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We've arrived at our first destination Istanbul, Turkey. After we landed at Istanbul airport, we caught a bus into Taksim Square which we were told would only take an hour. However we arrived during rush hour traffic, never have we seen traffic like this before, think it may have something to do with there being no traffic lights. The only traffic system they seem to have is their horn. We then caught a taxi from Taksim square to our hotel - even the taxi driver said 'Istanbul has traffic problem'. By the time we arrived it was beer-oclock, the local beer Efes went down a treat with a lamb shish and mixed meze.
The next day we went to the Blue Mosque we didn't go in as Shannene was a bit concerned about wearing a t-shirt and shorts (there was a sign saying women should wear long skirts and head scarves) too much flesh on show. So we decided to wander through the labyrinthine which is the Grand Bazaar, several kilometers of lanes and alleys selling all sorts from gold jewellery to leather handbags with shopkeepers trying to lure you in to buy their wares. We managed to come out unscathed.
That evening we went back to the Blue Mosque (Shannene had more clothes on), which was a good move as it was pretty empty. Entry was free but Guy seemed to acquire a 'guide' on the way in. He spoke better German than English, so in very broken English he attempted to explain the history of the Blue Mosque. At the end of the 'tour' he managed to squeeze into the conversation that his Mother's Father's Brother's cousin had a leather jacket store but we graciously declined,bartered the 'tour guide' fee and made our exit.
The next day we took in the Topkapi Palace and wandered around the Spice Bazaar. Tomorrow we have a 6 hour bus trip ahead of us, travelling down to Canakkale where we plan to visit Gallipoli and Troy. Not looking forward to the bus trip, we have one pack of cards to entertain us and we only know one card game - last card. It's going to be a long old trip.
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