the last few days in Istanbul

Taksim Park

Taksim Square

After my flight delays leaving Cappadocia - I got to Taksim square on the bus from the airport at 3pm on October 30th.  Instead of rushing through the square with my pack, I figured I should look around as I may not get a chance on another day.  Taksim square has many restaurants and cafes and was the location for the political protests that happened earlier this year in Istanbul.  I enjoyed a coffee and sandwich and did some people watching for about an  hour. 

Republic Monument - Taksim Square

Burnt Column - Cemberlitas

Upon leaving Taksim Square I took the Funicular to Kabatas (one of the local ports) and then the tram back to Sultanahmet.  I was happy to be returning to the Istanbul hostel where I had stayed at the beginning of the trip.   That night I met some backpackers at the hostel - Tiffany (Arizona), Alex (Scotland), Mikis (Belgium), Ilios (Sweden) and Maurice (California). 

 The next day - Alex, Mikis and I headed out to explore some more of the great city of Istanbul.  We started with the Blue Mosque as the guys hadn't been there yet.  After discovering a very long lineup at Topkapi Palace, we decided to move on and attempt it later on.  We wandered through the Grand Bizaar, and kept walking towards the Valens Aqueduct.  The aqueduct runs almost a kilometre long through the city and used to transport water.  It was built in the 4th century AD. 

Valens Aqueduct

 Our next stop was the St. Saviour in Chora Church.  It was quite a ways from the Aqueduct and so we took a taxi to get there.  The church had amazing frescoes, but unfortunately you couldn't use flash, so my photos didn't turn out so great.  The Church was a 4th century original which was restored in the 6th century under Emporer Justinian. 

Chora Church

Byzantine or Theodosian Wall of Istanbul

Mikis and Alex

 The Byzantine wall was located quite close to the Chora Church and so we walked along it and went up onto it in a very small section.  The Wall was built in the 5th century and protected most of Constantinople.  We taxied back to the Grand Bazaar where we went our separate ways - I had some shopping in the bazaar to do.  The taxi took us via a different route along the Golden Horn - great views of the waterfront along the way.  After the Grand Bazaar I took the road to the Spice Bazaar, which was filled with many types of spices and teas. Upon returning to the hostel I was able to catch up with Tanya who I had met in Cappadocia.

Another great evening spent  - good food and good company from the hostel. 

The New Mosque

Inside Topkapi Palace

November 1st - Friday I got to Topkapi Palace before the rush of people came - the doors opened at 9am.  Even with exploring all the rooms for 90 minutes - I was rushed to see it all.  The palace has many jewels, armour, and antiquities that you couldn't photograph.  You were allowed to take photos in some areas.


After the palace I picked up Mikis and Tanya at the hostel and we headed to the Asian side of Istanbul.  The Ferry took us on a cruise up the Bosphorous Strait, making stops on the European and Asian side.  We got off at Beylerbeyi on the Asian side. 

Topkapi Palace Grounds

Cruising the Bosphorous Strait

Tanya and Mikis

Bridge from Europe to Asia

Walking the streets on the Asian side of Istanbul

Enjoyed a delicious kiwi and chocolate waffle sandwich here

Fish Markets galore

Tripe or Pigs feet anyone?

Hagia Sophia at night

Gulhane Park

 Lots of markets with fresh fish were found.  We had a great waffle sandwich with kiwi and chocolate sauce.  We also went into a mosque, but mostly just walked around for the afternoon.  We took the bus to Uksidar - the next town and after walking through another market there - went back on the ferry to the european side. 

 I enjoyed my last hamam that evening with Tiffany.




My flight was delayed a day from November 2nd until November 3rd and so I wandered through this park on my final day in Istanbul.

The trip was fantastic - I loved every part of it.  A truly enjoyable country - I would recommend visiting Turkey to anyone. I also really loved my time in Austria.  The scenery is breathtaking, the people are friendly and the music is amazing.