Send The Bugger Back

So while waiting to check-in we checked out The Blue Mosque. Most epic and impressive I must say, not as blue as I expected mind.

After that it was The Grand Bazaar. It didn’t do that much for me really but it is worth seeing if only for it’s sheer massiveness.

In my tired and frail state a few treats were needed to keep the energy levels up. I had this really sweet Turkish rice pudding which was gorgeous, it shaln’t be my last of the trip. The other was a little pastry called baklava, also pretty nice.

Hurrah, checked-in. Time to have a go at a day-time kip, something I rarely manage.

I got about an hour, better than nowt I suppose.

The Agora Hostel where I’m staying seems okay, a couple of pros and cons so far. The best bit without a doubt is the great view from the roof garden bar which looks out on to the Bosphorus.

My evening will likely consist of a couple of cheeky beers (and just a couple as they’re none too cheap) up there before a big wedge of sleep that I’m looking forward to immensely.

At the end of the night I was good and even though I was feeling okay I turned in around midnight as the bigger picture was in focus. It was a good night though and I met cool people from the US, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and even my own fair isle. The subtle nargile fumes eased the proceedings.