Istancredibul

We're wrapping up our third day in Istanbul and getting ready for a new continent tomorrow - Africa!! We've had a great stay in this huge and bustling metropolis, and I thought I would leave you with a few of our observations of this great city where east meets west.

1. We're not fond of overnight buses anymore.

Maybe it was a novelty the first time, but now it's just an uncomfortable way to achieve inadequate sleep.

Plus you arrive in a grumpy mood.

Which can be improved with an impromptu birthday cake of Turkish Delight. Blow out those imaginary candles!


2. We're tired of the usual Turkish food we've found.

But if you look hard enough, you can sometimes find something new and exciting - like raw meat mixed with chick peas!!

Or tasty chunks of liver on a skewer!!

Or grilled lamb intestines wrapped tightly in a coil and grilled to perfection.

3. The Blue Mosque looks better at night that during the day

Maybe because there's some idiot blocking the view.

See what I mean?

But the inside is exquisite no matter what time it is.

4. The Basicila Cistern is a creepy place

This underground cavern was built to store water for the old town. It's huge, eerily lit, and echoes with the sound of dripping water.


5. The prices go up the closer you get to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar.

As soon as those pesky tourists hear about it, then that's the end of the good deals at these 'traditional' markets.

But everything does look incredibly tasty. I wish we had room in the suitcase for all of the delicious spices, candies, nuts and olives.


6. Muslim graves are beautiful

Each tombstone is a work of art (which I admittedly cannot read), and there is a uniformity to the grounds which you often won't find in other old cemeteries.


7. Turkish carpets really are comfortable.

At least this guy thinks so.

8. One of the best and least expensive ways to tour Istanbul is by ferry.

We cruised the shoreline along the Bosphorus in a government ferry - a round trip journey that took in many sights.

Including the bridge which links Europe (left) to Asia (right).

9. Turkish Delight has a different meaning for Shirley

But it still causes drooling.

10. Less popular attractions sometimes turn out to be the best.

Our afternoon at the Istanbul Military Museum was a fantastic day for all of us, but especially Owen. A huge complex filled with great displays of armor, weapons and battle re-enactments.

Most unusual gun of the day. Good for those with poor aim.

This display filled an entire room and showed the storming of Istanbul in 1453 during the Byzantine-Ottoman wars. 

If you're naughty, boy, it's off to military school!!

Bonus - I want to be a Sultan and have my own Harem

Because this would be my bedroom

And if people annoy me I could make them eunuchs.

And I would have a palace full of favourite women who would be "instruments for the perpetuation of my dynasty"

I think we saw just about everything possible in our three day visit to Istanbul. One of the few big cities we've enjoyed on this trip. Tomorrow we board a flight to Johannesburg and begin our short adventure in Africa.