Day 5 Istanbul, Turkey

 

The cruise terminal at Istanbul with all the tour buses and taxis awaiting their business to arrive.

 

 

Probably the best port of call on the cruise. Not wanting to pay the excessive cruise company tour prices we opted to walk off and use a taxi from the rank at the cruise terminal.
We negotiated a fee of €100 for a 4 hour tour for all 3 of us.
The main places we wanted to visit being the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Haghia Sofia museum and the Basilica Cistern. Not only did we get to see all but our driver, Kemal took us to several places for some panoramic photo opportunities. He even lent us some Turkish Lira so we could get into some of the monuments as not all take the €.

Basilica Cistern

 

the Blue Mosque

 

Asia meets Europe, view of the The Bosphorus Bridge viewed from the Asian side.

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Day 4 Izmir, Turkey

 

After a very choppy night we arrived an hour late in Izmir. All very tired today because of the motion of the ship and the strong winds.
Mum opted to stay on the ship while we went for a walk to stretch our legs a bit.
Lots of peddlers and traders all looking for some business but all we wanted to do was walk a bit.
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Time out in the afternoon……

 

 

 

 

I still have a signal from Greece so will up 2 more pictures. We have just popped down to the Cioccolateria for a cup of Cappuccino while mum has gone for a quick snooze. I think we have tired her out a bit today. Plus tonight is the gala evening which is Costa’s version of a formal night and we don’t want her falling asleep at the table later.
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Day 3, Katakolon, Greece

 

 

Another short stop on our cruise. Presumably because we have so many miles to go to get to Istanbul. The main reason for this stop is to visit the place where the first Olympic games were held but having viewed some photos and the fact it is 38 km away we have opted to have a gentle stroll around the town. We have just bought some postcards which will undoubtedly arrive home after us.
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Venice Cruise Terminal – Typical Costa…..

 

Typical Italian organisation. 2400 passengers to get on the ship and only 4 check in desks. We have been allocated number 19 and the next group to be called along with the other 100 people with the same number.
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