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View from our hotel's rooftop restaurant, looking over the Golden Horn. * |
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Rather less attractive view towards Aya Sophia. † |
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On our first morning in Istanbul, we wandered down to the waterfront. This is the view across the Golden Horn, with a ferry approaching and the Galata Tower in the background. * |
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The Galata Bridge across the Golden Horn, with a multitude of fish restaurants on its lower level. * |
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We took a boat trip along the Bosphorus, passing the Dolmabahçe Palace ... † |
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and under the Bosphorus Bridge, with its nearby old fortifications. * |
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Our destination was the village of Anadolu Kavagi, guarded by another old hilltop fortress. † |
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The village had some attractive waterfront houses ... * |
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and some that were less attractive. * |
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The centre of the village is almost entirely composed of fish restaurants catering for the tourists who arrive by boat. * |
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Some local residents passing the time. † |
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The next day, we set out to see the Süleymaniye Mosque, passing the impressive University building. * |
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Nick made a mistake in navigation, so we ended up at the Sehzade Mehmet Mosque. It was not where we intended to be, but it was very beautiful. † |
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Nearby was the Aqueduct of Valens, which used to be the water supply for Istanbul. * |
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Eventually, we did reach the Süleymaniye Mosque. * |
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View over the Golden Horn from outside the Süleymaniye Mosque. † |
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Then back to near Galata Bridge to see the Spice Bazaar. The goods on sale looked so nice that we took many photos. * |
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A calligrapher preparing a name plate for our grandson. * |
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An evening view of the Blue Mosque ... * |
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and of the restaurants near our hotel. * |
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The Bosphorus Bridge in lights, from our hotel's rooftop restaurant. * |
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Street scenes around Sultanahmet. * |
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During our second stay in Istanbul, we set off on a quite long journey by two trams to the Chora church. * |
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The church is near the old walls of Istanbul. * |
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It is noted for its mosaics and other decoration. * |
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That evening, we dined at Topaz, an excellent restaurant in the Galata area ... * |
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... with views out over the Bosphorus. * |
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Our last day in Istanbul, we revisited Aya Sophia: built as a church in 537, converted to a mosque in 1453, and classified as a museum in 1935. * |
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In places, there are some structural problems. * |
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Leaving Istanbul, we were able to use the Turkish Airlines Business lounge, which is by far the best appointed airport lounge we have encountered. * |
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This is the ladies' rest room. * |
Between our two stays in Istanbul, we took a 7-night tour of some other parts of Turkey, starting with Cappadocia.