Istanbul is somewhere I'd always see on Holiday programmes and always want to visit. So I jumped at the chance to visit. Even better, I was able to meet Nurlan on his way back to Azerbaijan. Perfect excuse! I had no idea Turkey, was such a wonderful country as a whole. I had a fantastic time, being a genuine independent backpacker, meeting lovely people on route. Despite common belief, it's fine being a lone female traveller in Turkey. You do get a bit of hassle but most of it harmless, just need a sense of humour. Plus you meet so many people (mainly Australians who have been working in Britain!) on route anyway it doesn't matter. the Turks are really friendly and lots of fun once you get past the compulsory chat up lines. They are masters in flattery. i wasn't complaining!!

istanbul is fantastic, a bustling city full of culture and colour. You can't beat chilling out with a glass of turkish apple tea and a shisha pipe sitting on one of the many roof terraces in Sultanahmet (backpackers central) looking over to the Blue Mosque and The Aya Sofia on on side and the Bosphorous on the other. If you don't move from here all holiday (which i was very tempted to do!) it's already worth the air flight. The excitment of the bazaars, haggling over some gorgeous stuff shouldn't be missed though. Resist the carpets!! Carpets are everywhere you go in Turkey, you cannot escape them! Turkish carpet sellers are the most clever sellsmen in the world!