Istanbul: Where West Meets East

Sunday, May 24

Started in Ploeisti, Romania

After a long bus ride yesterday, with chaotic stops for lunch in Pitesti 

and to see the castle and grounds of the real-life Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, in Targoviste, 




the arrival at the Central Hotel in the Romanian City of Ploiesti was most welcome.

Sunset from the hotel room

A so-so buffet dinner with not-so-good wine and a short night’s sleep quickly became 6 AM and time to board the bus to the Bucharest airport. Where there was

More chaos. Long lines. Grumpy people. And a guide who failed to advocate strongly for her group. Anyway, after another long wait, 

The flight on Turkish Airlines was perfect. It was on time departing and arriving and was smooth across the southwest corner of the Black Sea. 

The Istanbul airport is new and huge. Taxiing to our gate took forever. It’s very clean and modern. Customs was a bit slow, but that worked out well because there was no wait for the arrival of the bags at the carousel. 

Coming into Istanbul

Fishing on the bridge over the Golden Horn

















Dinner table in courtyard at Four Seasons




Special chicken stuffed with rice

Shortrib flatbread


Chocolate lava cake

Ice cream with crunchy stuff


Monday, May 25

First Istanbul tour, feeling a bit drugged from cold meds, but can't miss this day. 

A Morning at Topkapi Palace 

Life of the Sultan in the Ottoman days

Harems, Mothers, Wives, Children, Guards, Concubines,  oh my!




Main Gate 







Eunuchs



Guess what this is…









Sultan’s Living Room




















My evening excursion to the ASIA side










And back




The Maiden’s Tower



Ok, NOW I've been to Asia*.

Tuesday, May 26

Hagia Sofia (”Holy Wisdom”) Grand Mosque 

is under major reconstruction. We are lucky that we are here now, as soon they will be closing it for at least ten years. If you want see it, go soon. 








The Sultan Ahmed “Blue” Mosque














The 6th Century Basilica Cistern















Trip Downtown for Lunch








Ferry Terminal








View from the restaurant

The 16th Century Istanbul Spice Market













Happy Hour Snacks on the Four Seasons’ Terrace 


Final Turkish Sunset


Tomorrow: 2:45 AM wake up call, 3:30 hotel departure,
7:30 to Munich, then on to Houston and Home to Tucson.

Wednesday, May 27

Istanbul Airport is huge and very modern. 





Back to Home Page

May 4-8 in Munich

May 8-15 Viking Var Cruise

May 15-17 in Buda and Pest

May 17-24 AMAMagna Cruise

Later: Trip Wrap-up and A Look Back


Jay Lyons, Tucson, AZ

www.JayLyons.com 




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