A couple of days hanging in Istanbul with Tom and Caitlin was excellent. We visited the huge Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia, a massive church-turned-mosque with impressive Byzantine mosaics. We'd planned to follow up these star attractions with Topkapi Palace, but rain drove us indoors for lahmuçan (Turkish pizza) and kebaps in warm, dry surrounds.
Keeping to indoor pursuits, we wandered the lively and colourful spice market, venturing out once the rain had cleared in time to see Sunday afternoon fishing in full swing on the city's Galata Bridge. Walking uphill towards Taksim Square, the smell of fresh coffee from a cosy cafe proved too tempting and we all decided it was time for a break. Great coffee and a creative game of English/Turkish scrabble was enjoyed, with lots of low scoring 'k' tiles and an abundance of 'i's making things challenging.
The next day we explored Topkapi Palace, admiring stunning tilework in the harem and one of the world's largest diamonds, among other ridiculously ornate royal items. That evening was our last night before leaving Istanbul, so we had a delicious fish meal with Tom and Caitlin before heading our separate ways.
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