We landed in Istanbul three hours late....it was crazy landing as many of the passengers stood up as were taxing to the gate. In any case we got through customs (who knew Aussies needed a visa oh well). The taxi from the airport was madness...the driver went about 130 kph and went inside the beak down lane of many occasions. We made it into Galata around 10 pm so just went up to the apartment and the kids went to bed. The wallabies were playing England in the World Cup so I "watched" that on the computer before going to bed. The next day (Sunday) was a slow start then an amazing breakfast at Cafe Privato in a nearby street. It was a typical Turkish breakfast - with amazing cheeses, honey, bread, pancakes like latkes and Turkish coffee (so thick it wobbles). We stuffed ourselves (kids had amazing pomegranate juice - a seasonal speciality) and got ourselves acclimatised to Istanbul. We walked up from the Galata Tower to Taksim Square. Istanbul is an amazing mix of western sophistication and crazy third world (lots of stray cats and dogs). We walked up to Taksim subway stop and caught the subway across the water to venicler station and then walked over to Sultanhamet area. We walked around the Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia and the crazy crowds (especially when the cruise ships are in). The kids were flagging so we made for a kepap shop for lunch and then walked over the Galata tower (lots of fisherman on the Galata tower!) and then walked up the hill back to the apartment for a rest. That evening we put on our glad rags and went to the Georges Hotel for a pre- dinner drink. The hotel is a very boutique place with a lovely terrace on the top floor. We had our drink, watched the sunset as we looked over to the Asian side of Istanbul. We weren't having much luck booking a restaurant due to the kids so we settled on another Kebap restaurant in a nearby neighbourhood. Galata is hilly and the distances longer due to the hills - we made it to the restaurant and had a lovely meal (beautiful mint and pomegranate salad) and dessert. It had been a long day so we caught a taxi back to the apartment and went to bed. The next day (Monday) was the day of our tour so we were up early and caught a taxi to Sultanhamet. We met out tour guide (ennui's) and began our tour. First stop was the Blue Mosque - it was amazing to learn that the Blue Mosque is a copy of the Aya Sophia but there is over 1,000 years between construction. The blue mosque is an awe inspiring place - very tranquil and calm. We then walked around the Grand Bazaar (will be back tomorrow for more shopping), the suleiman mosque, the spice bazaar and the Pascha Mosque (much smaller but beautiful blue tiles) In between we has after room tea and some cheese pastries at a quiet shisha place. It was fun to have a smoke on the water pipe (just like in Egypt) - delicious rose and mint tobacco. We had a delicious authentic Kebap lunch and then walked around some of the side streets. Euniss was a very good guide and very informative of the old Turkey and the current political situation with President Edrogan. We finished our tour by buying some amazing Turkish Delight. We caught the tram back over the Galata beidge and then walked up the hill back to the apartment for a rest. Later that evening we went to an amazing towel shop and bought the store - it was very cheap and excellent quality. We also bought a lovely glass bead chain for the "new" house. We walked back up the main road toward Taksim and found a great restaurant called Simdi. I had some delicious dolmades and some wine and we then walked to find some baklava....the road was buzzing now and it was fun to walk around. We found some baklava (just a sample was enough) and then the kids had some ice cream from a great ice cream seller (see the photos) while we walked back to the apartment for bed. The next day was our last of the trip so we were up at a normal hour then caught a taxi to the Aya Sophia. The Aya Sophia is an amazing building. Built in the 6th century it was originally a church and then converted to a mosque (and the minarets added). Whilst the Blue Mosque is based upon it - the size of the building is similar to St Peters (a bit smaller) but it is very beautiful - the lights drop down like in the mosque but you can see the the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. It's amazing to think that this building was constructed in a period so long before anything else (the Pantheon the only correlation). We walked around the Aya Sophia and then walked back toward the Grand Bazaar. On the way the kids were hungry so we stopped for a cay (tea) and juices. On to the Grand Bazaar. It's an amazing place - bustling, but less so than the one in Cairo. They weren't in the mood to haggle. Nonetheless Leigh bought a beautiful sapphire necklace and Eleanor bought a beautiful necklace of sapphire and diamonds. Leigh also got some other presents. It was time to go back to the apartment to paxk up for good so we caught the tram back back over the Galata tower for the last time. The taxi picked us up on time then we were on our way to the airport. Attaturk airport was straightforward and we were able to get into the lounge for a few drinks before we took off to Abu Dhabi. The plane was running a little late so hopefully we would make our connection. We had no problems and Leigh and Eleanor got upgrades again so before we knew it we were landing back in Sydney after another amazing family holiday!