Avalanche Albo and Adieu Dutton

 Saturday 3rd May 2025

The plan on our last day in Istanbul was to visit the Hagia Sofia. Simple until we arrived at 9.30ish which we thought was relatively early. The lineup was huge and one of the nice scammers told us it was about 2 hours long and maybe he could help and did we want to buy a carpet.  

We walked briskly away screaming Noooooooooooooooooo.

So we decided not to go in but took some nice photos outside.

And look a cat

We decided to go somewhere else and the sign to the Tapeki Palace looked interesting. We joined a line of people obviously wanting to get into the palace.

A guy ahead of us was having a conversation we recognised with a scammer, but he managed to get rid of him. A fellow Aussie, he knew where he was.  Apparently we were in the line for the Basilica Cistern, not the Tapeki palace. 

Oh well sounded interesting until I realised it was beneath us and there would be you know whats.

Some useful information from Lonely Planet: 

This subterranean structure was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and built in 532. The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature fine carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking, and its cavernous depths make a great retreat on summer days.

It was used to supply water to emperors and rich people. It has been in and out of use over the years and is currently a tourist place. It was stunning and very cool. The water is very clear and people throw coins in the pools. Not sure why..

Stairs, stairs and more stairs

This was very tiring especially after I had a little tiny fall with no injuries.

Time to return to our room and find out what was happening with the knights and the federal election.

Of course it was good news on both fronts!!!!!!

A nice afternoon walk to walk off the excitement. We found a square with many many people until we needed a break.

another mosque, am i allowed to say that?

A side street with a nice water view. I didn't realise we were that close.

And then i saw this sign and knew it was for me. Combination of sea views and lift.

Yes there was a lift and also two sets of stairs. We was conned.  However, the view was not bad.

We had a celebratory pre-dinner drink for Albo and the Knights.

More walking until we returned to the restaurant of the previous night to try their signature dish, a clay pot stew. And it was safe for coeliacs which was good for our last night in Istanbul.

great little restaurant

The clay pot in fire. There is a whole theatre to this which paul has captured on video.

The resultant delicious stew

dessert. I hope to never eat fig with walnut and honey ever again.

At least the tea is nice.

And that is it for Istanbul and Turkey. Tomorrow we fly home to Rome.