Getting to Istanbul is an interesting journey. To get from the Aegean Sea, you go through the Dardanelles (very narrow strait) and then in the Sea of Marmara. Unfortunately, we did this passage at night, but will get to see it when we come back through to get back to Athens. Istanbul is at the entrance of the Bosporus Strait – a very strategic location. It is the only city in the world that is located on two continents - both Asia and Europe.
A few quick facts: 15 million people live in Istanbul, 4% over 65 years old, 65% under 35 years old! 98% are Muslims – but, only a few are fundamentalists. Turkish Muslims are Sunni and secular/peaceful (in contrast to Shia Muslims). It is a city of domes and minarets with more than 135 mosques. One minaret signifies it is a mosque for the common people and just for prayer; more than one minaret means it is a Sultan mosque and is more social as well as prayers. Florence Nightingale tended the sic and wounded on the city’s Asian side during the Crimean War.
We arrived at 1 p.m. and took an afternoon tour. Our first stop was the Spice Market
which sells much more than just spice – fish, clothing, cheeses, handmade crafts, souvenirs, etc. It is rather large and was fun to visit – very colorful.
For my bridge friends, I saw where the game originated. It was in Istanbul on the Galata Bridge where the British guards on watch made up the game to help pass the time away. Because it was invented on a bridge, thus the name of the game!
Our next stop was the Underground Cistern – a 6th century subterranean water reservoir which features a ceiling supported by 336 Corinthian columns.
It is dark and lit only by a few lights, but it is beautiful. There are two columns near the back that have the heads of Medusa at their base – one is on its side, the other upside down. There are different stories about why they are in the Cistern.
We continued for an hour’s cruise on the Bosporus Strait – one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. 
On the shoreline are numerous old traditional wooden Turkish villas, 19th century Ottoman palaces, fishing villages and green hills on both sides. We had a beautiful day for this cruise.
Istanbul is a city that never sleeps, so we took an evening tour to visit one of Istanbul’s finest nightclubs located in the new city in an area called Tunsik. We had Turkish specialties with local wine – rice wrapped in a variety of ways, cheeses, and cheese pastries. It was very good. In addition, we had entertainment of with musicians, belly dancers, and folk dancers. It was great fun!
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