As you all know, Istanbul is my muse. There is nothing quite like the Hagia Sophia and bright blue skies, or the Golden Horn at sunset. Poignant, melancholy and oh so beautiful. There are few things more beautiful or moving in this world than a sunset on the Golden Horn.

I'll be back in Turkey sometime in the next few months, after transiting Iran (hopefully). But I will be in Turkey for sure, and Istanbul most of all.

On that note, last year I was invited to participate in the Istanbul Photo Contest. I declined, as I didn't feel any of the photos from my time there in 2007 were worthy. But, I'll be spending some time with the two gentlemen who run the contest while I am there. And I hope to enter some photos for the 2009 contest.

In any event, please give the site a look. The winning photo is an absolute stunner!

Of course, Istanbul is a world class city, probably my favorite so I am certainly biased.