ISTANBUL

We are here for a couple of days in Istanbul. Went on private walking tour around the palaces and mosques of the old town. Had to get up early for old persons ablutions & bowels, so breakfast taken on balcony - lovely outlook, so much river traffic, we are the confluence of the Bosphorus to & the Golden Horn.  Topkapi & Hagia Sofia were great. Hagia was a Cathedral then a mosque then a museum & back to mosque so lots of styles. The room with coffins reflects the old Ottoman tradition of coronation. When new Sultan crowned, all his brothers were killed & their children strangled. That would Claire lots of business. Went Bazaar for shopping, so exhausted by then opted for river ferry ride & back to boat. Still cheap to eat, had afternoon tea for 3. Six cups of tea, 3 cakes, four bottles of water £8 with tip.