Today was jam-packed with sightseeing and lots of walking around Istanbul. My feet and back were none the less killing by the time we go back to the hotel at the end of the day.

Started with a beautiful buffet breakkie,stuffed myself so that I was able to roll down the streets of turkey rather then walk.

First stop was the Hippodrome,which was initially used for chariot racing,the original building was built by roman emperor Septimus Severus (Harry Potter?),during the Byzantine period the hippodrome was the civil center for the people. Today the only 3 remaining monuments from the original building are the Egyptian obelisk,the serpentine column (which originally stood 8m tall)and the Constantine column.

Meters away from the hippodrome was the Blue mosque which was our next stop,underwhelmed that it was not in fact blue our tour guide explained it was named this due to the blue mosaic roof inside. Adorned with our blue scarfs to cover our shoulders we went inside. Architecturally it was beautiful,lots of detail and of course blue tiles,although not as blue as I expected.

We then walked across to the Hagia Sophia museum. The Hagia Sophie was probably the largest building on earth,barring the egyptian pyramid or the great wall of china. For many centuries it was the largest church and today it is the 4th largest church the world after St Paul's in London, St Peters in rome and Duomo in Milan. It was originally built for roman Christians but was taken over by the Turks and converted into a mosque. It was used as a church for 916 years,a mosque for 481 years and in 1934 it was made into a museum for general public.

Next we went to Topkapi palace grounds which we could see the Asian side of turkey. Something you probably didn't know turkey is divided by channel of water on side is on the Europe continent and the other on the Asian continent. We didn't bother paying 25 Lyra to get into the palace as it was thunder storming and we had to run to shelter,back to a local artists studio who we payed to write our names in calligraphy.

It had been suggested in our free time we visit the cities basilica cistern which was this incredible structure underneath the city that was built in 6AD to provided water for the people to be able to access,it was probably one of my favourite things I saw all day I couldn't believe this huge area of water with columns and carvings of medusa's head were right underneath where I'd been walking. For a laugh they had a photo station where you could dress up as traditional turkish people and get your photo taken,probably the funniest photo ever,jimbo with his harem.

I had my favourite dinner do far in Istanbul,ash and I shared a vegetarian testi kebap which was this delicious mix of Veges,sauce and spices stewed in a clay vase that they cook in an fire oven. It came out on a tray on fire then they cut/smash the top with a big sword and hey presto dinner is served with rice,salad and fries yummo. Topped off with some lemon shisha.

Off to Gallipoli tomorrow,5 hr bus trip :( but can't wait to see Anzac cove and where my country fought!

Over and out xx