ISTANBUL

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A quick visit to Istanbul...we stayed on the European side - Sultanahmet, as it had the Blue Mosque and Santa Sophia....apparently, all the best bars are on the Asian side, plus most of the affordable art, so that's for next time! The whole city, divided by the Bosphorus Strait, is much larger than I'd thought - and it's the only city that straddles two continents, so plenty more to see!
(NOTE: TO VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS, YOU HAVE TO CLICK ON THE FIRST ONE TO ENLARGE IT)

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Photos

Blue Mosque
Fabulous view from our hotel's roof terrace - I actually couldnt speak for a while!

Inside the Blue Mosque
'Blue' because of the mosaics which are everywhere...I had expected not to be able to take photos, but it was very informal inside the Mosque - kids running around, people sitting on the floor, chatting in small groups,very informal...

Musicians
There was a Tulip Festival when we were there, just down the street from our hotel - the streets were packed with families strolling around all weekend - great atmosphere!

Santa Sophia 2
Difficult to take pictures inside - huge lights everywhere. It was originally a church, built around 530. It was the largest cathedral in the world for almost 1,000 years. Then it bcame a mosque and is now a museum.

Santa Sophia
Its like a huge cavern - beautiful and partially restored

Santa Sophia
The guard is running to the door as it is closing time...he slammed it shut!