ISTANBUL NOT CONSTANTINOPLE

Thursday, October 10, 2013

ISTANBUL NOT CONSTANTINOPLE

Istanbul is a city of domes and minarets. A sprawling dusty metropolis in the U bend of the European land mass where West meets East resulting in an interesting cultural cocktail (shaken not stirred).

We’re staying at the Serdivan Apart Hotel in the Sultanahmet district close to all of the old town tourist attractions. Our apartment is compact, clean and if you lean out of the window far enough, it has its own sea view.

Serdivan Apart Hotel - kitchen area

Bedroom corner

Room with a view of the sea - only just!

Istanbul is a city of hills, seven to be precise. Our apartment is half way up one of them so thighs should be nice and tight after a week of sightseeing. Luckily, there’s a handy corner shop that actually sells Efes beer – a bonus in a country where alcohol is the drink of the devil and Western infidels like us.

About 10 minutes from the hotel is the famous Blue Mosque. Truly a unique and beautiful building from whatever angle you view it. Its towering minarets point skywards like slender arrows piercing the heavens.

Blue Mosque

Across from the Blue Mosque is the Haghia Sophia, an ancient church dating back to the times of the Byzantine empire that sits proud in its array of coloured stone like some antique jewel from a pasha’s treasury. I can’t wait to see inside.

Haghia Sophia

Outside the hamam area

We sauntered along from the Haghia Sophia following the line of the city trams up the Divan Yolu towards the Grand Bazaar.

Need a rug?

Minarets at dusk

Here, the city is a lively, shopping mecca full of baklava shops, lamp emporiums and that Turkish favourite, the good old genuine, quality fakes. Branded shoes, bags, clothes, you name it – the Turks have it copied and for half the price back home. I’ll be checking out the price of a pair of All Stars and brushing up my haggling skills for later on in the week.