Arrival in Istanbul

Long day - taxi at 3 a.m., but trip itself was uneventful. We arrived at the brand new Istanbul Airport which is wonderful, quiet peaceful and efficient, we were out with our bags in no time at all. After checking in to the hotel we walked to the spice market which is just down the street in the centre of the city, and afterwards went for an early dinner at a restaurant we know next to the aghia Sofia mosque ( it used to a cathedral, then a museum and then a mosque) . The setting for the restaurant is wonderful - down inside a medieval water cistern and every time before we have loved it. Since then its been done up and seems now to cater to Japanese and Chinese tour groups. The food is still great but the prices are stunningly and eye-wateringly expensive. Ah well , , , times change! At least on our walk back we bought our first batch of baklava. Still good!Read more