Istanbul

We had a great flight on our last leg of the journey to Istanbul. We were fed and watered immediately after take off then the cabin went quiet after the pill popping. A great sleep was had by all until the last 2hrs of the journey. No one seemed to guide us to the customs area on arrival so we just kept walking and there was our driver to transfer us to our little hotel in the centre of Istanbul. We were too early for our rooms so wandered down the street and tried some local tea and breads. Our lovely female guide arrived at midday to take the 4 of us on a walking tour exploring the main Byzantian Heritage sites, Haghia Sophia which is now an amazing museum then onto the Blue Mosque. After that it was off to the Grand Bazaar which she warned us was full of heaps of Chinese made rubbish. However there were some quality shops hidden amongst them if you knew where to go. We spent some time in a leather coat shop which was divine.......i say no more.She also took us to a carpet shop which was the real genuine thing and the only one subsidised by the govt to stop the trade dying. To see these skills in action blew us away. Jill drove a hard bargain but I resisted the temptation. There was plenty of Turkish tea delivered over that deal. After some advise from our guide on places worth eating at she left us at 6pm. We had a meal then headed back to our hotel after a Turkish beer along the way then a couple of night caps back in our room. 

Here we are inside the Blue Mosque. I was provided with my outfit as forgot to take my scarf.