LAST BLOG FROM THE 'BUL

BOO HOO yesterday was our last full day here.  sunny and i went into Sultanahmet early to get into Hagia Sophia without queuing, we'd bought our tickets online so that
we could just walk in -  ha ha, how naive, there was a queue to buy tickets of about 1000 people and another queue about the same for people who'd already bought them.  at 9
in the morning before it even opened.  worth the wait though

the queue and the sensible 

street dog who just 

slept through it all

there was an exhibition of calligraphy in hagia sophia,
turkish versions of illuminated manuscripts, beautiful.

everybody's got their cameras pointing at the ceiling (well, ceiling

is a bit of an understatement for the highest unsupported dome in 

the world)   the japanese girls were all taking photos of themselves,

i peeped - mostly face in a cute expression with just a hint of hagia

sophia in the background, they were a treat to watch

first

prize

for

chic

scarf

styling

we walked 
up beside Topkapi Palace along a lovely street of ottoman houses that have been converted into boutique hotels, beautiful wisteria growing  along the side of the footpath.  spring is in full swing here now

The Archeological Museum was next on the list, this strange carving is on the end
of a huge sarcophagus, one of a room full of amazing objects from 3000 BC - takes your breath away to be in
the room and the walls are a deep burgundy with very low lighting so there's an amazing atmosphere there.

BOSPHORUS OH BOSPHORUS

where boats and ships criss cross for us

you glow and shine like phosphorus

spread out down there below

and words are at a loss for us

cos nothing rhymes with bosphorus

to say how much you mean to us

as home to oz we go :0(