Another cold start to the day here in Istanbul. Our last full day here as we'll be heading to Dubai tomorrow evening. We hope to return here sometime in the future as it has been one of the most intereting places we've ever visited. The people here have also been very interesting. They are friendly and inquisitive. We havent really been asked what we're doing in other places but here people have asked and that has been a plus. There's a very mixed makeup of peoples here and Grant has educated me as to why this is. Istanbul has been through some major upheavals during it's history. The Romans made this the capital of their Eastern Empire followig the collapse of Rome, then this became the Byzantine Empire, then the Ottomans took over, then the Venetian Crusaders had a pop and the place was ransacked. This leads us to Mehmet the Second who with intelligent foresight created a sort of free trade port and invited peoples of all faiths to trade and to rebuild the city. Promises were made that an end to the chaos of wars would prevail. Of coure there was more to come but essentially you see why secularism and tolerance took hold. And it's still very much in eveidence to this day. Hence why there's all sorts here.

We head down to the very busy port and buy a ticket for the Bosphorus Sea tour - I kick mself as I pay too much...it's a matter of pounds but annoys me a lot. cant stand that when it happens. Still no point crying over spilt milk. I stiffen my resolve not to let this happen again. (Like that's not going to happen again!). The cruise lasted about 2.5 hours and you got an idea of the true size of this city. Basically it's huge as it covers all coast lines on the Europe & Asia sides. Once again the buildings are fantastic, with a different style every 5 minutes or so. Also huge bridges span the Bosphorus and again these are mighty pieces of engineering. On the way back as we pass Maident Tower - which is an ancient light house - we see dolphins break the water, about 10 of them. It's a nice sight and reminds us of Newquay Bay back in Wales for a short while.

Sunday appears to be a rest day for lots of people and many gather by the ports to fish and generally have a get together. More tourists arrive around the Blue Mosque and it gets busy again. We need a rest after once again walking for miles and miles. Tomorrow we leave.