Arrival is Istanbul - Day 1

Yesterday was a big day! After our disappointment at not being able to see Troy, we were really looking forward to Istanbul. After breakfast we pulled into port and docked right at the pier. We had booked a bus tour but first needed to scan our entrance visas, then locate our bus and get on. First stop was the blue mosque. It was huge and beautiful. The entire cityscape is dotted with mosques. The city itself is huge. 18 million people. Apparently the population is doubling every 10 years.

It appears that each sultan builds his own mosque and is usually buried somewhere on the grounds in a mausoleum. The exception being the Hagia Sophia which was originally a Byzantine church. Now it is a working mosque with a museum on the top floor. We did not visit this mosque. At the entry to the mosque we were given shoe bags and promptly removed our shoes. The women were required cover their heads and if one did not have a scarf one was provided. If someone was inappropriately clothed - either wearing shorts or short skirts - they were given a long skirt with a draw string to wear. Both men and women could be seen in this new fashion statement.

THe mosque is very large and was full of people. 5 times a day it closes for an hour for prayer. The reason you do not wear shoes is because people kneel when they pray and touch their heads to the ground; therefore the carpets need to be kept clean. We wandered through the mosque.

Then we went to the Topkapi Palace. This was a huge complex with many buildings. There was a hospital, kitchens, harem, library, mens’ quarters, audience room and rooms where major decisions were made. We toured the buildings where the Crown Jewels were kept. The third-largest diamond in the world was on display along with raw emeralds, rubies and other stones. There were jewel encrusted swords and a cradle. Different gold items were on display.

We walked across the courtyard to a display of Ottoman mens’ clothing. This included fur-lined shirts replete with embroidery and handmade buttons. It was very interesting. Of note was a shirt lined with chainmail - the ancient equivalent of a bullet-proof vest!

The armoury was also open and had flintlock guns and rifles - some were very long and obviously quite heavy. There were armoured face-coverings for horses. Interesting sabres and swords were also there.

The guide talked a lot about Islam throughout the tour.

Next we hopped back on the bus and were dropped of at a hotel near the train station which was the southern terminus for the Orient Express. Agatha Christie had stayed at the hotel. There was a working elevator - the second one ever built, the first being in London. We had a delicious lunch and then go picked up again. We went on a circuitous route almost back to where we had been. THe traffic is crazy. The buses are short - 20 people - as the turns are so sharp and long busses would not be able to make them.

A carpet factory was our next stop. It was located in a 450-year-old building which had been a caravansary - where camel trains stopped on their was to and from the Silk Road. The camels would be housed on the main floor and the people on the higher floors. We had a demonstration of how the silk fibres are removed from cocoons and then spun together, dyed and made into rugs. There are four types of rug - sheep’s wool, lamb’s wool, cashmere wool, and silk. The rugs were stunning! We were persuaded but did not purchase anything.

Finally, off to the Grand Bazaar where 4000 different shops are located. It was overwhelming and very noisy. After a brief tour we opted to have a refreshing drink before heading to the bus and back to the ship. A very full and interesting day.