Possibly not a view of Istanbul that you would expect, but it
has a thoroughly modern and thriving financial centre just a few miles from the
ancient city centre.
Arriving
TRT now uses a hotel for staff staying short term in
Istanbul called the Grand Star. It replaces the
guest house which has been damaged by last years earthquake.
Me and Asia!
Sunshine and gates
Things to raise your eyebrows at...
The Grand Bazaar. Was this where the idea for shopping
Malls began!?
More amazing scenes inside Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
Aya Sofya was the largest church in Christendom when built
some 14 centuries ago. It's dome was the worlds largest until St. Peters
was built in Rome, 1000 years later. It has been a church for 1000 years
and a mosque for almost 500 before becoming a museum in 1935.
Anyone for a train? This is the end of the line, for Europe.
The Orient express disgorges its elegant passengers here to eat in style
in this atmospheric restaurant on the station. Anyone can eat here, and if
you are in Istanbul, I can recommend it.
down by the waterfront, fishy fast food is being consumed.
