Continued from last Week (Monday 14) - (and 7 Nov)

Friday October 14 was another day at sea. I had breakfast with a large group of all nationalities but the service was exceptionally bad and the meal lasted over two hours. I didn’t complain but the other guests on my table did and things definitely improved over the remaining days. During breakfast I happened to mention to an American lady that my mobile phone was not working. She found that somehow BA had put a block on it during the flight so she found how to correct it and from then onwards I was able to receive and send texts.  I think some of my friends were a little concerned that they could not contact me and I was soon able to re-assure them everything was ok. Vodaphone charges in Turkey were exorbitant so I only sent a few texts.

I went to a talk during the morning on Istanbul and found it very interesting and educational. There was also a food fare on board 12.00 – 2.00 with lots of tasty food to try I had my first Tortilla crammed with hot chilli beef, sour cream and cheese it was truly wonderful and I followed this up with chicken Taco and then fruit kebabs for sweet. I certainly needed a rest after this feast then went to bingo but didn’t win. It was another formal night so we all dressed up again in our best outfits for dinner. The menu was all Italian I had cream of garlic soup for my starter so it was a good job I was sleeping alone, I followed this with lamb shank and had a dreamy raspberry desert which left me absolutely stuffed! I hardly had the energy to have a short spell on the slot machines before retiring to bed as I had an early start the next day.

Saturday morning I woke early to see the lights of Istanbul and take some pictures the scenery was breathtaking. I had arranged to have my breakfast in my cabin for 6.30 as I had to join a pre-booked tour at 8.00.am. After the past good weather we had experienced I was not ready for the deluge of rain in Turkey which to coin a phrase did put a dampener on my visit! A wheel-chair adapted vehicle was waiting at the dock gates and there were just me and an Irish man in wheelchairs with his wife. We had a nice driver and our own guide who gave us a lot of information. I learned that there are thirteen and a half million people in Istanbul. There are 86 Provinces in Turkey Istanbul being one, 40% living in the Asian side and 60% in Istanbul. I learned that Raki is the local alcoholic tipple and the big bridge over to the Asian side is called the Bosporus.  Our guide took us to a 2000 year old Mosque which was so interesting and the mosaic work inside was incredible I took a whole lot of photographs and even found a ginger cat sitting by a large ceramic pot!. We crossed over the Golden Horn Bridge before being taken to a large department store which had about ten steps up to the entrance door. I was soon surrounded by about six strong Turkish gentlemen who proceeded to carry me in my electric chair up the steps. We went into the carpet showroom and were entertained with hot lemon tea which was lovely and learned all about the art of carpet making. Most of the carpets are made by people in their own homes and the quality of their work was perfection. I did buy a very small one to hang on one of my walls to remind me of my Turkish visit when I get home. I also treated myself to an opal ring which has been constantly admired. When I got back to the ship I was so wet and cold I had a hot shower and went to bed till Supper time. Dinner was good as usual and afterwards I