Evening prayer call
echoes around the meydan,
under full moon's light.
After a night that seemed to contain at least 24 hours, including two very interesting border crossings, we arrived at last in Istanbul last Friday morning. By bus. Yes, we cheated. We only cycled to the Black Sea. From Dublin. And frankly, considering the state of the Bulgarian roads, we're quite glad we caught the bus.
Leaving the bus station at first light we cycled along the shore of the Sea of Marmara until it became the Bosphorus, skirting the oldest parts of Istanbul until we rounded into the Golden Horn and located our pension - right by the old citadel wall. Expecting a navigational nightmare, we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.
After a bit of rest and recovery (from both the bus trip and our cycle journey), we set out to explore the city. So the last few days have been filled with walking, eating, exploring, drinking tea, drinking coffee, eating, people watching, talking, bargaining and even relaxing. We've not enjoyed the feel of a city so much since Amsterdam or Paris.
The weather has been delightful - blue skies and mid to high twenties every day, the nights balmy. We've even had a full moon. We are staying in the tiny shabby chic Sur Pansiyon, a short walk from everything and if we are here mid-afternoon, our hostess brings up a tray with tea or coffee to our room. Then runs off as quick as she can so we don't try to speak English to her, though we get huge smiles when we try one of our three words of Turkish.
Comic ice-cream vendors, friendly cats, loquacious carpet sellers, smooth Turkish delight, crunchy baklava, spicy meze, interesting old buildings, coffee you can stand a spoon in and the simple fact that ducking out for a kebab can constitute fine dining. We won't forget Istanbul in a hurry. It's been a fine end to our journey.
I'll not badger you with any more details but here's a few photos:
Tomorrow we pack up the bikes and the next day, fly out to Brisbane for the next part of our adventure - living in the real world.
*
words - Gabby, photos - Neil and Gabby
echoes around the meydan,
under full moon's light.
After a night that seemed to contain at least 24 hours, including two very interesting border crossings, we arrived at last in Istanbul last Friday morning. By bus. Yes, we cheated. We only cycled to the Black Sea. From Dublin. And frankly, considering the state of the Bulgarian roads, we're quite glad we caught the bus.
Leaving the bus station at first light we cycled along the shore of the Sea of Marmara until it became the Bosphorus, skirting the oldest parts of Istanbul until we rounded into the Golden Horn and located our pension - right by the old citadel wall. Expecting a navigational nightmare, we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.
 | |
| Our first view of the Blue Mosque. |
 | |
| Looking over to the Asian side, along the Sea of Marmara. |
After a bit of rest and recovery (from both the bus trip and our cycle journey), we set out to explore the city. So the last few days have been filled with walking, eating, exploring, drinking tea, drinking coffee, eating, people watching, talking, bargaining and even relaxing. We've not enjoyed the feel of a city so much since Amsterdam or Paris.
The weather has been delightful - blue skies and mid to high twenties every day, the nights balmy. We've even had a full moon. We are staying in the tiny shabby chic Sur Pansiyon, a short walk from everything and if we are here mid-afternoon, our hostess brings up a tray with tea or coffee to our room. Then runs off as quick as she can so we don't try to speak English to her, though we get huge smiles when we try one of our three words of Turkish.
Comic ice-cream vendors, friendly cats, loquacious carpet sellers, smooth Turkish delight, crunchy baklava, spicy meze, interesting old buildings, coffee you can stand a spoon in and the simple fact that ducking out for a kebab can constitute fine dining. We won't forget Istanbul in a hurry. It's been a fine end to our journey.
I'll not badger you with any more details but here's a few photos:
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| Inside the Topkapi palace. |
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| Outside the audience chamber, Topkapi palace. |
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| Topkapi palace. |
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| Blue Mosque from inside the courtyard. |
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| Courtyard detail, Blue Mosque. |
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| Colonnade roof, Blue Mosque. |
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| Inside the Blue Mosque, beautiful decoration. |
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| Gawking like a yokel, inside the Blue Mosque. |
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| Sultanahmet - the Blue Mosque. It's just so photogenic ! |
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| Galata tower, over the Golden Horn. |
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| Basilica cistern, built in the 4th century. |
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| Typical Roman brick vaulting, Basilica cistern. |
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| Inside the Hagia Sophia, showing the mish mash of Islamic and Christian decoration. |
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| One of the stunning mosaics, Hagia Sophia. |
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| Hagia Sophia mosaic. |
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| Cat inspecting carpets in the Grand Bazaar. |
Tomorrow we pack up the bikes and the next day, fly out to Brisbane for the next part of our adventure - living in the real world.
*
words - Gabby, photos - Neil and Gabby
I was just comparing some of your photo's with our Istanbul photo's, it truly is an amazing place.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you, only a few more days to go. I know it's going to be a big change for you both at journeys end, but you will have so so much to look back on as you have partaken of incredible travels.
Enjoy your last days in Istanbul.
Lishaxx
I'll miss your wonderful blog/slog! We've enjoyed following your travels immensely. I don't envy your task in settling back into reality as most of us know it. How fortunate you are to have such an experience under your belt.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your last little bit and hope your flight home sees you not too uncomfortable.
J & Des x
Did someone say Tanami Desert ?
ReplyDelete