Kinda cheesie but the Emerald Grotto is quite unique. Discovered in 1932, this marine cave is known for the turquoise water that fills the cavern with an emerald-green light.

Looking north, you can begin to see Amalfi in the distance. Note the shear cliffs and emerald green waters. Imagine swimming here in the summer.

Villa Cimbrone has one of the most iconic views of the Amalfi Coast.

Villa Cimbrone stands on a rocky outcrop known as "Cimbronium".

You cannot imagine how uneasy it is to look over this terrace. As you stand this oval shaped terrace, you feel like you are floating perilously 1,000 feet above the sea.

Famed Amalfi from sea level pier

Amalfi from sea level pier

Amalfi from sea level pier

[Thursday] It is said that the coastal village was named after Poseidon, God of the Sea.

[Saturday] Making our second visit to Positano, the weather was more active making the colors more interesting.

[Saturday] With the cloud cover and sun breaking through, the city and sea colors were fascinating.

Trying an artistic shot

Looking over the iconic Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano

[Thursday] Positano from sea level. Our first visit to Positano, the seas were quite calm and the bay was busy with boats of all kinds.

We were fascinated by the ancient guard towers north and south of the Positano bay. The guard towers were built as look-out points to warn against Muslim invaders. When pirates were spotted at sea, the guards would light a fire on the top of the tower to alert the villagers. The people's only defense was to run to the hills.

Getting wet while getting that shot. I think the camera is OK.

On Saturday night, I took Deb to a local, authentic Italian restaurant near the Marriott, La Locanda.

Deb found her new, favorite chocolatier, Venchi. Yes, that is a chocolate wall.

On our way to Sorrento, we asked Francesco to stop somewhere we could eat. Little did we expect this delight. Love Truffles was outstanding.

I don't take pictures of food often, but this was both unique and delicious.

Be sure to see the video I made of our journey from Donna Sofia. Again, this was both entertaining and delicious.

On Friday, we walked down to the port of Sorrento to have authentic Italian Pizza at Acqua e Sale (Water & Salt). Then, we had this dessert. Imagine elephant ears with unreal custard topped with a cherry.

We visited Positano again Saturday where we stopped at Le Sirenuse , an incredible view and incredible food.

Overlooking iconic Positano from Le Sirenuse

Friday night was a treat on the Sorrento water front at Bagni Delfino

I recommend the Delfino to anyone visiting Sorrrento

On Saturday evening, dinner was at
Bistro Sorrento, up the hill a ways from the Hilton.

[Saturday] Looking over Sorrento from atop the Hilton rooftop Saturday morning.