Adventures in Europe: Istanbul, Turkiye

I arrived at Istanbul airport late Saturday, and by the time I checked in at my hotel near Taksim Square it was early Sunday. I slept surprisingly well and was able to enjoy the rest of the morning and afternoon in Istanbul before my flight onward to Ashgabat later this evening.

I started my morning with breakfast and a walk through Taksim Square and down İstiklal Caddesi.

I wanted to a buy an Orhan Pamuk novel, which I found in a bookstore, and then I made my way back to my hotel to shower and check out, but I left my bag there and headed down to the Bosphorus to jump on a ferry. It is simple and costs almost nothing, but riding the ferries on the Bosphorus is one of my favourite things to do in Istanbul! I brought a simit with me to try to feed the seagulls by hand, but I did not succeed in attracting any of them unfortunately. 

I got off in Kadikoy and walked around there enjoying the sights and sounds and smells . . .

. . . before stopping to enjoy baklava and a Turkish coffee.

After enjoying the baklava I jumped on a ferry again and this time went to Eminönü whence I caught the train up to Sultanahmet to see Ayasofya . . .

. . . and the Blue Mosque.

Given my time limitations, I was content to just see their exteriors and enjoy the square briefly (including finding a seagull to feed a piece of simit to by hand) before heading back across the Golden Horn to Taksim, where I sat for a late lunch . . .

. . . and tea.

After lunch I headed back to the hotel to retrieve my bag and head off to the airport. It was a quick visit to Istanbul but I felt I had made the most of it!