Unfortunately 9 hours before we were due to fly from Kyrgyzstan to Istanbul Kat got sick with
some form of severe food poisoning. Projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhoea meant that there
was no way she could fly. Unfortunately there was only one seat on any flights which she could
be changed onto. This meant that I had to go on ahead and leave her behind. It also meant that
I got no sleep that night as I had to be up at 2am to fly and had to stay up in order to sort
her new flight. Still one day after me she somehow arrived in a semi-tranced state.
Istanbul was a beautiful place, much more developed than I had thought. Everywhere you are in
the old city you can see Mosques and hear prayer calls. They are also loads of restaurants and
very fresh food. Lots of salads and dry meats etc. There take on a pizza based around a baked
pita is also very nice along with Cacik (Turkish Tzatziki only better) and the fresh light baked
breads. We also consumed our fair share of local donuts, wine, beer, ice cream and freshly squeezed
orange juice.
During our time in Istanbul we visited the palace, all of the major and some of the more minor Mosques,
the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, the spice market and we took a trip over the bridge into
Takism where we rode the old funicular and saw the tram.
Despite us losing a day due to sickness we had seen everything we wanted to in the city. The only other stuff we could have done with more time would have been to leave the city and go to an island or other region nearby. We had enjoyed our time in Istanbul as part of a stopover and recovery on the way back home.
