#ferry converted to a home

[hometoursandotherstuff]

This wonderful 1970 Ferry converted to a home, in North Bend, Oregon has been taken off the market I assume b/c no one bought it. 4bds, 4ba, $698,500.

Isn't this nice? Look at the windows, they're so pretty. The home needs a good cleaning and updating. The photos are dated 2019, so who knows if looks any worse now, but mostly it only looks like cosmetic work. The last time the home was sold was in 2020.

The boat was owned by an actress and a model that were known for their parties- I don't doubt that- look at how long the bar is. It even has a tap and an ice bin.

Boat seats and port holes decorate this room with a beautiful view.

The home is on the shore of Coos Bay.

Beautiful door. There are some lovely details in this home.

It has a very large kitchen with lots of wood cabinetry in excellent shape. So much storage.

Nice big dining area. This home has lots of potential.

It's a huge space- the living room fits a grand piano. I like the glass door and wall. It's not all boat, though, there's an addition that's built onto it.

Look at the unusual fireplace.

In the middle of the floor is a ships wheel. The room is very large and the walls are lovely with the glass and portholes.

It appears that the actual ferry is for entertaining.

What a cozy conversation area.

The guest bathroom has a built-in bench.

Stairs to an upper level or mezzanine. I don't know why there appears to be caution tape on the step, though.

Here's a formal dining room.

It appears that this is a family room. I don't think it's a bedroom b/c it's so open.

Here's a nice bathroom.

The surrounding garden just needs a little trim and it's good to go.

Adorable little footbridge.

The home is on a .62 acre lot.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1225-Ferry-Rd-North-Bend-OR-97459/75134679_zpid/

[carionto]

Ignition

Once the Galactic Coalition had (without other realistic options) given Humanity an equal position among the governing bodies, despite the fact they were a single planet race, the initial dread of what they would do eased. A little. When they showed how they powered their impossibly massive vessels, the fears of our ancestors who deemed the Responsibility Barrier a necessity reemerged a thousandfold.

The Humans, with a slight grin, said "Solar power, of course."

They took a delegation within the bowels of one of their smaller, civilian research craft, which was still bulkier, better armored, and more worryingly - better armed than most flagships of the other predator-races. Were we not able to see with our own eyes their actual, what they aptly call, Dreadnoughts, from distances you would normally need a telescope, we would have assumed this was their mightiest warship. Yet it was just one of hundreds.

As we passed through the ludicrously thick and seemingly excessive number of bulkheads and shielded and compartmentalized hallways, the ever present hum of raw power beneath our feet gradually became nerve-wracking. What is that? It reminded us of stories told by those who traveled near Black Holes - of the sheer vastness and infinite apathy they felt from the all consuming entities.

A dozen or so biometric gates later, we were greeted by a gigantic sphere, easily a hundred and fifty meters in diameter, an abomination of reinforced panels, wiring, heat pumps, and countless tubes, hanging from numerous power conduits in the middle of an even more massive chamber from behind our observation platform. A true, pure fusion reactor. And there were Humans, in full protective suits at least, working directly next to it within the ominous chamber.

"We wanted to give you a demonstration of our advances in the past millennia, so please observe as we turn on this one."

This one? As in... the power we were feeling was not from this monstrosity? We had to ask.

"Oh, of course not, this ship has three such reactors, we recently performed a full maintenance on this and decided to delay reactivating it for you to see."

The delegates' mouths (or equivalents) were agape. Sure, nuclear fusion is known far and wide, but due to it's high potential for cataclysmic failure, or worse, deliberate destruction, the vast majority of such reactors were mostly found in deep space stations where solar radiation was scarce. Background radiation converters, while efficient at what they do, were nowhere sufficient enough for anything more than as passive emergency battery chargers. And no civilization kept fusion reactors anywhere near populated or colonizeable planets.

Yet here they were, looking at one nearly five times larger than any other known or attempted. And there were three on this ship alone. They counted hundreds of similar size, a few dozen of their Dreadnoughts, thousands of smaller vessels ferrying between the stations, the surface, and other larger ships. Countless world ending bombs-in-waiting right around the Humans' only home.

"Yeah, us science ships get the biggest ones, kinda need the extra oomph for our projects. The military kids like their redundancies, so theirs are smaller."

A slight relief.

"I think their newest capital ship, the UGSF Caliban of York, has fifteen, each about half ours."

A few delegates passed out. Their attendants rushed to salvage some dignity, but Captain Knoslark of this vessel, The Radiant Dusk at Everest, didn't seem surprised or offended and simply waited for the delegation to regain composure before continuing.

"This is my favorite part."

He said quietly with a glint in his eyes, then his tone changed to a more formal and authoritative one.

"Chief Engineer Ira Tameki, status of Reactor 2."

"All green, Captain. She's ready to purr to life at your command."

"Good. Then," his tone shifted once again, to a far more theatrical one as he took a pose, half turning his body and extending his right hand towards the reactor, index finger pointing dramatically. As he pronounced every syllable of the next word, there was a silent resigned sigh from his crew:

"ignition!"

Outwardly, nothing of significance changed. The engineers clicked at their consoles, bars slowly rose and everyone was deliberately doing their best to make it clear they were ignoring the fact that the captain was still in the same pose.

There was a muffled thump from the chamber, then the hum beneath their feet became a rumble for a few moments before steadying back to a now slightly more intense almost-buzz. Physically, nothing all that noteworthy. Mentally, everyone in the delegation was in true shock as they fully understood what they had just witnessed done all too casually:

The birth of a star.

[lillified]

regarding your piece “outlaws” is it intended to be like an apartment or a spaceship? until corrected, and probably still after, i’m choosing to believe that swindle is doing the equivalent of living in his van

that being said, where *do* the other (they don’t let him inside 💔) decepticons live? I don’t think it’s been shown thus far

hey, that’s a great question!

the “outlaws” piece you see is from an earlier point in the war, and the location is Swindle’s passenger ship, The Knave. It isn’t meant to be a living space, but he’s converted it and uses it a bit like an RV/motor home. Since he spent most of his time (and kept a lot of his stuff) in there, it was one of his prized possessions. In the Outlaws pic he has it parked in a mostly Autobot occupied part of downtown Protihex, where he operates it like a caravan to sell weapons and things to patrolling soldiers.

This actually brings up a great opportunity to talk a bit more about locations, specifically airships and spaceships (I promise it’s relevant to the main Cons);

So, there are many different types of aircraft (beyond the Bots who can physically fly, obviously). On the smallest side you get tactical drones and fighter craft, which are either remotely manned or manned by one Bot, who physically controls the ship by hooking up to a sensory chamber-style pod. These are much less ideal than having a flightforme, but were developed out of necessity, given the central Cybertronian government and fliers have tended to be on opposite sides at different points of history (this trend remains true for the Autobots, who are at a severe deficiency).

Next up are scout ships, which fit a small squadron of Cybertronians (think the size of the X wing in starwars).

After that you get into passenger ship territory, where aircraft have multiple rooms. Swindle’s ship fits this category. They aren’t intended as mobile residences and moreso exist to carry large quantities of ‘Bots over a longer distance, like a train or a cruise ship with basic amenities, but as the war progressed it was hard not to find different uses for them.

Passenger ships can be very specialized, and the only major difference between the larger varieties and true warships is that passenger ships aren’t outfitted with guns or any other involved defenses. Ferry ships are extremely massive passenger ships designed in Nova’s expansion era with the intent of carrying nearly a city’s worth of people across space, to populate new colonies. As suggested, most of these ships were built well before the war, so their defense capabilities weren’t geared for conflict.

The last category, as suggested, are warships. Most warships were manufactured during the war, but there are some that were recovered from pre-Quintesson era. These can range in size from the capacity of a small hotel to an entire military base, or even a city. Their scope is only limited by the ability to fuel them, and many warships were designed to act as mobile camps in the event of crisis and exodus.

As of the current day, the Decepticons have essentially been exiled. The last major conflict on Cybertron put the Autobots in control of most major territories and left both sides materially decimated. Until they can regroup and establish resource control again, the only real strategy the Decepticons have is to lay low and survive.

This leaves Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Lockdown, Ravage, and Knockout on the Determination, which is a small scale warship. Like many slapdash offensive craft, it is flimsy and unreliable, but currently their only real option.

You haven’t seen most of it, but I can give you some sneak peeks:

you’ll see what these are for very soon…

As of right now, that’s all I have for you on spacecraft! I hope that answered your question :) thanks!

[staticspaces]

French Style Chateau

Have you checked out the video yet!?

Now on to the primary suite, this main bedroom was huge, including a massive ensuite with a round stained glass window…as well as a few more photos of the staircase from the second floor!!

This mansion was built in 1985 on two lots in The Bridle Path neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada and was designed to resemble a French style chateau. The 30,000 square foot mega mansion had 10 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, and was located on a huge four acre property that also included a tennis court. It also had a granite cobblestone driveway, a horseshoe staircase at the back and extensive gardens which completed the experience of living in a castle in France.

Originally built by Robert Campeau a financier and real estate developer. Robert began his career by building just one single house in 1949 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His company then known as Campeau Corp was also responsible for building Scotia Plaza, a hi rise built in 1988 in the financial district of Toronto, as well as the Harbour Castle Hotel in 1975. In the 80s, Campeau began a series of leveraged buyouts of companies, both in Canada and the United States. The final company was Federated Department Stores, the owners of Bloomingdale's for $7 billion. This was the beginning of the end for Campeau Corp, as they filed for Bankruptcy in 1990, one of the largest in history. Robert was forced to sell the home in 1990.

The home was purchased in 2002 by Harold and Sara Springer who entrusted architect Gordon Ridgely, interior designer Brian Gluckstein, and landscape architect Ronald Holbrook to bring their vision to life. They brought in 17th century antique furniture from france, original royal academy paintings, Italian marble and even crystal chandeliers.

Other features of the large house included a two-story indoor Olympic-size swimming pool with a retractable floor that converts into a ballroom. It also had an elevator, an oak wood bar, recording studio and even its very own bomb shelter!

The mansion has been featured in several movies including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's 'It Takes Two', 'Kissinger and Nixon', 'That Old Feeling' as well as most recently in an episode of Suits. A party was also held for Jane Fonda in the two-storey ballroom, which was then disassembled overnight so that Campeau could swim in the pool the next day with Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

The Springer's listed the chateau for sale including all of its contents starting in 2014 for $25 million and was last publicly listed in 2018 for $39,500,000. Finally, the home was purchased by Nascond Holdings in 2020 for $30.8 million.

Nascond Holdings is a company owned by the Muzzo Group which is a well known development company in the area. Marco Muzzo caused a drunk driving crash that killed four people and seriously injured two others. It was a very high profile incident several years ago, because of his ties to such a wealthy family. There was also a guest list of people found in the home including Marco's name as the host of the party.

The mansion was demolished shortly after my visit in August of 2022. Not much happened after that until more recently when some activity began to happen on the property. Ferris Rafauli who was also behind Drake's Bridle Path Mansion, is the designer and builder behind the new mansion that will take shape in the coming years.

[ventingfanfics]

Better Together (Shuri x Reader)

You’d had enough. Without a word, you stood and retreated from the room of partygoers. You didn’t stop walking until the door was in front of you, your hand shaking as you unturned the knob and set yourself free. The sound of quick footsteps that followed were ignored by you. 

“Y/N,” a voice called, slipping outside into the humidity with you before you could close the door. It was Shuri. Really, it should have been your girlfriend, not your girlfriend’s friend, that came to check on you.

Her eyes softly regarded you. She knew you were upset, and she couldn’t blame you. Still feeling not only irritated but embarrassed, you turned forward. 

“Do you want me to take you home?” 

Regretfully, you had ridden with your girlfriend in her car to the house party. You wished you’d taken your car instead. 

“That’s sweet, but I don’t want to take you away from them,” You said, referring to her friends that were still most likely enjoying themselves inside. Including your girlfriend.

Shuri kissed her teeth, not the least bit worried about the party. “No, come on. I’ll take you home.” Her tone of voice and the look on her face indicated this was no longer an offer but an order. You metaphorically shrugged and took your place in the passenger’s seat of one of her favorite cars: the purple Lexus LC 500.

One of your new favorite songs played as the convertible got on the road. You sang along and even danced a little in your seat. A small smile rested on Shuri’s face. She cranked the volume and drove faster. 

When the song finished, Shuri noticed you were ready to talk, so she lowered the volume. 

“I’m not a jealous person,” You said. “I just don’t see why she has to obsess over this girl. There’s having a crush and there’s being disrespectful.” You glanced at Shuri who looked passive. 

She caught your gaze. “I’m listening.”

“I knew when I met her that she liked her, and didn’t mind. But she’s doing too much. It’s like she wants to make me jealous. Always praising and drooling over her—in front of everyone, no less.”

Shuri now looked disgusted. 

“I don’t know what’s wrong with your friend,” You finished. 

“Neither do I.”

You had noticed that you weren’t near your house at all, though you didn’t mind. However, you were shocked to see you pull into Wakandaland. 

Shuri parked the car and laughed softly at your reaction, completely focusing on you. “You forgive me, Y/N?”

You laughed. “You’re lucky I’m into rides.”

And ride you did. This outing brought out your inner child. It was nice to see Shuri having fun as well. She had shared that she was developing a new attraction to the park. 

“Sssh, don’t tell anyone,” She’d told you when you were on a calmer ride that reminded you of the ferris wheel, but better. “It’s top secret.”

Your eyes widened. “That’s amazing, Shuri!” 

She smiled hard, and you resisted the urge to kiss her cheek. “I know. I am a little nervous, but mostly excited.”

“Look at you, expanding your talents. You can do anything, girl. Anything you set your mind to.”

You didn’t dwell on her deep stare at the latter statement. It was enough to warm your body, though, you ignored it. You instead put your attention to your phone for the first time since you’d arrived. You sucked your teeth. “Can you believe she only called me once and didn’t even leave a voicemail or text?” 

Realizing you were talking to yourself, your eyes darted around the park, seeing some families and couples, but no Shuri. As you walked around and got ready to contact her, you felt someone cover your eyes. 

“Y/N Y/L/N?” If not for her poor attempt of disguising her voice, you would have screamed and jumped into action. She laughed when you swatted her, softly glaring at her. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.Does this make up for it?” She revealed a prize that she’d just won for you. Your face broke into a smile. 

~~

The night came to an end. Or so it seemed as Shuri walked you to your door. Why did you feel nervous? You typically felt relaxed around Shuri. You didn’t know if it was because she was the one who always checked on you when your girlfriend acted out of line or because you were used to your girlfriend leaving Shuri to look after you. 

In this moment you felt like someone who just went on a date and liked it. You wondered if Shuri would kiss you. A part of you felt like a school girl who wanted to replay your time together. The other part didn’t want it to end. 

“Well, I hope you had fun, Y/N,” She said, clasping her hands in front of her. She looked at you genuinely. Her voice gave away that she was a little nervous. Was she feeling what you were feeling?

“I had a blast,” You said with a smile, feeling comfortable again. “Thank you for taking my mind off my joke of a relationship—once again.”

Shuri’s own smile faded. “I meant it earlier when I said I don’t know why she mistreats you. She’s so into that girl from social media that she fails to see what’s in front of her, and how lucky she is.”

Your eyes glimmered. “You would make a girl lucky, too.”

Her face lit up. “Yeah?”

“Of course! If I was a different kind of girl, I would’ve…let’s just say, I’ve been on my best behavior, especially when she makes it so easy to cheat with you.” 

Shuri’s eyebrows went up and she smiled, stepping closer. “What are you saying?” You’d never seen her stare harder.

“No, I was just saying that she’s always leaving us together and you’re always cleaning up her mess, treating me the way she should be treating me…” You spoke a little too fast, your words running together. Shuri found it cute. 

She licked her lips and stepped even closer, holding eye contact. “You know, I used to feel guilty for having certain thoughts about you. But we both know she doesn’t deserve you.” 

Your heart could burst from all the butterflies. “What kind of—“

The loudness of a car door slamming shut interrupted you. You and Shuri whipped your heads to see your girlfriend approach your residence. You looked at Shuri whose visage turned firm. 

“Were you about to kiss my girl?” Your girlfriend asked her. 

You scoffed, “You have a lot of damn nerve.”

“Yeah, whatever. Unlock the door, will ya?”

You just scowled at her until you heard Shuri try to calm you with an “it’s okay.” Like magic, you felt relaxed again and opened your door. To your surprise your girlfriend didn’t follow you. 

She confronted Shuri. “I think you’re taking this ‘look after Y/N’ thing a little too seriously, don’t you think?” 

Shuri didn’t back down.“Then woman up and do your job.” Truthfully, she didn’t want that to happen. She wanted her to continue to screw up. 

Girlfriend leaned back. “Letting that white horse, savior shit go to your head, huh?”

Shuri narrowed her eyes. “There is so much wrong with that statement, but for the sake of my time, I won’t even go there. Y/N has been putting up with your mess for too long. She’s over it, and so am I.”

“Oh, she’s over it, huh? Y/N, are you over it? Are you leaving me?” She called loudly, coming into the house.

“Do not taunt her!” Shuri said, following her.

You rolled your eyes as girlfriend tried to reach for you. “Yes, I am over it. Worry about Deleelah Joy.”

“That’s not fair, babe, she’s a celebrity—“

“You couldn’t even check on me and see if I was okay! I left your friends’ house and was gone for three hours and you only contacted me once! You do this all the time! I deserve better! The way you always leave me with Shuri, you must want me with her anyway!”

Shuri mean-mugged your girlfriend while your girlfriend frowned at your words. You refused to let her sadness affect you. 

“All of this over a celebrity crush, babe?” 

“Could you imagine if I always talked about Letitia Wright and bragged over how fine and smart and talented she is? How sexy she is? Always gushing over her and showing you her posts?”

“Letitia Wright…who’s Letitia Wright…oh, the one who looks like Shuri?”

Both of you looked at Shuri who was shaking her head to herself. You couldn’t help but smile and she mustered a soft smile of her own at you. 

Your girlfriend noticed this connection you and Shuri seemed to share. The smile on your face was one she hadn’t seen in a while. It was rare and it was stunning. Now that she thought about it, you tended to look serious, annoyed, or tense when she was around you. You had stopped smiling at her the way you were smiling at Shuri. 

“You do favor her, you know,” You mentioned, since it was brought up.

Her smile grew. “I will take that as a compliment.”

“You should.”

Damn, I can’t deny they look cute, Your girlfriend thought. She had some serious thinking or reflecting to do. Without a word, she took her leave. You and Shuri exchanged looks after watching her retreating frame. You heard the door close and you shrugged.

Shuri went over to you and pulled you into a hug. Sighing, you leaned into her warm embrace, engulfing her tall lithe frame. 

“I think she knows we’d be better together,” Shuri said, working calm circles into your lower back and hip.

~~~

Months later

“Give me a kiss, usana.”

Your lips happily touched and moved together. Your bodies melded as you tasted each other’s mouthes and swallowed any sounds between you. The both of you were left a breathing mess. Shuri’s head tilted against the wall as her hands gripped your ass. You grinned to yourself at how aroused she was. 

“We have to touch up our makeup, but it’s okay,” You said, laughing some. This was a big day for Shuri. She was moments away from giving an address about the new attractions to Wakandaland. 

“I need you to calm me down, not heat me up,” Shuri joked. 

“You’re gonna kill it, my love. Like always.” 

“Do you remember when I told you about it?”

You playfully rolled your eyes. Shuri had become something of an old-timer when she would often recall sharing with you that she’d been developing something for Wakandaland and how that same day sealed your fate as a couple. 

“Why you gotta hate on our history? That was an important day for us.”

You giggled at the language she chose and lifted her hand, kissing it. “I love that you find that day just as special as I do.”

[myhauntedsalem]

The History of Zombie Road

Zombie Road has quite a reputation as a place where shadowy figures and other non human entities have long been reported.

Gregory Myers of the Paranormal Task Force presents this piece on the history and deaths of one of the most haunted locations in the United States.

Within the urban sprawl of St. Louis lies a remote area called “Zombie Road”. Urban Legend tells a variety of eerie tales which include being host to ritualistic and occult practices which spawned inhuman and demonic entities while other tales tell of those who met their peculiar demise and still roam this desolate road in the afterlife.

“Zombie Road”, real name “Lawler Ford Road” is about 2 miles long through a valley of forest oak land hills and ends near the Meramec River in the Glencoe, MO area where it meets the newly established “Al Foster” trail.

The history of this area goes back to ancient Native American times where this was one of the few pathways cut by nature over the centuries through the bluffs to the Meramec River area just beyond them. It is believed that travelling ancient Native Americans used this pathway for foot travel and also quarried flint here for the making of various tools and weapons.

In the early 1800’s a Ferry (boat) was operated at the bottom area of this passage at times where a ford was located in the river for settlers and travellers to cross the Meramec River to the other side where the Lewis family owned much of the land. The origin of the road name is unknown to historians even today.

Ninian Hamilton a settler from Kentucky was the first settler to occupy and own land in this area in 1803. After his death in 1856, James E. Yeatman a prominent St. Louis citizen, a founder of the Mercantile Library and president of the Merchants Bank acquired the large parcel of land that Mr. Hamilton settled and owned.

The Pacific Railroad completed their railroad line from St. Louis to Pacific along the Meramec River in this area in the 1850’s. Della Hamilton the wife of Henry McCullough, who was Justice of the Peace for about thirty years and Judge of the County Court from 1849 to 1852, was struck and killed by a train in this area in 1876.

The first large scale gravel operations on the Meramec River began at what would become Yeatman junction in this area. Gravel was taken from the Meramec River and moved on rail cars into St. Louis. The first record of this operation is in the mid-1850’s. Later, steam dredges were used, to be supplanted by diesel or gasoline dredges in extracting gravel from the channel and from artificial lakes dug into the banks. This continued until the 1970’s.

From about 1900 until about 1945, Glencoe and this area was one of the resort communities of the Meramec River’s clubhouse era. Many of the homes were summer clubhouses, later converted to year round residences then lost to the great local floods of the 1990’s.

Some say this is called Zombie Road because the railroad workers who once worked here rise from their graves at times to roam about. Some insist that they have heard old time music, seen anomalous moving lights and other ghostly sightings from that forgotten era. Another tale tells of a patient nicknamed “Zombie” who escaped from a nearby mental facility never to be seen again. His blood soaked gown was later found lying upon the old road later named after him.

Other tales include one of an original settler who met their demise upon the railroad tracks. Another includes a pioneer who lost his wife in a poker game then went back to his homestead and took his own life. Many still report seeing these lonely spirits even today.

During the age of Prohibition a nearby town housed speak-easies and the summer homes of well known gangsters. Tales tell of individuals who were dealt a bad hand by such public enemies resulting in their permanent placement within the ground or bordering river to never be seen again.

The bordering river has tragically delivered many to the other side through the years. Children and adults alike have taken their last living breath within its dangerous waters before being found washed up on its shores. Even during this new millennium, several children met their demise one day within its banks.

The railroad still shows “Death hath no mercy” as many have met their final fate upon its tracks. Local lifelong residents can still remember multitudes of tragic occurrences dating back to the 1950’s. One of these occurred in the 1970’s when two teens were struck by an oncoming train. Some of the local residents were used in search parties to find the body parts scattered about the area.

During the 1990’s a mother and her five year old child were crossing a bridge when an oncoming train met them. The mother’s last action was pushing her five year old child off the bridge. The engineer was able to stop the train and save the child. Although the mother died, this is still one of the happiest endings to a story this area will provide.

More recent past has seen this area become refuge for those wanting privacy to practice the occult and other rituals. Who can really know what true doorways to the darkness or unknown were opened here.

During the 1960’s a couple in their late teens were on top of the bluffs overlooking the road below. The male somehow lost footing and during the fall caught his face in a fork of a small tree growing out from the side of the bluff. His face and scalp remained while the rest of him fell to his death upon the road below. Others have also met their demise from the high bluffs above.

The area has also seen its share of suicides and murders. In the 1970’s a hunter stumbled across a car still running at the end the road. Closer inspection revealed a hose running from the exhaust pipe to the inside of the car with the driver slumped over the steering wheel.

One can agree that there is no lack of legends or tragedies surrounding this area which can explain the bizarre and eerie encounters of those who visit. I was one who became truly intrigued and attracted by such lore and was determined to either prove or disprove the Urban Legends surrounding it.

Missouri Paranormal Research (now a division of Paranormal Task Force, Inc.), the paranormal investigative team I belong to, investigated this area on several occasions. Our visits converted many true skeptics into true believers of the paranormal. I was one of those the first time and even remarked “This was going to be like Winnie the Pooh looking for a ghost in 100 Acre Woods” prior to descending onto the old road.

Within an hour several people observed a human sized shadow figure as it descended upon them from a small bluff nearby. It then ran onto the road, stopped, then disappeared into the darkness of the night. Throughout the night others heard unexplained voices, were touched by the unseen and witnessed the unexplained. This was one night that everyone could conclude that indeed some Urban Legends actually are real!

[jroycethethird]

Rain, Rain Go Away (please)

setting: sometime after capture the flag

featuring: j. royce van doren iii, a strange rain cloud, and could that be… nyra odeyer? @nyraxodeyer

He felt sick. Positively sick. In all his thirty six years of life, there were very few things Royce had truly regretted. He regretted not coming back most summers while he was away at college to watch his sisters grow. He regretted not investing in a few startups which, despite his predictions, did stupidly well and could have earned him a great return. He regretted how he’d handled his marriage, and the way it ended. And now, he regretted toying with a wonderful woman’s affections for him just to win a stupid game. He tried to reason with himself that the coven needed it, that the coven needed a win. The morale had been so low as of late, they needed something good to build confidence again. It’s why he busted his ass trying to get them victory after victory, tried to encourage his teammates to strategize, to be clever, helped them when disadvantages came up. They needed this. So maybe he could have helped secure victory another way. He knew she could portal things around, and he knew how to distract her from not doing that. But after a couple days of ignoring her existence, only to strut up to Aiyla with his charming smile, calling her by the affectionate nickname he gave her, and promising this meeting wasn’t about the game. No it was about them, he was here to talk about them… Only to distract her with a kiss for just until they seized victory… Royce felt a swell of nausea as he thought about it again. It wasn’t a clever strategy, it was just cruel.

He’d been wallowing in the thoughts, a deep furrow splitting his brow, as he walked back from the pier. To celebrate? No, he’d been on the Ferris Wheel for a couple victory laps, but he felt it would be best to go home. So Royce walked a shameful walk towards his car, parked somewhere by the river before he’d tagged along with his team to Downtown. As he walked, he felt a sensation tapping against his head and shoulders, not exactly registering it until he felt it against his face, right by his eye. Royce blinked then, shaking his head as one by one drops began to fall, dripping down over his frame. Rain wasn’t in the forecast, was it? He swore it was supposed to be a clear and warm day. But it was raining… and the downpour began to grow. “Goddammit, of course I’d be caught in a random rain storm,” he groaned, his clothes quickly becoming soaked through. The polo he wore began to cling, his trousers uncomfortable and heavy against his legs. He began walking faster, trying to outrun the downpour. His car must be near and — oh no, his top was down! He needed to run, picking up his speed as he bolted down the walk and turned his head just then to see a car driving slowly pass, the driver gaping out from their convertible at the man. Convertible with the top down. Wait… Royce stopped, blinking at them as they passed by, drifting off on a sunny, dry street while he stood there getting drenched. But… but it was raining… wasn’t it? That’s when he looked up, blinking against the onslaught of water droplets to finally register a single rain cloud standing directly over his person. But that would mean…

Just as he registered it, Royce looked aside and saw her — a face he often saw from the corner of his vision during council meetings as he stole glances across the room. He frowned, lips dragging downward as he glowered at the woman not too far from him. Running a hand over his wet face, getting more and more drenched by the second, Royce began walking in her direction, the ground beneath him being speckled in rain, a long dark trail following his path across the dry pavement. “Nyra,” he greeted through grit teeth as he came closer to her. He sniffled then, shivering under the unending downpour, and pointed a single finger up at the cloud dumping buckets of rain over him. “Your handy work, I presume?” She was a siren, confirmed during their dodgeball game during this whole event, and he knew a bit about them. Didn’t he ask Aiyla over pillow talk all about the differences between members of her court? Yes, and he remembered what she’d said. Weather manipulation. That was their thing, wasn’t it? “A little immature, don’t you think?” He knew it was hypocritical before he said it, but he was kind of pissed he was being soaked over stupid relationship drama. Friendship drama. They were just friends, or were before this. But this was infuriating. “Do you maybe want to cut off the waterworks?”

[blindmagdalena]

Another song that reminds me of Homelander

Everybody Loves You Now by Billy Joel

Baby all the lights are turned on you Now you're in the center of the stage Everything revolves on what you do Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age

And you can always have your way somehow But everybody loves you now

You can walk away from your mistakes You can turn your back on what you do Just a little smile is all it takes Yeah, you can have your cake and eat it too

Loneliness will get to you somehow But everybody loves you now

Ah, they all want your white body And they await your reply Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry So do I

All the people want to know your name Soon there will be lines outside your door Feelings do not matter in your game Yeah, 'cause nothing's gonna touch you anymore

So your life is only living anyhow And everybody loves you now

Close your eyes when you don't want to see Stay at home when you don't want to go Only speak to those who will agree Yeah, and close your mind when you don't want to know

You have lost you innocence somehow But everybody loves you now

Ah, you know that nothing lasts forever And it's all been done before Ah, but you ain't got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor No more

See how all the people gather 'round Hey, isn't it a thrill to see them crawl? Keep your eyes ahead and don't look down Yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall

This is what you wanted; ain't you proud? Cause everybody loves you now

ohhhhhh my gosh yes YES! 😭 honestly i’ve never listened to much billy joel but you are converting me here. this feels like something that would play during a high point and then reprise during one of his meltdowns

[under-zero-au]

Underzero is a WIP Au by us, (us being @sariels-world-ella and @strawberry-lemonade38 ) where the surface world was plummeted into a nuclear winter destroying most of the surface world, but the barrier managed to sheild the underground from the damage and radiation but plummeted them in a deep winter as well.

Dr. W.D Gaster is a brillant scientist with old man/single dad who tries too hard, and has sad man at a walmart vibes who just wants the best for Sans and Papyrus. He is the one who theoriezed that the surface world was in a nuclear winter but Toriel and Asgore didn't really believe that claim, and with Chara refusing to comfirm it, no one really believed him (besides Sans, Papyrus and Riverperson, though Riverperson pretended not to just so they can playfully mess with Gaster)

Riverperson was a boat ferry worker who changed their boat into a sled after the tempature massive decreassing. They like to speak in rhyme, say crypic things, and being a bit of a prick in an endearing playful way. They were one of the few monsters that Gaster really thought of as a friend, but it's not entirely certain if Riverperson returns this friendship setiment.

Gaster: "WHY DOES NO ONE BELIEVE ME?"

Sans and Papyrus: "We believe you!"

Gaster: "IF I TOLD YOU THE MOON WAS MADE OF CHEESE, YOU WOULD BELIEVE ME WITHOUT QUESTION, BUT THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME." disjointed one frame comics---- (it's like 9 degrees kelvin in the void.)

------ Gaster: "RIVER, YOU'RE MY ONLY FRIEND PLEASE SAY YOU BELIEVE ME!!! ALSO, HOW DID YOU CONVERT YOUR BOAT IN A SLED SO FAST?" River: "Friend? Oh, I thought you were just too lazy to teleport home every day." Gaster: "RIVER, PLEASE!!!!!"

[mikimeiko]

Daytrip - To the lake! And the weather is good this time!

Ok, now that the weather is finally warm enough is time to go back to the lake and the hills/mountains! I'm staying in Lombardy today, and that means I get to use the Ioviaggio ticket, which is a day pass (or 2 days, or 3 days, or a week) that you can use on any regional train, every bus, every tram, every metro, some funiculars and even some lake ferries :3 (not today though) inside Lombardy (actually you can also get to a couple of places in Piedmont, Emilia Romagna and Veneto but only by train. Oh, and two cities in Switzerland! which is very amusing).

Am I going to describe every transport pass I use? Why yes, of course! It might make you want to come here and try them :D

First stop: Luino

I've been to Luino before, but this is the first time I see the historical town centre? The other times I must have stuck to the lakeside, but it is actually very pretty.

Luino is one of those eerie places that was clearly really prosperous at a certain point of history and then (slowly? all of a sudden?) lost its importance/status. The train station is huge and quite elegant, the newish part of the town and the lakeside are full of gorgeous art nouveau buildings, many of those former hotels now converted to other uses.

In 2019 I started a sort of project, an instagram page called Ognistazione that I hoped at some point to turn into a website, a combination of my wanderlust and my completionism: visiting every train station in Lombardy and see what you can find there (unofficial motto: there's always something to see), exploring railway lines one stop at a time. When the lockdown started I was only two stations short on my second line; the first thing I did when the three weeks from my second dose of vaccine were over was to go to those two stations and finish that line. Life was hectic at the time, and a few months passed before I started a new line, but still something was a little bit off and I keeping it up started to feel more like a chore than anything else. So it went on an indefinite hiatus (I briefly revived the page during last summer's train tour, though it was a little off topic).

But today, while I was on the train in a direction I hadn't traveled in a while, I actually felt like trying again. Because really, it's just this weird project that is not really about trains and it's not really about daytrips and it's not really about discovering hidden gems but it kinda is all of these things, and at the best of times it felt like a little nudge to get me on a train and wandering even when I thought I didn't have the energy so I don't know. Let's try again I guess.

(With some modifications, there were aspects that were unsustainable and I don't really care for unsustainability in my free time) (Also would anyone maybe be interested in a tumblr version? I'm not sure if it could work or how it could work but I could try!)

So north we go, to Pino sulla sponda del Lago Maggiore!

LOVE when you can see the water from the train platform.

I've been here once before and I kinda thought I'll never come back again because to get to the town from the train station you have to go up these:

(they continue for a while, this is just the first bit). I am a city dweller made of jello, going up stone stairs for any amount of time kills me every time and I hate it!

But the town is quite nice, and the view of the lake is ALMOST worth it.

Since I'm not dead after all, I decide to go to the next stop, Maccagno, which is luckily BY the lake and not OVER the lake.

I decided to go back via a different route, with a bus for Varese passing through the hills (there used to be a railway ;_; but as it happened to many smaller railways it was decommissioned in the 50s. In Ghirla there's still the old station building and they converted the platforms into bus stops).

It was a good idea because the route is very pretty. It was a bad idea because it picked up all the kids going home from school (WHY DO I ALWAYS FORGET THAT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL KIDS HAVE SCHOOL ON SATURDAYS).

Then I waited far too long at Varese train station, and I was cold and tired and sad, but then? The light got beautiful (:

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

“[I] just go to the junkyard and see what I could get,” he told The New York Times in 2010. “Went by the iron man, the boat man, the timber man. Ran by every month. If they had no use for it, I took it.”

He collected air conditioner fans, ceiling fans, industrial fans — the biggest is 25 feet across — and covered them with reflective pieces of highway signs that he cut by hand, so that when light hits them at night, the sculptures dazzle like fireworks or church windows that spin. He swears he didn’t measure, didn’t weigh, yet each windmill, as he called them, moves with engineered precision.

“I don’t use a ruler much,” he said on YouTube. “I can go down there with a hacksaw and I can come within a damn eighth of an inch just guessing at it.”

Simpson was one of the greatest visionary artists in the country, says Roger Manley, director and curator of the Gregg Museum of Art + Design in Raleigh, North Carolina, and author of Signs and Wonders: Outsider Art Inside North Carolina. “I think he’s North Carolina’s greatest sculptor, not just great self-taught sculptor.”

Rebecca Hoffberger, the founder and recently retired director of the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, agrees. “The level of Vollis’s imagination and the scale in which he was working is without precedent.”

Simpson trained himself on the math and mechanics to turn other people’s discards into brightly colored and whimsical Ferris wheels, clowns on bicycles, airplanes and rocket ships, men pulling a long saw, his son playing a guitar, ducks, horses, and dogs, all representations of his life as a farmer, father, and soldier.

Simpson was one of 12 siblings, born in 1919 in tiny Lucama, North Carolina. His father was a farmer, but Simpson was more interested in the machinery, eventually building a business moving houses and heavy farm equipment. In 1941 he was serving in the military on the island of Saipan when he converted the propeller of a junked B-29 bomber into a windmill that powered a much-needed washing machine. Back on the farm, he invented crop sprayers and built 13 cranes by welding pulleys, booms, and gantries, Manley says, and attaching them to the back of Army surplus trucks. He used them to move brick buildings or huge factory machinery, to pick up combines stuck in the mud or — legend has it — a locomotive when it fell off a trestle bridge.

He was in his 60s when he started building whirligigs for the fun of it.

He had prestigious visitors as well. In the mid-1990s, Hoffberger was preparing to open the American Visionary Art Museum. She’d seen Simpson’s work in Manley’s book, and after Manley introduced the two, she commissioned Simpson to create a signature piece, the visual draw to her new museum. Manley drove Simpson to Baltimore to see the site. Simpson, who had never been out of his home state except during his military stint, didn’t know how to ride an escalator and had never seen multiple-crossover overpasses. “It was like taking somebody from back in time,” Manley said.

Simpson crafted the 55-foot Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, repeatedly voted as the most beloved public art in Baltimore, so precisely calibrated for the space that it looks like visitors could reach out and touch it from the balcony.

He took his sons up to help install it in 1993, Hoffberger says, sinking an old Exxon pole 13 feet into the ground, Mike Simpson climbing on the structure while his father held a rope to keep the boom from swinging in the wind.

“He must have done that for well over three hours,” Hoffberger said. Then a staff member offered to give Simpson a break. “It took three of my young male staff to hold it, and they were only able to hold the boom for like a half-hour without being exhausted. And he had done it by himself. That’s how strong he was.”

Simpson was also smart. “If you listen to the man on YouTube, you would think he was dumb as a box of rocks,” says Mel Bowen, one of the men who maintain the sculptures. “But the man is not stupid. And he wasn’t lazy. He worked hard all his life.”

[charlesandmartine]

Monday 13th March 2023

We are on the 17th floor of our Darling Harbour downtown hotel. We look out across a bank of other hotel and apartment windows, many buildings much taller than ours, and each window appearing a mere dot representing a cell containing a little life. All humanity seems to be spread out before us with all its hopes, fears, expectations, ambitions and hurts. And that's probably what these little dots are thinking looking back at us, grey nomads.

Living in this part of Sydney for the first time and an area we are not so familiar with, it was time to push out to investigate. Well 11am that is. We crossed Darling Harbour by the 1902 Pyrmont Swing Bridge, now pedestrianised and a very pleasant walk with great views of West Sydney Harbour over to the National Maritime Museum. We didn't actually go inside since the collection of shipping berthed were interesting enough. HMAS Vampire - Destroyer decommissioned in 1986, HMAS Onslow - Oberon class Submarine decommissioned in 1999, HMB Endeavour - Replica of Cook's Bark are berthed here. Endeavour is a full sized facsimile and it is incredible that this tiny ship with a crew of 94, the original converted by the admiralty from a coal transporter, set sail in 1768 and travelled around the globe in the process of discovering Terra Australis Incognita for His Majesty King George. Further to the naval theme, the proposed AUKUS deal for the supply of new subs to Australia is a daily news item of great debate and interest on the TV news here.

Crossing the Pyrmont Bridge back again we traced the shoreline along the Darling Harbour, around the entrance, passing the observatory, under Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Campbell's Warehouse and into Circular Quay for a Vietnamese lunch competing with many Ibis birds who were anxiously awaiting a titbit or failing that an opportunity for outright theft.

P&O cruise ship Pacific Adventurer was Quayside today bound for Tangalooma with its queue of passengers snaking across the concourse; anticipation of a great holiday written across their faces. I hope the winds and waves will be kind to them.

Nicely full again we caught the 173x bus to Manly to do a spot of shopping and also to collect our third suitcase which we had parked at Jill's. Whilst in Manly we took the occasion to have a couple of flat whites by the wharf and our last visit to Coles in the Corso to buy our last supply of Tim Tams, last mango and then to Liquorland to buy our last bottle of SB, 'The Ned', unusually on offer at 12 dollars, almost cheaper than at home. Then we caught our last ferry back to Circular Quay, walked up George Street, turned right into Market Street and thus back to the hotel apartment. You can spot the theme here. We have to go home on Wednesday and we are aware of all the things that have made up everyday life for us over the last 10 weeks or so are coming to an end. Well we have tentatively booked Jill for next year.........

[derekhernandezfuentes]

For Decades Now, “Marc” Marcelo Viera the Florida State University student and now Lawyer for a Bankruptcy Firm under the Orders of his Certified Public Accountant mother “Josepha” “Josephina” Josephine Fify Viera the Nova Southeastern University’s MBA Queen student who trained her to be abusing little boys and feeding little boys to Grown Pedophiles such as Julio Hurtado through spying on teenagers and adults who are masturbating in their rooms in the privacy of the teenage and adult voyjeuring victims’ homes into speaking through phone jacks and phone lines, computers and cell phones in low volume vibrations to the victims to convert the victims into becoming Pedophiles to eliminate possible Business competition for Ms. Josephine Fify Viera, has been as Marcelo Viera spying on Straight Men’s sexual intercourses with women to then, in low volumes, interfere with their sex to get the Straight Men to think of little girls or boys before, during and in the middle of the Straight Men’s ejaculations to the Women. The Cyber Stalking continues from “Marc” Marcelo Viera when he continues to convince the Straight Men into admitting to people publicly on Facebook (as Sally Mercedes of Little Ferry, New Jersey has done to Gay Men in New Jersey, Florida and Colorado) as a “Voice” in their heads, by which “Josepha” “Josephina” Josephine Fify Viera’s friends are Psychiatrists who banned the Free Speech of Cyber Stalked victims with their “There’s no such thing as Voices in our heads and there’s no such thing as Cyber Stalkers, Cyber Criminals or Cyber Crime.” Josephine Fify Viera and her ex-husband Marcelo Viera, a Texan Cuban Engineer, have both been close friends with Julio Hurtado, a Cuban Pedophile and Cannibal of West New York and Englewood, New Jersey and Florida since the 1970s, the three teaming up with Truckers who kidnap girls, boys, teenagers, mothers, Gay teenagers, Gay college and university students, and the Disabled, along the highway heading from Georgia passed Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida through Louisiana where Jennifer Olson of Charles W Flanagan high school in Pembroke Pines, Florida who looks like Josephine Fify Viera and talks grumpily just like Josephine Fify Viera and her other son Alexander Viera, studied at LSU, Louisiana State University. The Truckers have ropes, knives, handkerchiefs, cyanide, and arsenic at hand — with plastic bags that are designed to package children’s toys and appliances from warehouses and department stores. Jennifer Olson was or may still be close friends with a Heather from Charles W Flanagan high school and Everglades high school since the years 2002 to 2005 and after, who looks like the thinner version of Obese White Clara Perez-Garcia the older woman, daughter of Jose “Poncho” and Margot Eugenia of West New York, New Jersey and Miami, Florida and cousin of Julio Hurtado the Gay Cuban Pedophile and Cannibal, especially with Heather’s and Clara’s identical haircuts and hairstyles.

[staticspaces]

French Style Chateau

Don't forget, there is also a very entertaining video of this location as well!!

Now let's shift our focus to the main staircase in the oversized front entry hall, it was pretty spectacular…there are also a few images from the second floor as well!!

This mansion was built in 1985 on two lots in The Bridle Path neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada and was designed to resemble a French style chateau. The 30,000 square foot mega mansion had 10 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, and was located on a huge four acre property that also included a tennis court. It also had a granite cobblestone driveway, a horseshoe staircase at the back and extensive gardens which completed the experience of living in a castle in France.

Originally built by Robert Campeau a financier and real estate developer. Robert began his career by building just one single house in 1949 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. His company then known as Campeau Corp was also responsible for building Scotia Plaza, a hi rise built in 1988 in the financial district of Toronto, as well as the Harbour Castle Hotel in 1975. In the 80s, Campeau began a series of leveraged buyouts of companies, both in Canada and the United States. The final company was Federated Department Stores, the owners of Bloomingdale's for $7 billion. This was the beginning of the end for Campeau Corp, as they filed for Bankruptcy in 1990, one of the largest in history. Robert was forced to sell the home in 1990.

The home was purchased in 2002 by Harold and Sara Springer who entrusted architect Gordon Ridgely, interior designer Brian Gluckstein, and landscape architect Ronald Holbrook to bring their vision to life. They brought in 17th century antique furniture from france, original royal academy paintings, Italian marble and even crystal chandeliers.

Other features of the large house included a two-story indoor Olympic-size swimming pool with a retractable floor that converts into a ballroom. It also had an elevator, an oak wood bar, recording studio and even its very own bomb shelter!

The mansion has been featured in several movies including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's 'It Takes Two', 'Kissinger and Nixon', 'That Old Feeling' as well as most recently in an episode of Suits. A party was also held for Jane Fonda in the two-storey ballroom, which was then disassembled overnight so that Campeau could swim in the pool the next day with Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

The Springer's listed the chateau for sale including all of its contents starting in 2014 for $25 million and was last publicly listed in 2018 for $39,500,000. Finally, the home was purchased by Nascond Holdings in 2020 for $30.8 million.

Nascond Holdings is a company owned by the Muzzo Group which is a well known development company in the area. Marco Muzzo caused a drunk driving crash that killed four people and seriously injured two others. It was a very high profile incident several years ago, because of his ties to such a wealthy family. There was also a guest list of people found in the home including Marco's name as the host of the party.

The mansion was demolished shortly after my visit in August of 2022. Not much happened after that until more recently when some activity began to happen on the property. Ferris Rafauli who was also behind Drake's Bridle Path Mansion, is the designer and builder behind the new mansion that will take shape in the coming years.

[monstertechnology]

A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Tourist Attractions

Ahmed maher 󱢏

2 min read

·

Just now

Are you planning your next vacation? Look no further than Istanbul, Turkey — a city where history, culture, and modernity intertwine seamlessly. As one of the world’s most captivating destinations, Istanbul offers an unforgettable experience for travelers. Let us guide you through the must-see attractions, activities, and tips for making the most of your Istanbul adventure.

Why Visit Istanbul?

Istanbul is a unique city that bridges two continents: Europe and Asia. With its rich history spanning over two millennia, vibrant markets, stunning architecture, and warm hospitality, Istanbul is a dream destination for every type of traveler. From ancient landmarks to modern amenities, Istanbul has it all.

Top Attractions in Istanbul

1. Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Originally built as a cathedral, later converted into a mosque, and now a museum, this iconic structure boasts breathtaking mosaics, an enormous dome, and centuries of history.

2. Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

Located opposite Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque is an architectural gem. Its six minarets and intricate blue-tiled interiors make it a must-visit attraction for history and architecture enthusiasts.

3. Topkapi Palace

Once the residence of Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace offers a glimpse into royal life. Don’t miss the Treasury, home to dazzling artifacts like the Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker’s Diamond.

4. Grand Bazaar (KapaliÇarşi)

One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar is a shopper’s paradise. Here, you’ll find everything from handmade carpets and jewelry to spices and souvenirs.

5. Bosphorus Cruise

Experience Istanbul from the water with a Bosphorus cruise. This journey offers stunning views of Istanbul’s skyline, palaces, and bridges, providing an entirely different perspective of the city.

6. Galata Tower

For panoramic views of Istanbul, climb to the top of the Galata Tower. This medieval stone tower offers a stunning vantage point for capturing unforgettable photos.

Insider Tips for Tourists

Transportation: Istanbul’s public transportation system, including trams, buses, and ferries, is efficient and affordable. Consider getting an Istanbulkart for hassle-free travel.

Best Time to Visit: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons to explore Istanbul, as the weather is pleasant and attractions are less crowded.

Local Cuisine: Don’t miss trying traditional Turkish dishes like kebabs, baklava, and Turkish tea. Street food options like simit and balik ekmek are also worth savoring.

Dress Code: While Istanbul is a modern city, modest attire is recommended when visiting mosques.

Book your flight and exciting Istanbul tour now at the best prices here

Final Thoughts

Istanbul is more than just a destination; it’s an experience that captivates the senses and enriches the soul. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or simply looking for a memorable adventure, Istanbul has something for everyone. Start planning your trip today and discover why Istanbul is one of the most visited cities in the world.

For more travel tips and guides, bookmark this page and share it with fellow travelers. Happy exploring!

[bosphorus-dinner-cruise-istanbul]

Istanbul: The Timeless City of Two Continents

Istanbul, the city where East meets West, is a unique blend of history, culture, and modernity. Straddling the Bosphorus Strait, which divides Europe and Asia, Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents. With its rich heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, Istanbul has been captivating travelers for centuries. This timeless city is more than a destination; it’s an experience that bridges the past and present in ways that leave an indelible mark on every visitor.

A Glimpse into History

Istanbul’s history spans over 2,500 years, and its layers of civilization make it one of the most historically significant cities in the world. Originally known as Byzantium, the city was founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century BCE. Later, it was renamed Constantinople in 330 CE when it became the capital of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine the Great. This marked the beginning of its transformation into one of the most powerful and influential cities in history.

As the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople was adorned with magnificent churches, palaces, and fortifications, many of which can still be seen today. In 1453, the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmed II, conquered the city, transforming it into the heart of the Islamic world and renaming it Istanbul. The Ottomans left an indelible mark on the city with their grand mosques, bazaars, and public spaces. In 1923, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul became part of the modern Republic of Turkey, and it remains the country’s cultural and economic hub.

Iconic Landmarks

Istanbul is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, each telling a story of its glorious past.

Hagia Sophia

Originally built as a Christian cathedral in 537 CE, Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It was later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman era and is now a mosque once again. With its massive dome, intricate mosaics, and stunning interior, Hagia Sophia is a must-visit site that showcases the city’s rich history.

Topkapi Palace

This sprawling palace served as the residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Visitors can explore its opulent courtyards, lavish chambers, and the Harem, which offers a glimpse into the private lives of the sultans. The palace also houses an impressive collection of treasures, including the famous Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker’s Diamond.

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

Famous for its six minarets and stunning blue tiles, the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the early 17th century, it remains a functioning mosque and an architectural marvel that attracts visitors from around the world.

Basilica Cistern

Hidden beneath the streets of Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground reservoir built during the Byzantine era. Its mysterious atmosphere, illuminated columns, and the famous Medusa heads make it a fascinating site to explore.

Grand Bazaar

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar is a vibrant maze of shops offering everything from jewelry and textiles to spices and souvenirs. It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Istanbul’s daily life.

The Bosphorus: A Natural Wonder

The Bosphorus Strait is not just a geographical feature; it’s the lifeblood of Istanbul. Separating Europe and Asia, the Bosphorus offers stunning views and is best experienced on a ferry ride. A cruise along the Bosphorus reveals breathtaking sights, including the Bosphorus Bridge, historic mansions (yalis), and charming waterfront neighborhoods.

The Bosphorus is also home to Ortakoy, a picturesque district known for its mosque, art galleries, and street markets. Another must-visit location is Rumeli Fortress, built by Sultan Mehmed II to prepare for the conquest of Constantinople.

Modern Istanbul

While Istanbul is steeped in history, it’s also a dynamic modern city. The skyline is dotted with contemporary architecture, such as the Camlica Tower and Sapphire Tower, reflecting its status as an economic powerhouse. The city is home to a thriving arts scene, trendy neighborhoods, and world-class dining.

Istiklal Street and Taksim Square

Taksim Square and the bustling Istiklal Street are the heart of modern Istanbul. Lined with shops, cafes, and historic tramways, this pedestrian-friendly area offers a lively atmosphere day and night.

Galata Tower

Located in the hip Karakoy district, Galata Tower offers panoramic views of Istanbul. The area around the tower is filled with boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries, making it a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike.

Kadikoy and Moda

On the Asian side, Kadikoy is a vibrant district known for its street markets, food scene, and cultural vibe. Nearby Moda is perfect for a relaxing stroll along the waterfront, with plenty of cafes to enjoy Turkish tea or coffee.

Culinary Delights

Istanbul is a paradise for food lovers, offering a mix of flavors influenced by its diverse history. From street food to fine dining, the city has something for everyone.

Turkish Breakfast: Start your day with a hearty Turkish breakfast featuring simit (sesame bread), olives, cheeses, honey, and fresh tomatoes.

Kebabs and Mezes: Indulge in a variety of kebabs and small plates (mezes) at a traditional Turkish restaurant.

Seafood: Visit the fish markets and enjoy fresh seafood by the Bosphorus.

Street Food: Don’t miss iconic street foods like simit, kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes), and balık ekmek (fish sandwiches).

Desserts: Savor sweet treats like baklava, lokum (Turkish delight), and kunefe.

Cultural Experiences

Istanbul’s rich culture offers countless experiences for visitors:

Hammams: Experience relaxation at a traditional Turkish bath, such as the famous Cagaloglu Hammam or Suleymaniye Hammam.

Whirling Dervishes: Witness a mesmerizing Sufi performance that combines spirituality and art.

Shopping: Explore the city’s markets, from the Grand Bazaar to the Spice Bazaar, to find unique souvenirs.

Festivals: Plan your visit around events like the Istanbul Film Festival, Istanbul Biennial, or the International Tulip Festival.

Transportation in Istanbul

Istanbul’s extensive public transport system makes it easy to navigate the city. Options include:

Metro and Trams: Efficient for exploring historical and modern areas.

Ferries: Cross the Bosphorus and enjoy stunning views.

Buses and Minibuses: Affordable ways to travel within the city.

Taxis and Rideshares: Convenient for getting to less accessible areas.

Conclusion

Istanbul is a city of contrasts and connections, where every corner reveals a new story. Its blend of ancient wonders, modern amenities, and vibrant culture makes it a destination like no other. Whether you’re exploring its historic landmarks, enjoying its culinary delights, or simply soaking in the views of the Bosphorus, Istanbul offers an unforgettable experience. It’s a city that transcends time and geography, inviting everyone to discover its magic.