ISTANBUL DAY 161- 167 22-28 -5-23

Rode up to Istanbul  from Pendik qwhich is only 40 km or so and got a room near Taksim Square at a hostel in a good location. The following day went to get it service and new tyres and took it for a Turkish Bath and now it looks new again after the guy gave it a detailed cleaning. 

 Justin is still in hospital, three weeks now, they operated again last Monday and put in two drains, his count dropped by three, was 7 and now is 4 which is encouraging and tomorrow  will have more tests and let's hope it has dropped again.

Checked into the apartment we rented for seven days and then went to the airport the next day at 4:30am to fetch Charmain. 

Have been touring the city which I have enjoyed, it has a nice vibe with it's narrow cobbled streets, stray cats and dogs everywhere but are all well looked after. 

With the biggest city in Europe split between Asia and Europe makes it quite a unique place and there is lots to see and do with thousands of restaurant's and Mosques.

    TAKSIM SQUARE TRAM

    BOSPHOROUS BRIDGE CONNECTING.            EUROPE TO ASIA.

    MOSQUE AT TAKSIM SQUARE 

    BACLAVA

    SHIRWARMA, AM SO SICK OF EATING            CHICKEN SHIRWARMA

    SIDEWALK CAFE'S SPRING UP                          EVERYWHERE AT NIGHT 

    THE BLUE MOSQUE 

    BY GALATA BRIDGE 

    GALATA BRIDGE 

    SPICE MARKET

    Hagia Sophia Mosque built in 537AD.Was a church, then converted into a Mosque in 1453 and then into a museum in 1935 and just recently President Erdogan changed it back into a mosque.

    PRAYERS AT THE BLUE MOSQUE ON            FRIDAY. BUILT IN 1609- 1620.

    The Basilica Cistern, constructed in the 6th century AD.

    Mythological character Medusa.

    Galata Tower constructed in 1348 for defence purposes and was a dungeon for Slaves working in the boatyard.

    Mosque on the BOSPHOROUS.