day 7; got another pastry from the cart guy at the bottom of the hill.took ferry to Princes islands, left just before 9; 2 hours by ferry to last stop in islands. did a can can around the ferry with a group of spainish tourists. hired bikes and biked around the island looking for a beach they did not charge you $20 to sit at, each. never got wet.

day 6. got a pastry from the cart guy at the bottom of the hill, warm and with feta inside for 50 cents. took the tram to kasbatas, then walked to Ortakoy in the blazing sun, must have been at least 32 or more. and not sunburnt. supposed to be market an antiques market there. Went to Sale Palace, went to Dolmbache Palace first and the que was 100 people long, so went to Sale and there were 6 people there and we got our own guided tour, for $4. went for a walk at night to see Aigha Sophia and the Blue mosque. walked at least 12 k's.

day 5; Ferry up the bosphorus, almost to the black sea. 2 hours by ferry with a few stops. took the short cut up to the fortress, the Genoese Castle, past all the restaurants, maybe the long cut doesn't feature so many restaurants. great way to see Istanbul, flags and soldiers everywhere. got a pastry from favourite shop and had for dinner. went to the cafe at Tophane and had a pipe and a coffee, sat watching the soccer and playing draughts

day 4; Got a meat pastry from my favourite pastry shop. walked to the blue mosque. walked a long way to the Grand Bazaar and it wasn't as bizzare as we thought it was going to be. becasue we are not buying did not hold same attraction. walked through some dodgey streets on the way to the spice bazaar. dodgey streets means selling guns to anyone, just walk in and but an assault rifle. ends up the spice bazzar does not take 3 hours of walking in a circle to find.

day 3. got a cheese pastry from what is to become my favourite pastry shop. walked to Topkai Palace, there for ages, huge amount of people. some great exhibits. half the exhibits closed. beautiful finery. went to Aighia Sophia, incredible.

day 2. got a pastry from a road side seller, hadn't worked out the system yet. did the hour and a half walk from the guide, took the whole day. went to Taksim square, bus's full of police with machine guns, fish markets full of cats, if the cats don't eat it should we, meandered through the streets, went to a Botero exhibition, walked down the hill to Tophane, also the museum of contemporary art.

day1; flew in, the taxi was late first had a crash. pouring with rain. went for a walk up to Galata Tower, had to use a map all the time. crazy place. No pastrys

day5;