In The Heat of the Day

Staggered off to bed in the early hours after sitting on the steps of a hostel 20 mts down the road. An ex Swede had the foresight to bring out a full bottle of gin and a large amount of tonic. So between about 6 people both bottles expired in a couple of hours. An international group of Koreans, British, Swedish, Turkish and one Canadian who disappeared after two large gins in quick succession. Carl, the Swede, has been running a diving business in the Pacific Islands. Lucky man.

Koreans, Swedish, Turk and Brit (English teacher)

Before, in the evening, the Blue Mosque was almost devoid of tourists so I took the opportunity to take a look. Its unimaginably huge inside with a subtle pervading blueness about it. 

The central dome

Dark blue night sky above the illuminated Blue Mosque

The low level lighting obscures the walls and domes above.

Another event last night was an open air concert in the wide boulevard which runs by the mosque. Only movies of that but there was a full size swing orchestra with a large number of violins doing a lot of that swirling string sound which identifies Turkish music. Oh, and also saw a Dervish whirling. 

Ferries between East and West Istanbul

Bosphorus bridges 

I chose the 'meat ball' on the right side for 12 TL

The food is great

In the heat of the day, and armed with a slight headache, I managed to get to the Topkapi Palace. Not sure it was worth the effort but there are some super views of the Bosphorus. The more palaces, cathedrals, castles and mosques I see, the more it takes to impress me. The Blue one is impressive. 
Love the food here and its marginally cheaper than in most of the places I've been to in the last year. So, once again, bon appetit. D