"I Love Turkey!"

That's what I heard Colleen say to me tonight as we made our way back to our hotel after a long but thrilling day of exploring Istanbul. You have to know how relieved I am to hear this from her since she was very hesitant to join me on this trip. She was, to say the least a bit nervous about coming here. You know how some places seem just like such a foreign place - places that we don't hear about everyday - places that are of different culture and so far away? It's understandable to be apprehensive. I'm just so glad that she followed her heart and pressed on. She is glad that she came already and she has not even visited any of the seven churches yet!

We started our day by meeting our guide in the lobby of our hotel. The day's agenda? A walking tour of Istanbul. There is so much to see here. So much history! We visited first the Topkapi Palace then the Basilica Cistern. After the Cistern we went to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and then finally the Grand Bazaar. We walked a lot. I recommend tennis shoes for sure - and WOW what fascinating places! We learned so much today I am still absorbing it all. That's all I'll say for now, I want you to come here and see it for yourself. My words certainly cannot do this awesome place justice.

The hotel where you'll be staying here in Istanbul is a quaint "boutique" hotel. It has a great roof top restaurant where you will enjoy breakfast and dinner. With the glassed walls of the restaurant everyone has a wonderful view of the city and of the Bospheros.

Tomorrow we finish our touring in Istanbul, then fly to Izmir in the evening, just as you will. I am curious what Izmir has in store for us.

Here are some pictures of our day today...

Here I am in one of the many courtyards at Topkapi Palace.

As Colleen and I explored Topkapi Palace we turned the corner and walked out to this amazing view of the Bospheros. It was very unexpected and took our breath away. These Sultans really had it made when they lived here!

Istanbul is a very busy place!

Here's a picture of the Blue Mosque. It wasn't prayer time, so we got to go in and look around. It was really interesting.

Here's a picture of the Grand Bazaar. It just went on and on and on... It was a very high energy place and you can find just about anything you're looking there!

Another big day tomorrow! I can't wait!

Kim