Arasta Boutique Hotel Istanbul

We went to the crow's nest to watch out progress through the Dardenelles There were Turkish forts at the narrows of the straits which vary in width from 1.2kms. at the narrowest point to a maximum width of 6 kilometres. Then it was into the Sea of Marmara.
They had to offload a lady who was sick and she was picked up by an orange-coloured fast vessel for transport to ...

... by the faithful trying to get as close to the objects before guards had to motion them back.

So after the buzz of seeing the hair of Mohammad, the stick of Moses, and the other religious relics, we headed into the Treasury where we could see the "other" valuables of the sultans. The jewels that we saw in there we of every ostentatious design. There was an even a box of $3 million worth of emeralds sitting in a case - a box!!! They found ...

... is very very good and I don't think we hit anything. Dorm rooms again but at least it's a bed. Istanbul is fantastic. I haven't done much sightseeing becasue I've been feeling a bit run down but we've wandered round the Grand Bazzaar, haggled and bought things, drunk tea, smoked shisha, had a good night out, been to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofya and today we went to a Hammam for a traditional Turkish bath. Four of the girls ...

... it sounds like the guys who work at the hotel are talking about me because they say something to each other and then it sounds like 'oh Australi' probably my imagination though. Well we are about to do some sight-seeing and see if we can find our way around (after something to eat though). I hope everyone is going well. Miss you all lots and lots, say hi to the kiddies for me. Luv Claire XOXO

When I woke up thıs mornıng, we stıll dıdnt have our power back. It wasnt a bıg deal. Takıng a cold shower when ıt ıs 40 degrees outsıde ısnt so bad. After breakfast, I went to vısıt Topkapı Palace. Thıs was the resıdence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years. The palace was full of examples of Ottoman style archıtecture and also owns large collectıons. I wıll be honest. I was there for 3 hours and was quıte bored. I was practıcally ...

... and engage. Not only by virtue of their approach and persistence but in terms of shear numbers, Turkey's are the peskiest I've seen yet. You cannot get past them unless you are prepared to be utterly rude and that's something I have a difficult time doing. These guys are expert salesmen, working at building relationships in seconds. They smile and extend a hand as they greet you with the usual, 'where you from?' and an introduction. They're ...

"My Turkey is way far out" That's what this tripped out Canadian said to me over breakfast this morning. Then he proceded to move his hand in a fluid arcing motion for ten minutes then leave. That's how I got greated to the great city of Istanbul! I think I'm in love. This city is AMAZING! The best of Europe and Asia. I just wish I had more money to spend on food! Photos to come once my jaw closes.

... a while he then sped off again with us in the back saying he was taking us to the police station but he no intention of doing this and was just driving around the streets of Istanbul. After some time he offered me 20 lira to get out of his taxi of course being stubborn and not fond of getting ripped off I refused and insisted he give me back my money. He then drove us to this very busy road that circles Istanbul along the water. He stopped ...

Well, today we set off to Sultanahmet, the ancient part of Istanbul for a spot of sightseeing. It's always possible to overdo these things, especially for Maggie and Georgie who are not wild about monuments etc in the first place. We found the spice bazaar on our way, and earmarked it for a more prolonged exploration on another day. I decided that the best way to find the sights was to 'follow my nose'. I know, I know, but it seemed like a good idea at the ...

... OKAY - BUT IT IS NOT A HAY DAY ANYMORE. - LARGEST CITY IN TURKEY, WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF 70,000,000. HAS THE LARGEST BAZAAR IN THE WORLD AND IT IS COVERED - 40,000 SHOPS IN IT. SHOP AFTER SHOP AFTER SHOP AFTER SHOP WITH DISPLAY WINDOWS FILLED WITH GOLD JEWELERY AND OTHER GOLD OBJECTS. IT BOGGLES THE MIND SEEING THIS DISPLAY OF GOLD. BIG SELLING ITEMS IN ISTANBUL AND THE BAZAAR ARE: - GOLD JEWELERY (SILVER TOO ...