24th September 2018

Merhaba (mer-ha-ba) Hello

What an amazing day we have had- thus far. The bed well it's wonderful- I wonder if it will fit in our luggage - Unfortunately NO!

I woke at my usual 'dark outside O'clock' and peeped out the curtain to see Istanbul in the early hours-My camera- well not my camera- me! didn't work well taking photos with the flash on. I need to spend more time learning how to use my camera, and also get a zoom lens (one day).

The hustle and bustle of life in this amazing city starts early in the morning- if it actually goes to bed at all. We headed down to have breakfast, here in the hotel, and I have to say we have NEVER had so much service and attention in our lives- Peter had a pillow fluffed for him, empty plates were whizzed away the moment the last fork full went into your mouth, and offers of tea and coffee didn't stop. Beryl you are right- these people are so friendly- nearly as friendly as us kiwi's lol.

We eat enough to see us through until a pit stop mid-afternoon for a snack- well that was the plan anyway. Starting off with refreshing Watermelon- Rolling out of the hotel and bumperling down the road with our whit's about us as the footpaths are questionable, and the drivers even more so- don't forget they are coming at us from the wrong side of the road again.

It's a straight walk from the hotel down to the ocean. I have to say both Peter and I have salt in our veins and feel a little lost if we don't get our dose of seawater - today was just amazing we got more than our dose today for sure. We spent £3 each on an amazing hop on hop off Bosphorus tour. We went up the Sea of Marmara from our pick up spot- Besiktas, and the photos really don't do justice to what we saw with our eyeballs. Some of the main attractions and stops are listed below. For the sake of time, I will list them and hopefully get back to write more about each one later- or get Peter with his amazing mind for history and geography to update.

· Beylerbeyi Palace

· 15th July Martyrs bridge

· Ortakoy Mosque

· Rumeli Castle

· Beylerbeyl

· Kucuksu pavilion

· Emirgan Grove

· Faith Sultan Mahmet Bridge

· Yoros Castle

· Anadolu Kavagi

· Yayuz Sultan Selim Bridge

The ferries ran like clockwork, arriving every hour, and the tour took 1.45hrs- yes that's right for £3 each. 'Stepping on Both Asian and European Continents, you will perfectly experience all natural beauties of Bosphorus during the same tour.'

Public toilet's cost approx. 20p- so if you come make sure you have change. Speaking of toilet's I thought about Crocodile Dundee today,…… I had to stop and think for a (very short moment) to work out why there was a nozzle at the top of the bowl pointing inwards- As soon as it dawned on me, I started to think how one makes it work lol

Well I walked out feeling very refreshed after seeing a tap lower to the floor, only thing is ….if this is in preference to using toilet paper….. then how does one dry the bottom after a spray wash? Some toilets have the nozzle lower and that makes more sense to me- but giggles were had.

We had a bit to eat, which ended up being a lovely shared platter of seafood- I have to say the mussel's were the best I have had in years, but not keen on the rubber bands that were meant to be calamari- so much for just having a snack.

We decided the day was a good day to stay on the water, given the weather isn't looking good for a few of the days while we are here- so let's take another ferry trip (the museums we wanted to visit were all closed on Mondays). We spoke to a friendly man while waiting for one ferry and he explained that you can get the equivalent of an Oyster card and your trips and cheaper- but really for us, it's so cheap already. Another £3 each for a return trip which took 20 min each way- so off we go……… this time to Kadikoy. When we arrived in Asia (it sounds funny doesn't it? Asia why sea) I mentioned to Peter I wanted postcards for the grandbabies, walked along a wee way Bingo- Postcards. Then said we need a post office to get stamps, and the friendly lady we got the postcards from said it was just around the corner- Bingo not even 20 feet away.

We had a walk around, and people everywhere (eating, drinking, smoking (my face is not liking all the cigarette smoke) and generally having a great time. An amazing atmosphere, but a few too many people in some very narrow streets for me. Fish Markets, Fruit and veg stands, yummy treats galore…. Oh and the delicious smells of cooking food. There are beautiful colours everywhere- mainly what people are wearing.

We decided we had taken in enough for these brains, and it's hot and hazy - heading back to the hotel for a swim in the pool and a cool drink. It only cost approx. = of £2 for the taxi ride back to the hotel. Everyone is beeping but it's not aggressive (well I don't think it is).

The water was lovely, and my body rebuked me for not having it in a pool sooner. Then into the spa and we got bounced around with all the strong bubbles- ok fingers and toes wrinkly it's time to get out. All women had to wear swimming caps, and it just so happens they sold everything one would need there.

Cats and dogs everywhere, but I have to say the streets are very clean. Every now and again you get a whiff of sewage, but all in all this is a very clean place. We have heard the 'Call to Prayer' a couple of times, and have seen the loudspeakers at the top of all the minaret- they don't climb up anymore.

We went out for a walk and a snack, and yes found a lovely place where I had a spicy chicken and Peter had lamb chops- no alcohol served in this restaurant- but guess what? we have seen a few pubs (so they do have some here). We both enjoyed the lovely juice we had with our meal- our dinners cost = £13 for us both- OH MY GIDDY AUNT! We rolled out of there and were grateful for the walk about to the hotel. The only thing I have room for now is a glass of water with my tablets before bed lol.