Friday 17^th June – Ataköy, Istanbul (Spice Market, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia)

40:58.262N 28:52.579E

Today we weren’t quite as early rising.  When I went down to the gate at the end of the pontoon I caught up with Zephyr who have just arrived further down the pontoon and were on their way into Istanbul for the day and then I met up with the chap from the Belgian boat that we have been bumping into since Bozcaada – small world.  On our way out we went to reception to sort out whether or not we need to amend our transit log if we want to travel further north (though the weather may put us off) and then finally headed off into town. 

When we arrived our first visit was to the Mosque across the road from the bus terminal, Eminönü New Mosque, a bright airy building.  We came out of there and found the entrance to the Spice Market right in front of us and went in.  This was more like it!  Décor a little shabby, a rich aroma from all the spices – wonderful.  I spotted a few things I wanted so we decided to drop by later on our way back to the bus stop.

We then took a tram to the ‘wrong stop’ again as yesterday we had found a Turkcell shop there with a young man who speaks good English.  We needed to register our non-Turkish dongle to ensure our internet access continues as this apparently hadn’t happened when we got the data card back in Ayvalik.  After sorting it out, which took quite a long time as they were very busy, we picked up a couple of pastries and went and sat and had lunch in the park on the way to the Blue Mosque.

After lunch we went to the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii); it was just opening, so good timing; entrance is free and they give everyone a plastic bag to put their shoes in.  The sun wasn’t shining so there wasn’t a lot of sunlight through the windows, which probably diminished the ‘blue’ effect of the tiling but it was still impressive to see, very large and grand but more under-stated than I had expected.

Next we moved on to the Museum of Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya Müzesi).  I’m pleased we left this one until last or I would have been incredibly disappointed with the others.  What a stunner!  If you have time for only one thing in Istanbul, this is the ‘must-see’.  It is a very impressive building and its history as both a church and a mosque sit so clearly side by side within it.

We walked back to the bus stop via the Spice Market where we bought some Turkish coffee, olives and halva.  We arrived back at Pyxis quite late after another busy day.

Eminönü New Mosque

Spice Market

Blue Mosque

Hagia Sofia

Hagia Sofia Mausoleums

Views from Eminönü

© Pyxis 2011