Istanbul, to 9/15/25

 

We did it!  After close to nine hours of trouble-free flying from Dulles to Istanbul, we landed around 5:30am Sunday.  Great plane, bulkhead seats, some sleep, and even good food, twice (must have been hungry!).  A taxi gave us our first look at this huge, sprawling city as he drove us to our hotel.  Old Town Armada Hotel is located in the "historical center," one street removed from the Sea of Marmara and its coastal walkway, and it includes amazing views of the Blue Mosque ... and more!  We ARE excited to be here.

It was obviously too early to check into our hotel, so we did the next best thing:  parked our bags and set out on foot for the water.  The coastal walkway was a stone's throw, the sun and sea air felt refreshing.

Ahırkapı Feneri (lighthouse), still operational,

within walking distance.

Our group leader told us these guys from Old Town are out here every day of the week, in all kind of weather, swimming in the Marmara Sea, playing a dice (?) game, even cooking.  When these behemoth cruise ships sail into a city, anywhere, it's a blessing/curse.  Think of all the revenue generated when the ships disgorge passengers, like opening a fire hose, and then picture street, restaurant and store crowding!

We walked till we were dead on our feet, returned to doze in the hotel lobby and when our room was ready (1 o'clock/ish), we fell onto our bed and slept for two hours.  Rumbling tummies led us to a fish restaurant a block away, where we consumed one ugly dude (Red Gurnard) and I can tell you dinner was delicious.

* * * * *

The next morning, we were up early and on the rooftop terrace for coffee and the Armada's marvelous breakfast buffet.  A lovely, cool morning.  Look how the Blue Mosque glows in the sunrise!

Our OAT tour technically begins tomorrow, so we had a free day to do whatever we chose.  Our group leader is here in the hotel already and he took the two of us and one other couple on a walkabout of Old Town, to get us acquainted with our surroundings.  Old Town is a conglomeration of narrow cobblestone streets interconnecting with dinky alleys and one-lane streets, a regular rabbit warren, most of it thrown together before zoning laws were ever thought of!  Anyhoot, he recommended we visit Istanbul's Archeological Museum.

We passed the Hagia Sophia on our way there.

The streets were flooded with tourists.

We had to track and backtrack a couple of times before we found the entrance -- to the side of Topkapi Palace.  Jimmy stands, above, on the steps.  In the next couple of days our group of 12 will visit all of these places that we've only ever read about.

Inside the museum (a treasure trove of priceless artifacts!), we looked, we gasped, we admired.  I took pictures.  Then I put the camera away.  We roamed from room to room, in awe of all we were seeing -- from the Bronze Age up to fairly recent (as in 100 years), and I realized taking pics was futile.  Too much to try to capture.

The gold, wowzers!

The temperature was mild, mid-70's, but we were thirsty and tired and longing for a nap.  Hence, my powers of observation and note-taking were nil.  (don't sue me)  I don't know what this area above was called.

Kitty cats are everywhere.  They're fed and watered and beloved.  They don't run when people approach, and don't mind being touched or petted.  There doesn't seem to be any problem with them, and the city does not have a rat problem!  Also, surprise -- Istanbul, at least the little we've seen, is clean and not littered, nor is it covered in graffiti.

Niche decorated with peacock (and kitty cat).

And so, we left via this arch, and walked back downhill to our "boutique" hotel, and a very comfortable bed.  I can foresee our fitbits will record 10,000 steps and more on many days.  But first, we need to catch up on sleep (we missed Saturday night).  Tomorrow we'll meet our fellow travelers and begin a full day of OAT adventure.