I had a sleep in but still managed to have breakfast, confirm I was staying at the same hotel the last two days of my trip (and negotiate a cheaper price!), then headed off to Topkapi Palace for opening time of 9am. When I got there, there was alread a queue (it is Saturday, there are a large number of Turkish people here as well as tourists).
Topkapi Palace is a site to behold. Mehmet the Conqueror started work on the Palace in 1453 and lived there til he died in 1481, then subsequent sultans used this as their place of residence until the 19th century. The Topkapi Palace is not just one building, it is a series of buildings, including a harem, kitchen, imperial council chamber, inner Treasury, library, and circumcision room, as well as four separate courts (more like courtyards but on a grand scale). Whilst I was there, hundreds of tourists came through the venue, including large groups from cruise liners docked locally. There was the most amazing mix of languages being used, and people watching was sensational.
Here are some of the photos of the Palace (really hard to choose just a couple!!):
I ended up spending 4 hours wandering around the Palace. I hired an audio tape, that gave me a commentary of various aspects of the site, and am glad I did. I did take the Lonely Planet with me and did reading, but the audio added just so much (don't use this all the time at sites as can get quite costly).
After the Palace, I needed the toilet, fluides and food so headed to the hotel for all 3. I am cutting back on what I spend on a day to day basis now as I only have about 5 weeks before I am on half pay (took long-service leave, some of if double time and half pay). It is good for the sole! Just means that I buy supplies from the supermarket and only have one big meal out, using public transport and limiting souvenir shopping (not that I have done that much to date!)
Off again, this time heading via foot north east to the Spice Market. The streets of Istanbul are a bit of a rabbit warren, but the streets are a lot better signposted than even Ireland so I didn't ever get lost. I literally found myself in the Spice Market, and had a great time exploring.
I then walked outside and practically walked into Yeni Cami (known in Istanbul as the new mosque but it is 400 years old!!) There were literally hundreds of local people at the site, many streaming in to pray so I didn't even ask if I could go in, I had such a fascinating time sitting outside and watching the people interact with one another, wash before entering the mosque, and taking photos.
For those who don't know, the Bosphorus straight divides Istanbul into the European and Asian parts, European side on the western shore. The European side is then further divided by the Golden Horn, another body of water, into Old Istanbul (where I am staying) and Beyoglu. The Galata Bridge joins the two.
I decided to head over the incredibly busy main road that runs parallel with the Golden Horn to get across to the Galata Bridge. Along the top section of the bridge are many people fishing, and on the level below, are restaurants and bars. Then you have large ferries and boats travelling under the bridge so it was a chaotic scene - not certain if it is like this everyday or just on the weekends. It was a great chance to again people watch, and then in Beyoglu I stumbled across a seafood market - the smell of freshly cooked fish was devine so I bought a fish sandwich (fillet of fish grilled on a bbq in bread roll with salad that includes fresh mint, parsley and dill, dried chilli and lemon juice). It was brilliant!!!!
Back to the hotel via the supermarket and here is where I will stay for the night. It isn't late but I am exhausted, and have enough supplies if I get hungry or thirsty. I have to plan what I want to do tomorrow!! Oh, by the way, the weather was a lot better, 23c and sunny so I was a happy girl.
Topkapi Palace is a site to behold. Mehmet the Conqueror started work on the Palace in 1453 and lived there til he died in 1481, then subsequent sultans used this as their place of residence until the 19th century. The Topkapi Palace is not just one building, it is a series of buildings, including a harem, kitchen, imperial council chamber, inner Treasury, library, and circumcision room, as well as four separate courts (more like courtyards but on a grand scale). Whilst I was there, hundreds of tourists came through the venue, including large groups from cruise liners docked locally. There was the most amazing mix of languages being used, and people watching was sensational.
Here are some of the photos of the Palace (really hard to choose just a couple!!):
 |
| Main entrance |
I ended up spending 4 hours wandering around the Palace. I hired an audio tape, that gave me a commentary of various aspects of the site, and am glad I did. I did take the Lonely Planet with me and did reading, but the audio added just so much (don't use this all the time at sites as can get quite costly).
After the Palace, I needed the toilet, fluides and food so headed to the hotel for all 3. I am cutting back on what I spend on a day to day basis now as I only have about 5 weeks before I am on half pay (took long-service leave, some of if double time and half pay). It is good for the sole! Just means that I buy supplies from the supermarket and only have one big meal out, using public transport and limiting souvenir shopping (not that I have done that much to date!)
Off again, this time heading via foot north east to the Spice Market. The streets of Istanbul are a bit of a rabbit warren, but the streets are a lot better signposted than even Ireland so I didn't ever get lost. I literally found myself in the Spice Market, and had a great time exploring.
I then walked outside and practically walked into Yeni Cami (known in Istanbul as the new mosque but it is 400 years old!!) There were literally hundreds of local people at the site, many streaming in to pray so I didn't even ask if I could go in, I had such a fascinating time sitting outside and watching the people interact with one another, wash before entering the mosque, and taking photos.
For those who don't know, the Bosphorus straight divides Istanbul into the European and Asian parts, European side on the western shore. The European side is then further divided by the Golden Horn, another body of water, into Old Istanbul (where I am staying) and Beyoglu. The Galata Bridge joins the two.
I decided to head over the incredibly busy main road that runs parallel with the Golden Horn to get across to the Galata Bridge. Along the top section of the bridge are many people fishing, and on the level below, are restaurants and bars. Then you have large ferries and boats travelling under the bridge so it was a chaotic scene - not certain if it is like this everyday or just on the weekends. It was a great chance to again people watch, and then in Beyoglu I stumbled across a seafood market - the smell of freshly cooked fish was devine so I bought a fish sandwich (fillet of fish grilled on a bbq in bread roll with salad that includes fresh mint, parsley and dill, dried chilli and lemon juice). It was brilliant!!!!
Back to the hotel via the supermarket and here is where I will stay for the night. It isn't late but I am exhausted, and have enough supplies if I get hungry or thirsty. I have to plan what I want to do tomorrow!! Oh, by the way, the weather was a lot better, 23c and sunny so I was a happy girl.
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