Day 4 Istanbul

Got back 3:30 am to hostel. most odd mixture of [club] music. Before this we - or at least some of the more 'hard core' went back to the Olivium shopping centre for some more climbing on their wall. All very odd really. So far each day is a bit odd and different, but good. Feet sore. Will probably mooch about Istanbul today. Tonight we drive to Antalya.

[Spent the morning at The Topkapı Palace, the official and primary residence in Istanbul of the Ottoman Sultans, from 1465 to 1853.] Caldarium, tepidarium, frigidarium baths (c16) etc...the Harem was - as promised by colleagues - better than the rest; I have a low boredom threshold, yet quite a lot of the stuff held my attention , mainly the architecture. The old 'black' oil paintings of numerous sultans did not.

Afterwards a poor lunch (probably because place recommended in Lonely Planet guide - probably was good before it got into the guide - like a starred route).

Currently enjoying a double Turkish coffee - medium sweet; need to be back in hostel at 17:00.