We arrived back in Istanbul to meet Paris and Ford. We are staying at the Four Seasons hotel in Sultanahmet in the old city. This hotel was once a gaol now converted to a very beautiful hotel.
While we wait for the boys to arrive we visit several old haunts, the Jeweller, Iznik ceramic shop and the carpet dealer. We buy a new carpet for the boat and some beautiful new ceramics. We have lunch at a small corner cafe we visited four years ago. All of these places are still owned by the same families.
Janet is excited to see the boys. We take them on a tour of 'Hagia Sofia'. We moved onto the Bazaar but it is closed on Sunday's. On the way we encounter a street fight which we almost got entangled in. It was vicious, with men hitting each other with sticks and Kebab knives. One man was injured with blood dripping over his face, it was a bit frightening. The boys loved it and MB took many action snaps. That evening we went to church at St. Antonio in Istikalal Cad. There was once again many people in the street and several non violent political rallies happening, a great atmosphere.We take the boys for their first Turkish meal loved by all.
Monday, we have organized a guide who suggests we call him Jack. He called us 'my family' with MB as Sultan and JB Queen mother. He had been a pro soccer player now a tour guide. He could really talk, hardly drew breath. He was very knowledgeable explaining many aspects of Muslim religion as we visited the Blue Mosque. We then visited the underground cistern. We passed a restaurant 'The Pudding Shop' that Janet ate at in 1982. She went in and saw the owner she remembered. Jack took us to a very good carpet shop to explain how things were made the owner was disappointed when we declined to buy, as we had already bought three this trip.
Then, we moved onto Topkapi palace. This is always a good visit. Jack explains it in great detail. We visit the treasury, then the religious relic section which has amongst its collection 'Moses staff, and the foot imprint of Mohammad. We also visit the well displayed armory, everyone by now is hot tired and hungry. So, we find a good Turkish restaurant and after lunch we visit the bazaar. This is always exciting, we showed the boys how to bargain starting at half the asking price then walking away with the vendor chasing to close a deal. JB buys a nice necklace and the boys some Turkish hats. MB then takes the boys for a Turkish Bath and massage, at the very old Haman near the Bazaar,'Cemberlitas', it was built in 1584.
They were a bit apprehensive but ending up loving the experience. That night we eat at the 'Seven Hills' restaurant on top of a building near the hotel. This has excellent views of Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus.
Tuesday, we visit the spice market where the boys practice their bargaining skills buying bags, sweets and herbs. Then we move onto 'Istanbul Modern'. The major contemporary art museum in Istanbul. Their permanent collection includes very good local and international artists. We are glad to see a Mark Bradford painting included. There is also a a retrospective of Turkish artist ' Burhan Dogancay'. He is a world class artist taking his ideas from street posters and signs over fifty years.
Then we take off to Bodrum to join the Black Pearl for a sailing adventure.
JB and Mick