We started the day with a drive around the ancient part of Istanbul. The Fortress walls are obvious in several places, actually three sets of walls. (Not a good photo, but no doubt there is a website with better ones)
Istanbul Ancient Walls
These were a very effective defence until gunpowder was invented, then the walls were rather useless. Next was a visit to the Church of Chora – a Christian Church which was turned into a mosque after the Ottomans reclaimed the city in 1453. Now it is a museum with some preserved and restored icons on its ceilings and walls from its early Christian beginnings. Much entertainment was provided seeing the bus get out of this congested area, with narrow roads, huge buses and Turkish temperaments. How they get these buses through some of the gaps defies logic, with literally a coat of paint separating vehicles – but it happens, all in good humour.
The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia lie opposite one another across a square. We went into the Blue Mosque but will go to Hagia Sophia tomorrow. The Mosque had a large courtyard and was huge inside (I will post an inside photo when I find one – mine did not portray the size or decoration sufficiently well).
Blue Mosque Courtyard
We had to carry our shoes and some blokes wore shorts, which meant a cover-up was needed. Good look Peter and Greg!
Shorts in the Mosque!
Some photos from inside are here.
The Topkapi Palace is now a museum, but gives some insight into how some people lived – in this case the Sultan. Three walls with gates and lovely gardens inside, marble everywhere, a kitchen for 240 chefs and so on. The jewels on display were mainly emeralds and rubies with one huge diamond of 87 carats – a monster. Apparently there was one larger, but it was withdrawn from display.
Topkapi Palace
And then it was off to the Grand Bazaar, much to the disappointment of our control-freak guide who wanted to escort us everywhere and give us the benefit of his vast knowledge, wisdom and humour. OK, I’m being a little harsh, but it was nice to have a guide-free afternoon.
Anyway, back to the Grand Bazaar. What a sensation! Huge is probably an understatement. Probably best described as Paddy’s Markets on steroids. Very clean, with shops rather than stalls so very organised in lay-out. Many, many streets and cross-roads. I did not see a lot of variety but we did not venture down too many streets, so the generalisation that most shops were either jewellery, ceramics, leather, carpet or pashmina shops may be a bit unfair. There were occasional clothing shops, a few fashion shops, some ‘light’ shops (as in decorated light fittings) plus occasional coffee shops etc. Full of life and vitality with nearly all stores staffed by blokes. Very few female shop assistants.
Grand bazaar
Mick Vella now rates himself as ‘Haggler Extraordinaire’, regaling us with stories of beating down traders, offering fractions of the asking price, walking away in disgust etc. Eric needs to watch out – his position is threatened. We know he’s bought containers of second hand computers from Pakistan via Kuwait, but Mick is showing signs of taking over his mantle.
Must wrap this up. Istanbul was never on my list of cities to visit – but it has been a very pleasant place and Aussies are certainly made feel welcome here. I need to come back here.
Must wrap this up. Istanbul was never on my list of cities to visit – but it has been a very pleasant place and Aussies are certainly made feel welcome here. I need to come back here.
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