Pete’s Adventures in Istanbul

Once the boats had been loaded on the Palmerton we had to make our own way to Marmaris, Turkey.  Fai Tira was transiting the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and then through the Suez Canal hoping to arrive on 8^th June.  I arranged to travel with David and Susan from Enchantress.  Our route taking us via an overnight coach to Muscat Airport, then a flight to Dubai where we had a 10 hour wait for our connection to Istanbul.  We arrived in Istanbul at 1am and had a transfer to our hotel, which was based in the old part of the city.  We had booked a junior suite which turned out to be two rooms and a shower room, with one room containing a settee (not quite what we thought but adequate).

The next morning saw us starting a three day culture tour of the city.  Here I am next to the city walls and their excellent tram system.

The first place we visited was the Basilica Cistern, this was just yards from our hotel and was built by Justinian in AD 532.   The cistern is 65 metres and 43 metres long and its roof is supported by 336 columns arranged in 12 rows.  We walked along one of the raised wooden platforms enjoying the magnificent ambience and coolness of the structure.

We then tried to get into the amazing Blue Mosque but the queques were too long so we went back later that evening and was amazed by the size and beauty.  Next saw us taking a trip along the Bosphorus river which links the Mediterranean with the Black Sea.

Along the Bosphorus we saw some amazing buildings including palaces, castles and private luxury residences.  This trip was one of the highlights of my stay in Istanbul.

The next day saw us visiting the Aya Sofya, this huge church which is now a museum dates back to AD 537 and reigned as the greatest church in Christendom until the Conquest in 1453 of Mehmet the Conqueror who converted it into a mosque.  This is one of the world’s great buildings.

Here is David at the weeping column, sticking his thumb in a worn copper facing pierced by a hole, legend has it that the pillar is that of St. Gregory the Miracle Worker and that one putting ones finger in the hole can lead to ailments being healed if the finger emerges moist.  He felt much better after this!

My final day saw us at the Topkapi Palace which is now a museum.  This huge palace supported a large harem, we visited this and wondered about the many amazing things that happened here.  Here I am waiting with baited breath.

That evening we met up with Alden and Gavin, Mark and Chrissy and Paul and Derry.  I ended up going for a drink at Gavin and Alden’s hostel’s rooftop bar until 2am in the morning.  Gavin led me astray yet again.

I left Istanbul completely cultured out on an overnight coach to Marmaris, here is my companion for the journey, who looked after me as no-one on the coach spoke English.  I arrived on Sunday to be greeted by my friends Rob and Jo Price, whose boat Stingray was moored in the marina.

That’s all for now.  Pete.