Sunday, September 21, 2014

Istanbul 18-21 September

It's another long drive but we finally pull into Istanbul, to a hotel close to bustling Istiklal Road, a great location. 
2 venture out in the pelting rain and quickly return, soaked. 4 opt for dinner at the hotel. And we grab brollies and return like drowned rats a couple of hours later. It's an amazingly vibrant road, lined with shops, cafés, buskers and lanes with more of all of the above - we love it!

Friday is our old Istanbul tour day, and there's lots to see. 
Hagia Sofya is an ex-Christian then Muslim church, and now a museum




Topkapi Palace used to house the sultan, and it's kitchens fed thousands, including those in the harem... It's also a museum, with objects from the era, up till now these treasures have been elsewhere, with many in London.



We were rushed through the Blue Mosque as it was nearly prayer time, our unclean shoes in plastic bags and heathen ladies' heads covered. 


All of course are gobsmackingly amazing, and photos do no justice at all. How did they design/build/maintain them all?

No comments:

Post a Comment