On Wednesday (May 14, 2024) we spent another day with our guide, focusing on the relics of the Ottoman Empire – primarily Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Topkapi is a complex of administrative buildings and residence of the Sultans, their families and harems from 15th century until the 19th century. It does not compare to the palaces of Western Europe but it did provide an interesting look at Ottoman royal life. It is now a museum. It was very crowded at the palace. Later I saw in my notes that 6000+ cruise passengers were in port, not to mention hordes of school children that were arriving as we were leaving.
I am excited about a cookbook I bought that was recommended by our guide who happens to be a real foodie. Author Gonul Candas is the Julia Child of Turkish cooking. Its a 500 page hardback book that I now have to carry around.
In the afternoon we visited the Blue Mosque, which was built by Sultan Ahmet in 1616. He became Sultan at age 14 and died at age of 28. It’s a working mosque so we had to remove shoes, wear scarves and cover bare arms (women). First visit to a mosque. It was not as awe inspiring as guide books say. But you gotta check some things off the list.
For lunch we took a ferry across the Bosphorous to Asia. Istanbul is the only country that spans two continents – Europe and Asia. Had a fabulous lunch at a little place in Kadikoy. Ciya Sofrasi serves Anatolian food. Our guide ordered a mix of starters, yogurt soup and some interesting entrees and desserts. Not sure the bill was right but since we didn’t order the food and bill was handwritten…who knows?
Best part of day was the evening. My cousin who is 30 lives in Istanbul. She brought her boyfriend and we wandered the old town and had a nice dinner and caught up on 10 years.
Wandered area around Old Town which is beautiful at night and enhanced by full moon.
