Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - where Europe meets Asia

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15 Aug - centrally located hotel in the heart of old town Istanbul. We're here for 3 days and 2 whole nights - woohoo!!! First time since we've left that we haven't been in a different country each day. A chance to get some laundry done and take breath. We have an al fresco breakfast on top of the hotel roof. There are stunning views of the Istanbul skyline of Mosques, minarets, Turkish flags and the mighty Bosphorus river.

In the afternoon some of us go on the orientation walk round the city which covers a small, local mosque and bazaar. Start to get a feel for the Islamic world and the call to prayer rings out 5 times a day. We also wander through the Grand Bazaar, aka shopping heaven but window shop only. It's very hot and sticky with only the occasional breeze coming from the Bosphorus. Head down to the harbour for group dinner. Lots of fresh fish where the various catches of the day are brought out to you prior to cooking to chose your desired fish. I go for yummy mackerel.

16 Aug - a comprehensive and informative walking tour of Istanbul, the old capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. We visit various sites including Ayia Sofia (once the largest church in the world), Sultanhammet Mosque aka the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace where the Sultan lived. At 10am it's a whopping 43 degrees, you know it's bad when the local guide is sweating profusely and declares it the hottest day of the year, phew!!! So how on earth is a pale, Scot expected to cope?! Leisurely lunch with Ali of lamb kebab, tomato, yoghurt and coriander with chunks of bread, yum. Followed by the much loved local beverage of apple tea. It's so hot and tiring that our siesta ends up being 3 hours, oops, so much for finding an internet cafe and touching base back home.

Ali and I head out to watch the sunset....how romantic, lol. Amazing evening skyline with numerous minarets, towers, domes and the boats on the Bosphorus topped off by a full moon, which later that evening becomes a lunar eclipse, much to our surprise. We have a highly entertaining dinner down by the waterfront thanks to Jimmy, our maitre d' / waiter. More yummy, fresh fish - crab tail, calamari, sea bass, sea bream, fruit salad, baklava and two beers each - all for 45 lira...that's approx GBP 22 in total, what a bargain. We (reluctantly / sensibly?) decline Jimmy's invitation to join him to go dancing at his brother's birthday party...or was it his friend...or was there even a birthday party...we'll never know 😉

17 Aug - morning boat trip on the Bosphorus. I LOVE being on the water and this trip is one of the best in a long time. Very refreshing with great views of the European and Asian sides of Istanbul and yet more mosques, palaces, bridges and posh hotels. Ali and I have a light lunch on a 'quiet' side street. Well, the quiet was disturbed by two Turkish taxi drivers, not reknowned for their great driving skills, banging into each other. We walk round Ayia Sofia - this was once a Christian church and was then converted to a mosque so there is a fascinating combination of decor and frescoes. The building is HUGE. Had hoped to do some shopping in the Grand Bazaar on the way back to the hotel, but it's closed today. Instead we buy the best baklava you've ever tasted from Mr Delicious for the train journey. I also make a quick purchase of a lovely glass necklace of blues and reds, reminscent of the Evil Eye, which comes beautifully wrapped, a great souvenir to remember Istanbul.

We load the bags onto the bus but we catch the water bus across the Bosphorus to the station. Words cannot describe the sheer joy when we board our train. 1st class heaven - 2 people to a cabin, fridge, sink, clean toilets and restaurant car, now this IS the way to do train travel 😊

Head to restaurant car. Trans-Sib has taught me that this is always an experience and to expect the unexpected...and a limited menu. We have post-dinner entertainment from a freaky Iranian woman passenger who sings and clicks her fingers in a strange and disturbing way. Oor Sheila represents the Brits by singing 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' - aaaaah Fingers memories, Elton John, booze and weirdos. The mixture of Turkish wine, beer and aniseed flavoured spirit together with the luxurious cabin results in a great night's sleep.

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Comments

[Russell Darling (Dad)]

I LOVE being on the water
That must be inherited or else as a result of the many trips on a CalMac ferry to see Granny and Grandpa! Dad