I'm back in Chisinau after 5 days in Istanbul--meeting Alma and her sister Lois there--and then a day in Odessa in the Ukraine. The Istanbul trip is the topic of today's blog. I'll give some Odessa photos and talk about the class I'm finishing in the next update.
The trip from Chisinau to Istanbul takes only about 75 minutes by plane but I was fed on the trip there in the evening and we 3 were fed on the morning trip back. I did't encounter long lines on the trip there, but on our return back we stood in line in Chisinau for about one hour to enter the country. Several flights came in at once and only a few exit points. People were all pushing their way forward--no real lines.
We all loved our time in Istanbul. We had a nice hotel in a wonderful location with the tram line just steps from the hotel. While we had a torrid rain the first day--with thunder fairly close--the weather was fine the rest of the trip. There is a lot to see and people are very welcoming--they are very tourist oriented. I'll attach a few pictures, but really you should think of this as a great place to visit. I wouldn't describe it as cheap, but it is very affordable and most things you might buy are reasonaby priced. Food is great!
We visited the Sophia Hagia Mosque, the Blue Mosque and the Sultan's Topikpa Palace the first day. The next day we went to the Grand Bazaar and the city cisternes that lie beneath the city. Later the Spice Market and the Arcaheology Museum and a tour on the Bosphorous. For us, it was a very walkable city but there is a lot of walking and some ups and downs so it would be a dificlt trek for some.
The hotel served breakfast which was definitely in the Turkish style--quite a bit of yogurt and various fruits and sauces--but some cereals and eggs available as well. So,we started each day there and then ventured out and about. The tram took us to the new part of the city--on the Asian side of the Bosporus Straits--where there is a strolling street that is thronged with crowds but very enjoyable. We signed up for a boat tour and that took several hours on the waters and to some palaces and the fort used to monitor traffic at the narrowest part of the Straits.
We found a shuttle to the airport that was less than half of the taxi prices so took that back for our flight to Chisinau.
Several photos below. Most are labeled. I'd been in Chisinau about 6 weeks when we travelled to Istanbul (October 7-12), so it was nice timing for me to get out. Then, on the return I have the delightful company--my wife and her sister Lois. It's been great to have their company and I'll miss Lois who leaves tomorow.
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| The guy on the right is older! |
Istanbul Cisterne
Istanbl Blue Mosque
Inside the Grand Bazaar-let the shopping begin!
Bill and Alma at the Spice Market
Inside Sophia Hagia Mosque
Alma on European side and Bill on Asian side of Straits of Bosphorus
Walking the Istiklal (Indepedence Street) in Istanbul's New Town area
Diners enjoying a Turkish dinner
Making bread at the restaurant window!
Washing feet outside the Mosque!
Amisos Hotel, Istanbul--our spot!
Fort erected at narrowest part of Straits to monitor incoming ships!
That's it for now--more later!
Bill
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