Halki Palace Istanbul

Day 2 Today our guide took us on a cruise of the Bosphorus abroard a steamer ferry that would make stops along the way on both the European and Asian sides of the city of Istanbul. Let me interject a bit of information here that would be helpful to those traveling to this part of the world and haven't been there before. The steamer ferry, as well as some restroom facilities are different that those I was used to. If you are used to a porcelin toilet, you may be ...

... and they're just great! I even found an amazing little vintage store tucked away where I bargained for a pair of Roman-style leather sandals. An absolute steal!   That night, I fought off the jetlag and got gussied up for a night on the town. Not knowing anyone, I approached the first friendly-looking strangers that I saw, and asked them where to go on a Saturday night in Istanbul. They insisted that I go with them, and took me to a local wine bar and ...

... time - and a dinner at an unremarkable restaurant (oh - they allowed smoking - that was remarkable - in a bad way!). Nothing vegetarian again - so I had more cheese pizza. I'll be happy to vary my diet at bit. We leave for Izmir in the morning. We got our laundry done yesterday, so we are set for clean clothes for another week. Our bags are mostly packed and everyone has already fallen asleep. I guess I had best get this posted.

... up with 'carry on' requirements, and 'let's go play trains'. Toot-toot. Passing suited men sit next to me on the garden-style bench. They are drinking beer at 7am, 8am. The beer shop is open. It is easier to buy beer in Russia than it is to buy water. Russia would be the life and death of Brits, Aussies and Saffers. Beer drinking in the street is allowed, it is tradition. Stall after stall near train and subway stations and bus stops offer a window full of beer varieties. Twenty ...

... a huge mini-golf course on Islamic Acid. The lunch we had was great fun. It was Turkish pizza. I ordered a ground beef pizza (they didn't have veggie). First they bring you wonderful Pita bread with butter, goat cheese and a terrific red tomato, red pepper sauce. Then they bring you a Turkish salad- tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage (not mixed). Finally they bring the pizza. Not one- but two 10 inch pizza. The dough ...

... had arrived at another ferry landing too late. On my walk instead I was subjected to an attempted mugging, and subsequently spent three nights in an Istanbul hospital with a couple of cracked ribs). But from Yenikapi ferry landing I had to walk a short distance to a suburban rail line. I had no idea if that line was running that late, and when I got to the station there weren't many people. And they could have been waiting for a train in the other direction.

Calls to G., who ...

... The tourist information man recommended it too. We had to get on the tram, then the subway to get there (30mins journey in all). When we got there it was like the M25!!! we thought it would be a small quaint Turkish village!!!!! there were two cabaret nightclubs - one was called "The Crazy Horses Show" and the photos on the billboard outside showed belly dancing girls dressed up as feathery horses cavorting on the tables as diners ate!!! nice. We decided to give Crazy Horses a ...

... out of sight of said traders. Clearly the merchants saw the pair of us as easier meat and we did go into a couple of shops. Rob tried on about 70 leather jackets/coats while Gina looked on disdainfully and about 5 muscular assistants kept bringing us more jackets. We just escaped from this shop without buying a jacket and were walking past the next when the owner said "come on in it's my turn now". We got round the corner and nearly ****** ourselves giggling ...

... a really yummie restaurant where Ian is starting to get used to the Turkish food and Danie keeps on insisting that it's all arabic food. We head up to a square where there are quite a few people sitting and just people watching. So we sit with them thinking that we must be missing out and after about 5 minutes, we stand up and go back to the hotel all sleepy.... ;-) Way to mingle with the locals.

... linn* pildist*m* j* hiljem õhtusööki m*nust*m*. Restor*n oli väg* õdus j* p*r*sj*gu *meerikl*stest tulvil. Esi*lgu tundus teenindus meeldiv j* toidud v*hv*d, kuid kui pe*ro* oot*misest oli mööd*s üks vein j* k*ks tundi, siis muutusime kärsituks j* olemine polnud en*m nii tore. Kelnerid muudkui jooksid kööki uurim* j* kinnit*sid et kohe-kohe on s**bum*s. Just siis kui me olime otsust*nud l*hkud*, tuli kelner uue pudeli vei**** j* p*kkus sed* kompens*tsiooniks oot ...