My last few days have been spent in the enchanting city of Istanbul - the city where Asia and Europe meet. I have heard so many travel writers claim that Istanbul is their favourite city and it is not hard to understand why. The city should be approached in terms of a small country, there are that many different areas and regions to explore. 4 days is no where near enough time to see even a small part of it. This stunning photo is of the Blue Mosque - such a magnificent building and the decor inside is breathtaking. The name comes from the delicate blue tiles that cover the inside walls. Opposite the Blue Mosque is the Aya Sophia - it was once a church, then a mosque - now it is a museum. The
dome inside is the largest unsupported dome in the world. You stand underneath, looking up, wondering why it doesn't fall on your head. For many centuries Istanbul (nee Constantinople) was the centre of the Ottoman Empire. Apart from the Blue Mosque there are many more reminders of this once oppulent empire. The largest of these has to be Topkapi Palace. As well as the many rooms, including throne room, library, great halls, breakfasting pavillion, kitchens, circumcision room (yes you read correctly) and various living residences there is also a treasury and a harem. Harem actually means private and it was for all intents and purporses a closed city within the palace. The Sultan could ave up to 400 concubines in there with the 15 current favourites taking precedence. Their main goal was to produce a male heir to the Sultan. The mother of the Sultan was the most important woman. When a new Sultan was throned all his other half brothers of which there could be hundreds would be murdered. This was later abolished to the half brothers beeing locked up in a cage for their entire lives. Live at the palace was not fun! It was all in fighting and murder. Extremely few Sultans died of natural causes. The treasury is still home to some of Turkey's most precious treasures. Within I saw jewel encrusted pendants, bowls , plates, thrones, chainmail, arrow quivers. The famous Topkapi dagger is breathtaking as is the 86 carat diamond (the 
fifth largest in the world). This was originally found on a rubbish dump by a beggar and sold on for the princely sum of 3 spoons! The weirdest treasure is the arm of St John the Baptish encased is a gold glove and his skull encased in a solid gold skull case! You may remember I have seen other parts of John at the Ummayyad Mosque in Damascas.
dome inside is the largest unsupported dome in the world. You stand underneath, looking up, wondering why it doesn't fall on your head. For many centuries Istanbul (nee Constantinople) was the centre of the Ottoman Empire. Apart from the Blue Mosque there are many more reminders of this once oppulent empire. The largest of these has to be Topkapi Palace. As well as the many rooms, including throne room, library, great halls, breakfasting pavillion, kitchens, circumcision room (yes you read correctly) and various living residences there is also a treasury and a harem. Harem actually means private and it was for all intents and purporses a closed city within the palace. The Sultan could ave up to 400 concubines in there with the 15 current favourites taking precedence. Their main goal was to produce a male heir to the Sultan. The mother of the Sultan was the most important woman. When a new Sultan was throned all his other half brothers of which there could be hundreds would be murdered. This was later abolished to the half brothers beeing locked up in a cage for their entire lives. Live at the palace was not fun! It was all in fighting and murder. Extremely few Sultans died of natural causes. The treasury is still home to some of Turkey's most precious treasures. Within I saw jewel encrusted pendants, bowls , plates, thrones, chainmail, arrow quivers. The famous Topkapi dagger is breathtaking as is the 86 carat diamond (the 
fifth largest in the world). This was originally found on a rubbish dump by a beggar and sold on for the princely sum of 3 spoons! The weirdest treasure is the arm of St John the Baptish encased is a gold glove and his skull encased in a solid gold skull case! You may remember I have seen other parts of John at the Ummayyad Mosque in Damascas. No trip to Istanbul woud be complete without visiting the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. I've visited a number of bazaars now and to be truthful these are not a patch on the ones in Damascas. But you cannot come to Istanbul without visiting the Grand Bazaar. Even if I wanted to I could not buy a simgle item more. Tomorrow I start making my way through Eastern Europe and already I cannot pick up all my luggage. I wonder if tht has anything to do with the silk carpet, ceremics, perfume and art work I have already bought. One thing is for sure, I will be alot stronger by the time I get home. Istanbul has been a fantastic city and I will certainly be back here one day!
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