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Up early for.our last day in Istanbul. Straight to the Blue Mosque which was absolutely jammed last night for prayers on the last night of Ramadan. Brilliant interior - very spiritual. Went to the uninterestingly named Mosaic Museum which turned out to be fantastic - the unearthed mosaic floor of a palace built by the Emperor Constantine establishing the Eastern Roman Empire around 300 AD. Brilliant. Then the Hagia Sophia from similar times but then converted to an Islamic Mosque after Constantinople fell to the Ottomans. Went down into the Basilica Cistern ALSO built in Roman times bur only recently restored after being rediscovered. A huge underground water cistern supported by over 300 huge marble columns re-used from all over. Two of the columns supported by huge Medusa heads. There were also many fish swimming down in the cistern. Very cool and really well presented. After that lunch at the Cafe With No Beer (ok it was right beside the Blue Mosque). Took the Hop on Hop off bus tour around Istanbul - both the European and Asian components of the City - the only major city which straddles two continents. Went around Taksim Square where all the demonstrations have been happening. Lots of men hanging around in the parks. And lots of police cooling their heels around the park, waiting to dance. Got off the bus at the next stop for a Starbucks and a wander around the shops on that side of the Golden Horn. Lots of people and good shops. Back on the bus to finish the tour back to the Blue Mosque. Found the Pudding Shop - famous from the movie Midnight Express. Wandered down the streets from the hill toward the harbour again. Great shopping and the shopkeepers had a great sense of humour. Last dinner up the street from the Best Point Hotel. Major traffic jams through the tourist district again due to Ramadan. Tomorrow we fly to Egypt, but not until the afternoon so still time to look around.
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