Istanbul...city of mosques and cats

Istanbul. Although having seen very little of this city of 15 million people, Shanks and I are already moved to descibe it as a city of great beauty. We have confined ourselves to only one part of the old city, Sultanahmet, which is conveniently littered with the main tourist attractions that Istanbul has to offer. As we wend our way through city streets, we catch glimpses of ships afloat on the Sea of Marmara; the miniarets and domes of impressive mosques, even more beautiful at night when they are brightly lit and atmospheric, tower over the buildings around them; an amazing array of carpets and kilims are on display at every second shop-front; glittering jewellery, multicoloured mosaic glass lamps, and intricately worked ceramic tiles, plates and bowls decorate almost every street that we have ambled along. And around every corner, atop every stone wall, under every bench and seat are cats of every colour and description!

Our time here is short...we fly to Tel Aviv on Sunday at 2:30pm. But we will be back, I am sure of it.