Final Istanbul Blog

Hi every body,

This is the final blog of our trip to Turkey - Istanbul.

After our morning visit to the Topkapi Palace, we did a bit of looking around in general. We planned a night cruise on the Bosporus, that evening to celebrate Simone's birthday the next day. So we did n't want to tire ourselves out completely........!

 

 

View from the Galata Bridge, one of the oldest bridges of Istanbul . The bridge crosses the mouth of The Golden Horn. People used to sell their wares from the bridge, however, now they mainly use the bridge to fish from and a crossing from one suburb to the other.

On the Galata Bridge looking on to the area called Eminonu.

The spice bazaar.

Lots of spices for sale as well as caviar.

Saffron, soooo cheap!!! A pity I am not allowed to take it in to Australia.

And what about the famous Beluga Caviar.

Luckily, that one I got for my birthday and it certainly will be all finished before we go back!!!

Spices, all sorts of tea, nuts, sweet treats, you name it, they got it!

On board the boat, taking us for a night tour on the Bosporus.

The start of our dinner on the tour.

One of the modern bridges over the Bosporus , lit up at night by laser beams.

Part of the tour was a performance by a belly dancer. This is the start of her performance.

There she goes.......!

On and on!!!

People were invite to join in with a dance.

One of the many illuminated buildings on the shore.What a wonderful tour and what a fantastic start to my birthday!

Next morning I was treated to a REAL cup of coffee. Wonderful.

We had time in the morning to visit the Basilica Cistern. An enormous under ground water reservoir, built in 532. This cistern was initially built by the Emperor Constantinus I. The water in the cistern comes from various aqueducts.

Inside the Cistern.

Having a wonderful lunch to celebrate my birthday.

Personnel of the little restaurant surprised me with a birthday cake!

Goodbye Istanbul, time to part....... We had a wonderful and very special time with the four of us!

Off to the airport, back to Holland! The next day we had another family reunion to attend to!

Well that is the end of the Istanbul blogs.

Next time we hope to sent you some photos from places we will visit in Belgium and of course..... The next season, Autumn, has started.

Greetings from us, L&S .xxxx