The Golden Horn of Istanbul.

Another perfect day in Istanbul ending in this beautiful sunset over the Golden Horn with the minarets of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum on the skyline. (Press L for large minarets and seagull).The 2 palaces, the Topkapi and the Dolmabahçe, were superb visits despite the volume of tourists again. The modern Dolmabahçe has a chandelier of 4 and a half tons in it and it is said to be a gift from Queen Victoria but our guide told us (in an aside) that they have recently found the receipt for £8,000 which means it was not a gift at all!! We have mastered the various modes of transport: sea bus, tram and dolmush mini bus so are feeling like cosmopolitan travellers now. Off to Ephesus tomorrow - see you there!

Did you notice the horrible streaks and the return of the black spot on my photos, I could cry! New camera needed!