We stayed at Premium Inn Gatwick the night before leaving forTurkey. Worked out very well as the car drop off was next door and we could walk 100 metres or so to the Terminal the next morning.

We flew Turkish Air to Istanbul. It took just under 3 1/2 hours. Best airline meal we have had for a while.

Then to Istanbul. As Australians we have to pay US$60 each for a visa. Three times more than most people pay but apparently it is because we charge Turkish visitors a heap as well. So stop it Australia. Payment is only accepted in US dollars or Euros (not Turkish Lira )?

So, queue for visa, queue for Customs, and collect luggage. But it didn't take as long as at Heathrow.

Then to buy an Istanbulkaart for transport. But first to get some lira. Catch the Metro, then the tram, and then only the hotel to find. All done and then we could have a short wander as by now it is 7pm. We are in the old city area, Sultanahmet, and the streets are busy but there is lots to see.

As we looked at the Blue Mosque, we gave in to the restaurant owner encouraging us to enter his premises. We didn't want a large meal, so enjoyed a small meze plate and a drink. As we were about to leave the owner said we must stay and watch the Traditional Kebap Ceremony. Testi Kebab is a dish where meat and vegetables are cooked for three hours or so in a clay jug covered with clay. The pot is then broken at the table. Lots of ceremony was involved for the French group who had ordered the dish.

I think we are going to enjoy Istanbul.