Istanbul [part two]
Our campsite in Istanbul was part of a sports complex and little did we know that the locals would be playing soccer at 3 am. At first we thought it was just a social game but when we noticed Umpires and full uniforms it was clear that this was a proper match. So our first full day in Istanbul started with a site move, a group of Italian motor homers had left so we had the opportunity to move further from the field, the busy road and closer to the seafront. So position secured we left to walk the rough kilometre to the main tourist centre of the city.
Our first days sightseeing in Istanbul started at the Blue Mosque. We approached from below and had the first sight of an impressive building rising majestically above us. As we moved closer it was exciting to see it spread out before us and we quickly found the line where we could enter. To enter the mosque you must be dressed appropriately and luckily I had taken a scarf with me, but if you don’t have one they will supply one on your entry. Shoes off and popped into a bag, scarf over head (ladies) and we were ready to view one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen. I think we were lucky as it was still early and it wasn’t too crowded, so we were able to enjoy the sight of the massive dome and the beautiful tile work.
Leaving the Blue Mosque we walked around the Hippodrome to the Aya Sophia, where the line was pretty long so we decided to go and have a coffee and work out a plan for the days exploring. This ended up being the most expensive coffee, but we should have known it would be fronting the tourist precinct. Ah well live and learn and we did enjoy it anyway. We then decided we would leave the Aya Sophia for later in the day when the tour groups leave and head to the Grand Bazaar. Walking up through the smaller streets we wound our way past rows of restaurants all calling to us and making us offers they thought we couldn’t refuse. But it was still too early for lunch and we wanted to get to the Bazaar and see the spectacle of 72 or so acres of glitz , 61 streets, 10 wells, 4 fountains, 2 mosques and over 3 thousand shops filled with all sorts of jewellery, carpets, ceramics , silverware, clothing, shoes, bags and souvenirs by the truckload. It is a fascinating place that leads you down streets and lanes into a world of exotic goods and spruiking salesmen.
After getting almost lost in the labyrinth of the market we emerged into the sunshine and decided to look for some lunch. Time for the Turkish fare of a chicken kebab, straight off the grill and devoured watching the passing traffic coming and going to the Bazaar.
Time then to walk back to the Aya or Hagia Sophia, a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum. We lined up to buy our tickets and passed the security scanner and entered this majestic building.
Hagia Sophia served as the principal mosque of Istanbul for almost 500 years. It became a model for many of the Ottoman mosques of Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque, the Suleiman Mosque, and many others.
Unfortunately the Mosque is undergoing cleaning, roof repairs and restoration work and we found our view obstructed by a huge scaffolding stretching up into the dome in the centre of the nave.
After experience the extraordinary spaciousness of this famous church-turned-mosque-turned museum and marvelling at the wonderful mosaic and frescoes we made our way back to camp.
We were exhausted and lucky for me, Clyde and Anna offered to bake our chicken with theirs in their oven with potatoes and carrots so it was an easy dinner and an early night.
