In front of the Blue Mosque
Since arriving from Thessaloniki on the Monday night train, we have been very busy, working hard at sightseeing etc, Friday we went ferrying up and down the Bosphorus, and climbed an ancient Byzantine (Genovese, they were allied against the Venetians) fortress. Saturday (today) we are rushing out to the Topkapi Palace. Why? because we are leaving on Monday for 3 weeks in the wilds of Anatolia, leavened by a few days on a gulet. This is our own homemade “Turkey encompassed” with a little help from our friends at Kirkit travel, a company run by a very nice friend of Kim Sanders.
A highlight will be climbing to Nemrut Dagi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nemrut
So far Turkey has been the most amazingly enjoyable experience, so different to Cairo. Perhaps we have best liked just wandering in Beyoglu, enjoying some music, and looking at all the young people enjoying themselves. Hardly a walking tent in sight. I really can’t describe standing inside Agya Sofia, maybe words will come later.
Very worthwhile driving right around old Istanbul on a red sightseeing bus, and seen the huge Theodossian Walls. We couldn’t find the way to climb the walls, there were also a lot of unfortunates hanging around. Also visited the beautiful Eyup Sultan Mosque – tomb of Mohammed’s standard-bearer. However, as the bones weren’t found until 700+ years after he died, it’s an open question whose bones are actually in the box. Totally serious Islamic spot,
The population of Istanbul is officially 18 m, but really 20-our whole Oz pop. in one city, like Cairo!!! It’s such a beautiful city, and unlike beautiful Sydney it sports MANY more stunning buildings!!!
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