Four Continents 2012

Istanbul: 23-25 August, 2-4 September

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		View from our hotel's rooftop restaurant, looking over the Golden Horn. *
		Rather less attractive view towards Aya Sophia. †
		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. *
		The Galata Bridge across the Golden Horn, with a multitude of fish restaurants on its lower level. *
		We took a boat trip along the Bosphorus, passing the Dolmabahçe Palace ... †
		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. †
		The village had some attractive waterfront houses ... *
		and some that were less attractive. *
		The centre of the village is almost entirely composed of fish restaurants catering for the tourists who arrive by boat. *
		Some local residents passing the time. †
		The next day, we set out to see the Süleymaniye Mosque, passing the impressive University building. *
		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. *
		Eventually, we did reach the Süleymaniye Mosque. *
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		View over the Golden Horn from outside the Süleymaniye Mosque. †
		Then back to near Galata Bridge to see the Spice Bazaar. The goods on sale looked so nice that we took many photos. *
		A calligrapher preparing a name plate for our grandson. *
		An evening view of the Blue Mosque ... *
		and of the restaurants near our hotel. *
		The Bosphorus Bridge in lights, from our hotel's rooftop restaurant. *
		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. *
		The church is near the old walls of Istanbul. *
		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 ... *
		... with views out over the Bosphorus. *
		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. *
		Leaving Istanbul, we were able to use the Turkish Airlines Business lounge, which is by far the best appointed airport lounge we have encountered. *
		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.