A Travellerspoint blog

ISTANBUL TURKEY

Europe meets Asia

90_9c199b40-5390-11e8-a284-29914683e1ce.jpgimg20180509_11593266.jpg270_img20180509_11564513.jpg90_img20180509_12031247.jpg CLICK ON PHOTO FOR INFORMATION ----- I last visited Istanbul in 2009,memories linger on.== I travelled from England by train across Europe, taking my time sightseeing on the way. Then ferry from Italy to Greece and ferry to Cesme Turkey. My map shows route out and return. ---Turks like Tea , so do i ,so felt at home. I stayed at Hotel Aydin, only 500m from the main attractions. The first thing the hotel recepetionist did was give me a glass of tea.---- Beware of fast traffic in Istanbul ,also shoeshiners tricks.-- In Spring and Summer it can get hot, so think about a hat and carry a bottle of water., also a small supply of toilet paper has public toilet dont always keep.--- There is a open top tour bus,i took this early in my stay to get to know the place. The local trams are a good way to move around.90_img20180509_11503860.jpg90_img20180509_11550703.jpg A marvelous sight is the first Bosphorus bridge built in 1973 by CBE of England, i took a ferry trip under it.------The Basilica Cistern is a underground cistern from Byzantium times.Carp are swimming around and there are 2 Medusa heads.--------In the Blue Mosque shoes must be removed, a carry bag is provided for your shoes, so i walked in my socks. The Blue Mosque is closed to tourists at times of prayer. I returned at dusk ,to see the Blue Mosque floodlit outside.-------Aya Sofya built as a church, now a mosque , interior marvellous as are all these Turkish buildings.------Topkapi Palace , home of the Sultans for centuries, is Istabuls top attraction, and the crowds prove it. There is a admission fee and extra fee for the Harem.-------Takism Square area is lively at night with bars and cafes,from Eminonu i crossed the low Galata bridge ,then took the funicular to Istikal Cad and walked to Takism Square. Also on this Asian side is the Galata Tower for a spectacular view. The Galata bridge is a double deck bridge with fishermen fishing over the side into the Bosphorus.------- The Grand Bazaar is at Kapah Carsi is indoors and has several "streets"----------------Caferaga Medressah now tourist shops used to be a religious school , is on the road from Aya Sofia to the rail station.---------I said i like tea,well there are plenty of mobile tea sellers calling Cay Cay Cay. ---I think Istabul is my faviourite place.-----------SINCE MY LAST VISIT, A UNDERGROUND RAILWAY HAS OPENED UNDER THE BOSPHORUS,LINKING THE ASIA SIDE TO EUROPE SIDE.

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