Prague and the Vitava River. In flood when last we were here.

Finally after what felt like an eternity we have arrived in Prague. The stopover sleeps in Bangkok and Istanbul were only about 4 hours each but made an enormous difference to how we felt after finally clearing immigration. Good enough that we will do it again.

Bangkok airport is massive. We finally found where we could shower and sleep in the airport without going through immigration but they make the most of your desperation. For $189 AUD we were permitted a shower each (down the hall), 6 hours room hire, and a ‘snack’ for breakfast. So we were up and ready to fly at 4 am for an 8 am flight.

Nothing quite like a deserted airport at 4 am.

You just know you are in Thailand.

Felt pretty good boarding Turkish Airlines for Istanbul. Another 10 hours and an all day flight had us arriving about 2.30 pm still feeling reasonably alive. We hadn’t booked accomodation but we had booked a free tour of the old part of town, the original Constantinople.

So sorted out the motel and joined the tour. They claimed it included a 5km walk. They lied. It was much longer. It turned out to be a reasonably good tour for free and gave us the opportunity to have a quick look at old Istanbul. It is a city of massive contrasts, trying desperately to be in the first world while struggling to cater to the needs of the 20 million population. The free tour is a promotion to try to increase tourism.

Some of the better old accomodation. The city is almost all apartment living.

Mosques everywhere. It is easy to forget what a strong Muslim country Turkey is.

Cobblestone streets and eager vendors vying for your attention.

In the Grand Bazaar market hall.

Specialising in gaudy.

And some gold.

Magnificent ceiling.

An extremely persuasive lad making and selling gelato.

What is left of the trading centre and inn, final stop on the Silk Road.

A compact little number.

After a somewhat dodgy free dinner of beef sausage we had some time to explore the Blue Mosque. This is a spectacular complex which can cater for 65,000 worshipers. While not as luxurious and gifted as other churches I expect to visit this trip, this mosque has a quiet elegance that engenders respect and admiration.

Feet washing facilities for worshipers.

We finally get to our motel out near the airport and what do we find across the road? Another mosque.

And so to Prague, a short 2 hour flight. We have 4 days to explore this magnificent city, some say the most beautiful in all of Europe.

I will leave you with just a few images from Prague. Many more to come.

David & Collette

You gotta love a pink building.

Learning to surf in the river.