Istanbul

So....As promised im gonna write about our day in Istanbul...but again...i might keep u in a little bit more of a suspense by only telling u about half of the day....reason being....cause i have a lot to say and many pics....so i think the blog would be too long if i write it all into one...and now u thinking...if i wouldnt explain for sooooooo long and just get to the point then maybe i could have fitted all info and all pics into one blog....but then my response would be...how much fun would that be...me just telling u about facts...then you might as well go read a fact sheet on Istanbul....hmmmmm.....anyway...let me get started now....

We woke up around 8....had some breakfast....and some excellent strong coffee.....then decided to get dressed and get going....yes....cold in Istanbul so def dress warm....jeans....long shirt...jersey....jacket....takkies....and ready i was.....we took the tram....that was a debate....kim wanted the tram...his excuse was we need to try for the experience....i know it is more because he was lazy.....and i of course wanted to walk....so we came up with a compromise....take tram to the first place and then walk the rest of the day....fair....tram was nice....but nothing i havent experienced....but still nice....cause it was a little chilly so early in the morning.....first stop....across the river.....Blue Mosque.....now here is a fact....why is it called the Blue mosque...actually that was a question....here is the fact..there was an emperor many decades ago that had three wifes....however...the two older ones were very jealous of the younger wife.....so when they went to the mosque one day, they poisoned the younger woman.....and she died.....they later found the poison and it was a blue colour....so then it became known as the blue mosque...interesting.....but.....made up by me....the true story is just so boring....but here it is.....a lot of the mosaic used inside is blue.....so they called it the Blue Mosque....here some more facts.....

-aka Sultan Ahmed Mosque

-built from 1609 to 1616

-architecture is a culmination of two centuries.....Ottoman and Byzantine

-it has 6 minarets, 8 domes and 1 main dome

Ok...i think thats enough facts for now...i mean we are not doing history here...but i think some basic info is good to know...and u know....by me writing it down..it actually helps me remember....so im actually doing myself a favour...hahaha.....here are some pics

After that.....we startedvwalking towards the underwater cistern...which kim didnt know about....it is an underground chamber....about 138m long and 65m wide.....when you walk all the way through it you get arrive at two Medusa heads.....im not gonna write the story of the two heads...but im gonna allow you to read it for yourself....here it is.....i like the second story, myth of the heads.....

I was really impressed with it....what a sight...and so beautifully done...constructed....you know...even a scene from an old James Bond movie was filmed there...but nevermind that....the cistern....really cool to see...really enjoyed it....here are two pics.....

After that...time for some food...all over Turkey and even Greece there are these trolleys that sell these bread like things....remember when i was in Athens i tried one thin bread thingy with seeds...well this time we wanted to try this sweet bread stuffed with nuts....it was so dry....was revolting...we had like 3 bites and then the dustbin could have the rest.....hmmmm.....then kim wanted a kebab....so we stopped at a typical shop like a....in the wall type and he bought a kebab...while he ate...i actually found a wax place and off i went...man these Turkish salons really know how to to the job efficient and good....excellento.....here is a pic of the kebab place....well the funniest is that they weigh the meat when they cut it and only put 70g of it in it....how funny....

And here is also a pic of the actual kebab.....and guess what kim asked for....tomato sauce.....unreal.....

After that....we started to walk towards the Grand Bazar....but you know me and bazars...Love the food stalls....but there, they all sell the same...nuts...dried fruits....turkish delights (the jelly ones)..... And did i mention nuts and dried fruit.....yes....and some spices.....the non food stalls sell any fake stuff.....from clothes to handbags to purses....then of course souvenirs....and wedding dresses etc etc etc....we walked around maybe 20min and then we both had seen enough...and yes we bought some chocolate..i mean that was almost a given...no nuts cause we were only just in Izmir.....then time for some local tea....no...no normal tea....apple tea...divine....and then enough bazar....now i was starting to get hungry also...so we started to walk towards the bridge which would take us to the other side....yes yes....that is the normal function of a bridge to take you from one side of the river to the other....whatever.....we still on the European side though....and you know....the after lunch activities i will tell you about in my next blog....but before i end completely....here is two last pics.....

So cheers....im off now.....need to read my book...im 80% of the way....very interesting at the moment....even though i know what happens....hahaha...who cares....cheers for today.....

 

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