So I’m here – in Istanbul! Woke up far too early this morning, 7.30am!!! Could be the Raki I had last evening ????? Love it.
Flight went very well – passport control a madhouse, no rules what so ever, jungle’s law – airport transport excellent (but involved some waiting).
Hotel’s welcoming, just fantastic – lovely little hotel – with the biggest welcome I ever got on a hotel.
Room perfect – just big enough for me – bathroom spacious and spotless clean.
Dinner????!! A tourist trap – down under the Galata bridge, far too expensive for what we got, but who cares in 10 years’ time. Warm lovely evening, great service and too much bone in the fish. Wine outstanding, great coffee and view priceless.
So bring on my first full day in Istanbul, so far sunshine, 8.20am now; shower time. Nia will be here at 10am, but first breakfast.
“If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
myguiltypleasures 
Reblogged this on Karma's little spanker.
Thanks for the reblog!!!!!
You are welcome 🙂
Oh how brilliant… love the photo and you get to meet Nia,,, that is wonderful…
Nia and I have a fantastic time together – and today we met her husband, what a lovely man. Tomorrow they have a day off from us, but dinner in the evening. Monday back in the race again. What an amazing city.
Have a wonderful time Viveka. So far so good!!!!
Colleen, just woke up to another sunny morning in Istanbul. So far very good. *smile
Today a couple of hours out at sea – then more beautiful history – and more fish for dinner. Life is more than pretty good just now, but my poor feet. *smile Have a lovely Sunday you too.
Poor feet. Happy belly. Grateful eyes! Learned mind. 🙂
Colleen, yes … that was a perfect sum up of our 5 days, so tired … but worth all the pain and soreness. Will do it all again, but not this week. *smile
Poor Nia, she was to tired too … no rest for the wicked.
Hahahahaha, you and your wicked fun self! 🙂 Rest up well Viveka.
Colleen, I went to bed 8pm and woke up 7am today – good I needed that rest …. what a city and it was worth every sore step I took. *smile
😀
Love that quote from Napoleon- I never heard it before 🙂 I know that you’ll be deep into a happy day at this point (and you’ll sleep tonight, early bird!) Hugs to you all!
Jo, this is a city that you will love so much as I do. Nia is the hostess of it. What an amazing woman and today we met her wonderful husband. Don’t want to go home on Tuesday. I hardly sleep in this city. Still excited over being here. To
After Midnight hugs …
Hugs back, darlin 🙂 A shaft of sunlight just punched through the clouds as I read your comment. Happy days and love to Nia!
Good Morning, Sunshine … when I was going to post my replay to you last night – my battery went flat on my netbook. Just had my shower … another sunny day in Istanbul and we are going to start with spending some hours out at sea – then the Blues Mosque – dinner with Nia and her husband out in a fishing village somewhere this evening. Sunny morning hugs.!
Sounds idyllic. Have fun! 🙂
Our days was more like mental … poor Nia, she tried to do everything for us. What a sweetheart she is and her husband.
So happy that everything went well with your flight and first night in Istanbul. I know you will have a wonderful time with Nia. Hugs to you both.
Thanks, Karen – I have a magical time and I just want more and more of this fantastic city. Nia and her husband are amazing and I don’t want to go home on Tuesday morning. Will be back soon. *smile
Have a wonderful time!
Linda, thank you so much … this is pure magic. Not at all what I had expected. What a fantastic city.
Brilliant!
Thanks, Linda !!!!
Cheers to your safe arrival. Jungle at the airport sounds a bit daunting. Hi Nia!
Frank, Istanbul is so much more than what I had expected. Such a magical city, day and night. Yes, the passport control was just like how they drive in the city – mad!!! Have the best guides a tourist could wish, Nia and her husband! The most wonderful and generous people I ever met. Tomorrow 3,5 hours at sea.
I’m running behind on replying to comments, let alone visiting .. but I’ll be visiting the two blogs involved for your vacation updates.
Running behind – don’t worry … there is more to life than trying to catch up with posts from the past.
I’m months behind *smile
You are one behind already. *smile
Yikes!
Love that last photo – is it one of Oscar’s 🙂 ? Have a wonderful day . . . I’m just ‘off’ to Italy to watch the Giro from bed!! Well, tomorrow is Saturday . . .
Eha, yes its Oscar’s shot on Istanbul, came out very good. Have a fantastic time with the most fanastic weather – and amazing guides. Tomorrow Sunday and at sea most of the day. Enjoy your day.
I’m happy it’s turning out so well! Reblogging on Counterpoint.
Mary, thanks for the belog – have a dream time here in the most beautiful and exciting city. Mad drivers on the roads and on the water. So lucky with the weather too. *smile
Pingback: Viveka in Istanbul: “just magical” | Counterpoint
Mary, thanks for the reblog … and for your support.
Have a wonderful time. So glad you get to meet Nia. I know you’ll have a fantastic time.
Maralee, we have a fantastic time together and we are so well looked after by Nia … and today her husband join the race!!! I can’t understand why I haven’t visit Istanbul before. Truly magic.
So lovely that you and Nia met 🙂 let me know when you come to London !
Helen, London was my playground for nearly 20 years, when living in Belfast and Brighton. If Cirque du Soleil comes with a show in January-15 .. that I haven’t already seen – I will be visiting. I will let you know well in time. Would be fantastic to meet up with you.
Nia and I have a fantastic time together, today I met her husband, what a nice man. Had BBQ at their summer house. so spoiled and Istanbul is pure mad magic.
fabulous !
Have a great holiday 🙂
Sarah, I have the holiday of my life just now. What a fantastic city.
Oh that’s good to hear 🙂 Can’t wait for our holiday now!
Where are you going … ??? You know everyday is really a holiday for me – happily retired.
So in August I will go to Vienna and … in September USA.
We’re off to Kos, Greece 🙂 Can’t wait!! That’s great you get to travel so much. I’ll look forward to your photos from those trips!
Greece, one of my favorite spots .. lived 3 months is Athene, 1976. Never been to Kos, but I know it’s a very beautiful island.
I promise loads of images!!!!
I hope to share plenty of photos from Kos too 🙂 It’s a lovely island! Like with all of Greece there’s so much history. I love the people and the pace of life there 🙂
Istanbul is the city of beautiful dreams from your photos – so vivid 😀
Keep having fun!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks, Uru .. my poor feet. I have walked for 2 life times so fare and I have two full days left. Enjoy everything … even the bad driving on streets and sea.
Never seen that many boats in my on one spot at the same time. Istanbul, true magic.
Istanbul must be fantastic. Have always dreamed about going there, but so far haven’t managed. I can feel your excitement. Enjoy your stay!
Otto, this is pure magic – two worlds meet in one city – the beauty and the history, I’m still excited over this city. Everybody say that NYC is a must for everybody – I say Istanbul is a MUST for everybody.
I believe you – and I will make it to Istanbul one day.
Otto, you and your camera will have an unforgettable experience. Don’t wait …
🙂
We were in Istanbul two years ago, a fascinating place, our hotel was not very far from the Golden horn. I had never seen so many tourists in one place, we had a nice time. Thanks, Lakshmi
Thanks, Lakshmi .. yes, Istanbul is a magical melting pot. So much people, but that is okay. We are stay at Peninsula Galata Hotel. A true gem to hotel, the service is just outstanding. Nothing is a problem. So well taken care by my friend and her husband too. Don’t want to go back home yet. *smile. Thanks for your visit.
I just read Nia’s post – great! Have fun, ladies and make the most of your time together! Enjoy Istanbul xo:-)
Thanks, Dia … this is just fantastic – what a city!!!! A bit brutal when it comes so driving on the roads and out at sea, but so friendly and helpful. Wonder why I haven’t visit before, but for sure I will be back.
You have a fantastic Sunday too.
Oooh!! Fabulous night shot of the Yeni Camii!!! You are making me so nostalgic Viveka. Enjoy every minute 🙂
Madhu, Yeni Cami was my seat view during our first dinner in Istanbul, can’t be better than this. I enjoyed every minute and we where so lucky with the weather – only rained during our water tour. Fantastic city. Thank you, Madhu.
Great to hear how travel is soothing ya 🙂
Thanks Pink, that was the view I had from my seat during my first dinner in Istanbul, forget the food – terrible and overpriced, but the view was priceless.
Hahaha… aww… the view is AMAZING
Thanks, there is so much to see and do in Istanbul, one site more beautiful than the last.
What a gorgeous night shot, Viveka. I was reading on Nia’s blog, about your lovely meetings. 🙂 Enjoy your trip.
Nia and her husband, was just amazing – what a hospitality. Had a fantastic time, but 5 days was just right – so tired and my poor feet. I will be back !!!!!!
That night shot was my dinner view during our first evening, can’t start better than this. *smile
Ahhh!!!! Istanbul. My son and his fiancé have talked about having their wedding there. Looking forward to reading about your adventures. Have a great time. Carol
Istanbul, perfect for a wedding – very romantic city, but mad … so many beautiful settings too. Just back a couple of hours ago – had a marvelous time. Have posted some today – a random galleries.
Over 980 images to work through. *smile