I was up early this morning, naturally but I think it was also in my head to get up and beat the mountains of crowds to go inside The Hagia Sophia, upstairs for a good seat at breakfast with the view of the bay and other side of Istanbul before heading out for a long walk. The Hagia Sophia was empty - perfect! It was spectacular in there, interesting to see what it would be like as they never took the murals off the wall from it being a church just plastered over them when it was a mosque then it became a museum so they too the plaster off and now it’s a mosque again so they just put curtains up when it it prey time.

After that I strolled through the litter infested gardens from the crowds yesterday and felt sorry for the guys cleaning it all up. Strolled down to the bridge where they were all fishing, loads of them! It looked like they were only catching mini fish and how their lines didn’t get broke with the boats coming through I don’t know?

I strolled in and out of the streets until I randomly came across a connecting network of lovely little cobbled streets lined with quirky restaurants, bars and cafes. I stopped at one with teddy bears sat on some of the chairs which made it quite unique to the others I suppose it attracted customers. Very pleasant around that area of Bosphorus area.

After a tea break I walked back along the sea wall and in and out of the cobbled streets my side of the river before resting my feet back at the room, 23,000 steps and I was tired!

Last night in Turkey tonight so a quiet bite to eat and a few drinks, and in the tradition of people giving me free things whilst I was paying they brought the bill with Raki. Not just a normal sized shot glass, but more like 3 or 4 shot glasses worth bloody great. I couldn’t leave it I needed to show some respect or willing. It was as expected disgusting tastes like liquorice but so flipping strong!!

As I was minding my own business reading my book the weirdo walked passed from the night before last with his book, the guy chewing his gums off about princess Diana and George best. Until the guys from the restaurant hushed him away and then asked me why and how I know him - he’s the town loonatic by the seems of it. Of course I bump into him - twice! Now the town clown knows me… then he tried doing a loop snd coming back down the other side of the street that was about 5m wide, they hushed him away again. They just didn’t want him anywhere near the places.

Anyways, back to bed in an attempt of an early one as I have a 03:30AM wake up call for the flight to Athens in the morning!

Peace out Turkey it’s been a pleasure!