Last 3 days in Reverse!

June 19th

Susan here, we are waiting in the airport on the Asian side of Istanbul Turkey after a late night flight that got us here at 5:15am. We were picked up by a guide named Safiye at 8:30am, after about 2 hours of sleep on the plane. We went through various stages of delirium today, and some of the highlights are: Our guide was wonderful, our trasportation was super comfortable, the drive into European Istanbul was eye-opening, the Grand Bazzar and the Spice Market were a hit! 

A picture in our hired car with Tessa and our tour guide, Safiye

The Blue Mosque

In the Blue Mosque. You have to cover your head.

In front of the Blue Mosque

A shot of the three of us in the Church/Mosque Hagia Sophia, which featured slightly in the new Dan Brown book, "Inferno. :)

A picture of the three of us, before entering the Grand Bazzar

A Panoramic view of the Bosphorous

The Blue Mosque was so ornate it was unbelievable, the Agia Sophia, built by Justinian for his wife reminded us of someone who has Bill Gates's money! It was opulent, sturdy, technologically advanced for the 6th century AD, and the history of how it changed hands from Christians, to Muslims to the government of Turkey was fascinating. The underground cisterns dated from Roman times, and were dark and clean and sooo cool on a hot day. We learned so much about the culture from Safiye (sophie) that we all feel we have a greater understanding of Turks, Muslims, and a city filled with history. The cruise on the Bosporus River was icing on the cake!

Cassie has given consent to post this picture only because Tessa begged.

For our last two days in London, we mostly rode on a hop on hop off double decker bus all around town! We got to see everything that we wanted to see, like: Big Ben, The London Eye, London bridge, Picadilly Circus, The Tower of London, The Globe Theater, 221B Baker Street, Trafalgar Square (where the filming of the Doctor Who 50th anniversary took place!), and Buckingham Palace! 

Big Ben

Trafalgar Square - Whovians shoutout!

"Eccleston" Street. Shoutout to my Whovians reading this blog! -Tessa

Street Sign

Baker Street Underground Station

221b Baker Street! Right next to the gift shop and "Hudsons" eatery. Perfect!

Riding the Tube home. It was amazingly busy.

That white building behind us is Shakespeare's Globe theatre

The London Eye

A major eye-catcher on the London Skyline, The Gherkin

Outside the building housing the Crown Jewels. Cassie and I had a sudden urge to steal them.

Burberry!

A photo outside our Hotel on the day of our departure

We had authentic Fish and Chips at a pub, which we agreed were the best we'd ever had

St. James' Pub.

These trips were fantastic, and we can't wait to tell you about Israel!