Ireland-2-Turkey 2024

I woke up at 6:30am to the sound of the call to prayer. I had a shower then went down stairs to get directions from reception to the nearest ATM.

Reception found an ATM in my Google maps app and sent me on my way. Cobble stone streets in Istanbul.

The ATM as near the mosque that l suspect was where the call to prayer came from.

If it wasn’t this mosque it might have been this one.

I noticed there are a lot of cats in Istanbul. Here’s one taking a nap.

I found the ATM without much trouble. Then made my way back to my accommodation.

I need to buy soap and through while I was there b l’d also buy a coke to see if it passes my coke test. It was close but not quite right. Maybe it wasn’t good enough.

I had a traditional Turkish breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast consists of a variety of cheeses, eggs, tomato, cucumber and cakes of some type.

I’m sitting in the reception waiting for my tour bus to arrive. I noticed the portrait of the founder if modern Turkey in the reception.

I also noticed the phone charging station.

I decided to do a tour to get a feel of Istanbul. I usually like to do this before venturing too far on my own. It’s just a safety rule l have.

That is why l also like to take a selfie with the driver whenever l get into a taxi. The person collecting me for the tour arrived. Then a short walk as he collected other people in the area.

Then onto a small bus for a ride down to the harbour. Off the bus and follow the person with the flag.

Then onto the boat.

They again provide breakfast which was much of the same as l had earlier. Then off onto the harbour.

It was a tad drizzly and cold for the first part. We passed a cruise ship docked in the harbour.

A photo of the Asian side of Istanbul.

Then we past a mosque near the shoreline.

Then we went past a 280 room palace.

I should have paid more attention but l’m certain the guide said the first president if Turkey passed away in the palace.

By then it was getting damn cold on deck. I found my way to control centre of the boat. I thought l better pop in to make sure they knew how to drive the boat.

I’m happy to report they seemed to know what they were doing. They had cameras watching all areas of the boat.

A photo of the shoreline … somewhere along the journey (the Asian side l think).

The Turks love their flag.

Again …

We eventually docked and made our way to the sultans palace.

Unfortunately, there was a rule prohibiting the taking of photos inside. Our guide made it very clear about the issue of taking photos being prohibited once you enter the actual palace.

But there is always one or two who whip out their camera and try and take photos. The security personnel, however, were right onto them!

l believe the guide said it was built sometime in the 19th century. It was pretty flash on the inside. Apparently, the sultan had 160 wives.

I love this loin near the entrance to the palace. There’s a lot of realism in the face.

There were two entrances to the sultan’s palace from the harbour. The entrance used by the sultan and his family had gold on top.

There was some explanation of the significance of the gold but l really wasn’t paying much attention. The other entrance is used by non family members.

Again, another photo from inside the ground of a building of sorts. But, l really wasn’t listening when the explanation was given.

Then we hopped on a bus for a short ride to a very large mosque located on the highest point on the Asian side of the harbour.

The mosque had six large spires and has a capacity for 63,000 people. As we arrived there was a call to prayers.

A photo focusing on one of Ted entrances to the courtyard.

The low blue topped area in the middle of the courtyard is a washing place where people cleanse themselves before going into the mosque.

The mosque was interesting to see with all the carvings and colours.

And some gold …

We were taken to a high point at the mosque which provided an excellent view of the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. A short panoramic video

The grounds of the mosque are kept immaculate. It’s also nice to know the smell of cut grass and a two stroke mower smell the same as in Australia.

Then it was back to the boat where they provide us with lunch (at 3pm mind you!). Our boat …

We started with a light salad.

Followed by soap (which l nearly finished before taking the photo).

Then the main meal which l had to have with a coke!

Then desert which was sickly sweet. But l still ate it!

Although the boat was moored, there was still some movement. This made lunch interesting … for me!

Then we set off on harbour to make our way back to where we started from. The Asian and European sides of Istanbul are connected by three span bridges.

A photo of another span bridge.

I believe our guide also said there were at least to tunnels. After arriving back we then hopped on a bus which took us on a short trip to where we caught a cable car.

I probably could have done without the cable car ride. But, it was okay but not as long as l thought it would be.

The most frustrating part about today is peak hour Istanbul traffic!

I did note the driver was listening to the radio. But, once the call to prayer came. He quickly switched off the radio.