This is where Agatha Cristie stayed during her travels on the Orient Express (London to Bagdath), which the hotel was built for its passengers to rest before further journeys to the East. She was inspired to write Poirot's "Murder On The Orient Express" here. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations and will not be in service until 2008. It would have been nice to have tea or a drink in its lounge. Pera Palace is located on the edge of Taksim in Istanbul, Turkey.
Fujichrome Velvia, Cross-processed, ISO 100, Holga