Istanbul, Turkey

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Trip start
May 21, 2024
Istanbul, Turkey
Fatih, Istanbul
May 21, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
With winter approaching and temperatures no longer high
After six months of housesitting, it’s definitely time to fly.
Our Qatar seats were rather tight, the plane totally full
Worth it to experience a three day stopover in Istanbul.

Took a shuttle to our hotel in Fatih by the port
Had time to freshen up and our suitcases sort.
Headed out to explore with goggle maps on phone
Discovering many steep streets all cobbled in stone.

A plethora of restaurants but in which one to stop?
Chose one with an open air balcony up on a rooftop.
Ate wood-fired charred meats with fries and salad
It needed more seasoning but overall was not bad.

Evening traffic clogs the streets at chaotic angles
Numerous horns beep but the snarls stay in tangles.
Bright yellow taxis and buses for public to use
Stalls on every corner serve fresh orange juice.

Walked up the hill into Sultan Ahmet square
Just at the beginning of evening call to prayer.
Wailing chants from an abundance of minarets
With domes create Istanbul’s skyline silhouette.Read more
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Istanbul, Turkey
Balat, Istanbul
May 22, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Awoke to morning chants and seagull cries
A crisp clear morning with promising skies.
Istanbulkart aided us navigating tram and train fares
Ventured to Balat known for colourful homes & stairs.

Rainbow painted steps and multiple umbrellas bright
Taking photos whilst avoiding Instagrammer fights!
Hills ensured our wanderings were at a slow pace
A shoeshiner picking up on Chris’s generous face!

Refreshing drinks with water views at a rooftop cafe
Admiring the Suleymaniye Mosque as locals did pray.
Onwards and upwards towards the Grand Bazaar maze
By hundreds of stalls and upon a myriad of wares gaze.

Jewellery, leather goods, clothes, carpets and prayer mats
Plus on every corner or under a chair you’ll find some cats.
Escaped the labyrinth by continuing to follow signs
Into fresh air always tinged with the smell of felines.Read more
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Istanbul, Turkey
Basilica Cistern, Istanbul
May 22, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Had a mini siesta before venturing out once more
Weaving through traffic, past multiple sweet stores.
Pomegranate, rose and pistachios in triangular piles
Sugar coated Turkish Delight usually produced smiles.

The Basilica Cistern was on our list to must see
Knowing we’d have to pay the inflated tourist fee!
Descended down where many Byzantine columns of old
Support the cistern built to sustain sieges, so stories told.

Medusa and other sculptors add interesting art
Too soon it was closing time, we had to depart.
Gluten free pizza directed us to our place to eat
As Turkish life effortlessly spills out onto the street.Read more
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Istanbul, Turkey
Taksim and Ortakoy, Istanbul
May 23, 2024 in Turkey ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Next morning arrived at Taksim Square using the metro
Walking Istiklal Street which is both trendy and retro.
Under more rainbow umbrellas strategically suspended
Towards the Galata Tower which was still being mended.

Boarding a local ferry was to be our next mission
By Dolmabahçe Palace with it’s enviable position.
Onto Ortakoy boasting the Mecidye Mosque waterside
Plus Kumpir (stuffed baked potatoes), naturally we tried.

Viewed yet more architecture from times of Ottoman
Before we returned to digs trying our first real Haman.
Sauna, steam then laid starkers on a marble slab
Exfoliated down with a mitt, no care for one’s flab.

Hosed then covered in a thick lather of lavender foam
Finished off rinsing by buckets of cold water thrown!
Towelled down, gown wrapped and told rest awhile
Interesting experience but prefer to try another style.

Our three day stopover quickly came to an end
We’ll return in October for more time to spend.
Thanks for the adventure Istanbul, we say goodbye
Next to see Chris’s family so off to Vienna we fly.Read more
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Trip end
May 24, 2024

Fatih, Istanbul

Balat, Istanbul

Basilica Cistern, Istanbul

Taksim and Ortakoy, Istanbul