Turkey tour- Istanbul

So we are in Turkey, ready for our next tour... 3 days early. Following some talk with friends recently, I have realised that I am a little 'compulsive' about being early for things. I'm sure some might us other words, less complimentary.... ( I would be a nightmare tour leader... ) But 3 days is excessive even for me. So we are not here 3 days ahead of time just in case flights might be delayed, but to spend more time in a non-Schengen country.

Our flights from Paris went via Kiev, in the Ukraine. This trip is certainly adding to our knowledge of world geography. I remember booking these flights, and the different meal options on offer - to suit multicultural travellers. A huge range I'd not encountered before, and probably didnt understand. On the trip we saw meals being delivered individually first, and then the general distribution from the trolley. What did we have? Something unrecognisable, but included pasta.

Not sure what I expected from Istanbul, but it's an explosion of sights and sounds. The trip from the airport shows a massive city, and I'm sure that was only a small part. Huge roads, lots of traffic, multi-story modern buildings. Everything a modern city has. We are staying in the old city, which is a mixture of old and new. New modern, double-trams ( 2 long trams hooked together, usually packed), trundle noisily down morrow streets. As a pedestrian, you need to be extra careful, as the road blends into the even narrower footpath, especially on corners. Even the trams blast their horns to other road users.

Mosques and their minarets dominate the skyline, and the call to prayer rings out several times a day. 'Ring' is not really the best word to describe this guttural sound.

The Bosphorus is an amazingly active waterway. Massive cruise ships are in port at the moment, adding to the influx of tourists.

Fish restaurants occupy the lower level of the bridge on both ends, leaving the centre section open for shipping.

Just had to capture this sight. Shoe shine boxes never looked so glamorous. Definitely a different concept from the small wooden boxes boys carry around in Cusco. Probably a 'gold' price as well.

Visited the Mausoleums at Hagia Sophia. Beautiful ceramic work, and an interesting story about a mosaic which was sent to France for restoration, but only a copy returned. The copy has faded, whereas a similar original is in good condition. The copied original is in a Paris museum, apparently. :-(

We chose a hotel very close to the starting hotel for our tour, so this morning we have checked out, walked about 100m to the diagonal opposite corner of a small block, and checked in again. Nice. So, we are off to do some more exploring.

Visited the Blue Mosque today. Spectacular ceramic tiles work over ceilings and walls. I have much to learn and understand about this religion. Men and women pray separately in different areas. Shoes had to be taken off, women's hair and arms need to be covered. I bought a scarf, but others had to wear caftan style gown, and head scarf. Even men in shorts had to wrap along scarf around their legs.

And the Basilica Cistern - a huge, as in massive underground water storage system built in the sixth century. Impressive.

Tour group meeting tonight. We are a group of 12, Aussies, Kiwis and Canadians. Sounds familiar. Our tour leader is Turkish and seems very nice. Looks like we have a private mini-bus for transportation.

Turkey, we're gonna love it.

Posted with Blogsy