OK, thought I should make my first post, been here almost 2 days. Such an amazing place. Arriving at the airport at 7.30am yesterday, after a gruelling 24 hours of air flight – ok, it wasn’t THAT bad – but still. We decided to give public transport a go as the first bit a fun. Not really much different from Melbourne, you jump on a tram or 2, everyone looks at you strangely, no one talks to each other and it smells 🙂
Istanbul is absolutely full of people trying to sell you everything from children’s toys to cigarettes and weapons (apparently, I haven’t seen them yet). Pat and I checked into the hotel and wandered around to check out the city. Was interesting trying to buy a turkish coffee from people who don’t understand English at all. After about 15 minutes, we got one, not bad, and managed to not get ripped off – score 1.
We met up with out tour group, nice bunch of people (you know I have to say that, cos they might read this 🙂 ), maybe half an older crowd, and some around our age, 12 all up. Went on a walking tour around the place, checked out a couple of mosques – the detail the put into everything in the city is just crazy. From the shoes and hats, to the stained glass windows and entire structures. So much history, that I won’t bore you with (mainly because I don’t remember most of it). Wandered through the Grand Bazaar, and went to the place where Turkish Delight was first discoevered, and of course bought some.
Second day, we spent 5 hours in the Top Kapi palace. We also visted the harem, it is now my aim in life to become a sultan with a thousand wives, mainly for the giant bath. The palace is huge, all sorts of jewelled things from cup holders to weapons to the thrones, they’re all encrusted with ridiclous amounts of emeralds, rubies, diamonds and pearls.
We also visited the underground cistern, which has stone heads of medusa, very cool. Anyways, for the most important part – here’s some photos.
singapore airport / patrick the tourist / the grand bazaar / stained glass window in the harem / the cistern / the blue mosque