Istanbul

Yes, the call to prayer bounced me out of bed at 5:45 this morning (3:45 for my poor bodyclock). But I went back to sleep again in no doubt where I was.

Yes, my breakfast was just as predicted yesterday. It was raining, which meant the views of the Bosphorus and the Asian Side weren’t wonderful, but I stuck a shot of it in as an Extra anyway.

Yes, after that I spent an hour gossiping with Doǧan the guesthouse owner. Tourism in the city is “in crisis” as a result of recent events. I could see that for myself immediately once I went out to walk around.

My walk took me as far as the Galata Köprüsü (Galata Bridge) at the Eminönü ferry piers, where the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn meet (or part, depending on how you see these things). I got my Blip there. On the other side of the water you can see the Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower) - a 5th century former prison.

Behind the hill (but out of sight) is Taksim, where most of the protests took place.

In the foreground is one of the vapur ferries which will take you to the Asian side in 20 minutes for 5TL (£1) each way. I was tempted to catch it, but wasn’t sure I had enough time for that trip before heading back to the airport.   

I’m now Blipping from my apartment in Girne in Northern Cyprus after an easy journey again. Turkish Airlines, again... It’s a 90 minute flight.