Archives for 2012

So here we are on our last day in Istanbul. It's only been a week, but feels much longer. We had a quick trip up the funicular to Istiklal Cadesi where I went in search of a funky clothes designer in one of the buildings recommended by Lonely Planet, Midnight Express. Great building and staircase but she was no longer there. So we moved on. Past … [Read more...] about Istanbul – fond farewell

Day seven in Istanbul we decided to check it out. Seeing the Black Sea has long been an ambition of Joe's since Neil Ascherson's history of the area. So it was his second must do on this trip, after seeing the Hagia Sofia. Murphy's Law ensured it was the wettest day we've had here. We've only had one other and it was when we went to the Hagia - … [Read more...] about Istanbul – is the Black sea black?

On our sixth day in Istanbul we visited two Byzantium churches. One as tourists, the other as visitors. Had to go West to reach the Chora, outside the old city's first wall. Quite an adventure getting to their. We were all set to take the ferry to Ayvansaray as recommended by Lonely Planet only to find the service no longer running. May be … [Read more...] about Istanbul – Byzantium charms

Day five in Istanbul and time for the big tourist hit - the Topkapi Palace. Prime real estate on the point of the Golden Horn. Home of the Sultans for over four hundred years from late fifteenth century until 1856 when they updated to a more European style palace on the banks of the Bosphorus. A compound of dozens of buildings you enter through … [Read more...] about Istanbul – ancient palace, modern prince

Woke on our fourth day to thunder and lightning. Thor at work in the heavens above Istanbul. Quite dramatic. Appropriate day to visit places devoted the the glory of the gods. Started at the Hagia Sofia. Impressive from the outside. Spectacular within. Hard to absorb the fact that it has stood in this place for over 1600 years - … [Read more...] about Istanbul – Holy Places

On our third day in Istanbul after visiting the Grand Bazaar we made our way slowly down to the Galata Bridge. Past the university. Through little street markets selling everyday goods to the locals. The awnings were pretty and the Turkish flag on display everywhere. The young man in the blue shirt said nice to meet you in a friendly way as he … [Read more...] about Istanbul – spices, a bridge and lost innocence