Up the Galata Tower

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Geo: 41.0976, 28.6816

Another late check-out of a hotel. Got a note from Steve to say we are going to meet that night for dinner. Most of the group were still going to be in Istanbul for a few days- it was a staggered breaking up.

Met Jenny, Mike and Rachel in the lobby and we all walked to my next hotel a few blocks away. There was an issue and they told me to come back later on. So we went and got some greasy food and then did some sightseeing.

We walked across Galata bridge and saw some mosques on the way- partly covered in scaffolding! (What's new, seems to follow us around). The bridge stank of fish. There were lots of men fishing from the bridge. Lots of ferries leave from here, I assume they go to other parts of Istanbul and who knows where else! Our destination was the Galata Tower, which required us, as bad as we felt to walk uphill. We made it and luckily enough for us there was a lift to the top!! We didn't have to climb!! Yeah! From here we had a great view of the area and the local neighborhoods. The tower is 600ish years old. We could see the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace.

We then walked back to my hotel and agreed to meet later on with the others at McDonalds to find somewhere for dinner. The hotel that I had booked two months ago was full!! Eerrrr. They told they had no beds and that I could stay at one around the corner- bad management!! At least I didn't have far to walk. My room was great, another big bed that had a beautiful soft doona and pillows. I love staying in nice hotels!! How will I manage my next tour which is a camping tour????

Got ready for dinner and walked to McDonalds and met Mike, Steve, and Claire for dinner. We decided to go to the backpacker district for dinner in the hope of finding cheap meals and drinks. The area was busy and full of Aussies!! Which was nice after being the minority- here we were the majority!! On the way home I took some night time photos of the Blue Mosque at night and enjoyed my comfy bed and TV- that had english channels. After a month of hotel rooms, it became important that we had english channels. Had a great nights sleep...

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Photos

01 Traffic
Traffic below us as we walked over the pedestrian bridge.

02 Ferry
One of the many busy ferries at the port.

03 Tower
To get to the tower we had to cross this bridge.

04 Galata Tower
Close up of the tower.

05 Up the street
Looking back on our walk up the street.

06 Galata Tower
The tower.

07 Ferries
Many ferries in the sea.

08 View
From the top of the tower we could see the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace.

09 Bridge
A church and the bridge we walked over.

10 Ruins
Some old ruins.

11 Dusk
The Blue Mosque at dusk.

12 Dusk
The Topkapi Palace at dusk.