We completed our Harvard reunion and returned to Istanbul for our next voyage on Black Pearl.
We had a few spare days so we had a few things we had not achieved previously.
In Sultanamet we saw our old friends at Iznik ceramics to acquire some more really beautiful pieces which they shipped home.We bought another small carpet for the boat and visited a jeweler we knew to try and get Janet an old coin necklace.We had lunch at a small corner family kebab cafe we went to in 2009, still great.
We then visited the art gallery district to see a new gallery run by Susan to whom Sima had introduced us.
We just had enough time to get to the 'Chora' museum which was once in the countryside of Istanbul. It is a church originally built in 536 AD. It was rebuilt several times and when the Ottoman's took control of the city they plastered over the ceramics and frescos.These have now been uncovered. It is stunning. An amazing example of Byzantine art and craftsmanship.
Next day we play golf at the 'Kemer Golf Club', a very forested area an hour from the city centre. This is a good quality course with narrow fairways, lots of trees and good greens. JB wins to go 1 up in the European Cup.
Back on BP we are off next morning.
JB and Mick.