Day Five - Istanbul

This morning I learn a large bomb went off last night in Istanbul killing 17 and injured 150, it was about 10 miles away and did not seem to be directed at tourists so I do not feel that threatened, but relatives at home always fear the worst so I call home to tell them not to worry.

Before breakfast I take a walk around the local neighbourhood.


This is the Sultan Ahmet III Fountain. Built in 1729, the fountain symbolises luxury, abundance and beauty. The Haghia Sophia can be seen behind it.Breakfast on the hotel roof terrace, the Blue Mosque is only a few hundred meters behind me and is clearly visible and audible during the call to prayer.

Breakfast consists of cheese, olives, yoghurt, hard boiled eggs, bread, honey, jam and tea from a large urn, coffee was not an option.
After breakfast I take a short taxi ride to the Kapalıçarşı (Grand Bazaar) opened in 1461 and contains about 6,000 shops

Everyone seems to want to sell you a Persian carpet.



I have a chat with this guy, he's from Argentina and has been on the road travelling for six years and was on his third bike, he tells me some amazing tales, I'm in awe of such committed travellers. I gladly bought one of the tiny doll badges he was selling to contribute to his journey.
I go back to the hotel to change out of my shorts into long trousers so I can go inside the Blue Mosque, its amazing


I have lunch in a local street cafe, Mixed Kebab with Yoghurt, delicious and not too expensive.


That afternoon I relax in a cafe people watching and drinking tea from a glass and smoking a Nargile (Hookah, Bubble Pipe). I am really getting to like Istanbul, its attacks your senses from all sides but in a nice way and the people are really very friendly, even if some of them are only trying to get you to buy a carpet.

On the streets the Police are clearly a bit jumpy after last nights bomb and are pulling people over and checking ID documents.

There was also a big bomb in Iraq killing many more people so the Istanbul bomb didn't get the headlines they were looking for, so I go to bed early as they might strike again to make the headlines they missed last night, tomorrow I ride into Asia.