Day 1: At long last - we're here!

A photo just to prove we're here, the Blue Mosque in the background

Hard to believe that only yesterday we were farewelling loved ones at Tullamarine and here we are, 2 countries, countless time zones and a dozen airline meals later in Istanbul. After a quick refresh at the hotel we headed off on a cruise of the Bosphorous - shining sun, amazing scenery and the blue, sparkling waters of the Marmara Sea. The call to prayer reminds us we have much to discover, with mosques dotted among apartments on the hills surrounding the waterway.

 

We are off on an orientation tour this afternoon and will report back tomorrow with more news of Istanbul and a good night's sleep under our belts. Until then, Güle güle (Good bye!)

Laura and Tegan relaxing
on the beautiful Bosphorus

This one's especially
 for Bayley's grandmother,
taken inside the Hagia Sophia  

Yes, that IS a medieval fortress we're gliding past

Passing Ataturk's yacht, the Savarona, a gift
to him in 1938 from a grateful nation.