Touring

Days 7 and 8 of cruising were in much anticipated Istanbul.

Day 7

Kel and I did a HIIT class on the ship which delayed our exit down the gangway into Istanbul. Before, but not during or after, this seemed like a good idea, however it meant a sweaty walk into the centre of Istanbul with our knees and shoulders covered, at lunch and during prayer time (when entrance is barred to all those who are not worshipping).

All dressed up with nowhere to go ;-(

Here follows the pictures of the outside of…

1. the Blue Mosque (more scaffolding!)

2. the Hagia Sophia (not the best angle)

Next stop some lunch – some Ottoman and Turkish fare with a couple of Efes to wash it down.

Then a hike back to the ship to get ready for our sunset cruise on the Bosphorous – which saved the day.

25,000+ steps – the older generation passed on coming with us on Day 8!

Day 8

With the lie of Istanbul better understood, the next morning we took the tram back to the Grand Bizaar (more trinkets), a Turkish coffee and down into the Basilica Cistern (best bit of engineering of tour and my favourite thing we did in Istanbul).

I love this beneficial reuse of Medusa’s head.

Best part of the cruise – the ice covered towel down before you get back on the ship.

Would I go back to Istanbul – absolutely, so much more to see (you need more than 2 days and don’t go to the mosques between 12.30 and 2pm)