What an amazing, fascinating, dual-personality city is Istanbul.  Parts are very beautiful, the mosques, the nighttime views over the water, the islands.  Other parts are drab and rundown or simply brand new and soulless.  But it's all interesting and it's definitely worth a visit. 

The view from our balcony

The city has a population of about 15 million.  A ferryboat ride along the coast of over two hours only gave us a view of half the skyline.  It is immense.   We stayed in the old city, walking distance to most of the most famous landmarks.  We were just around the corner from the Sultan Ahmed or Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a Greek Orthodox basilica turned mosque now museum.  We walked to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, the Cisterns and Topkapi Palace.  Everyday we ate simits (bagel like bread covered in sesame seeds and sold on every corner) and drank nar (freshly squeezed pomegranate juice - heavenly).

View of Hagia Sophia from the breakfast room of the hotel.

               

We took a boat trip out to the Prince islands, weekend and summer escape locales for city dwellers and a place we want to return to when the weather is warmer.  And we walked and we walked and we walked.

Fishermen at sunset near the Galata bridge.

Lovely waterfront section in upscale neighborhood

Yours truly at the Archeological Museum

View of the Prince islands from the ferry

Much more to write about later but still trying to catch up on my sleep.  The Muezzins woke us at 6:30 every morning for chrissakes!  Considering we were surrounded my mosques it was difficult to roll over and ignore.  xxoo me