Mediterranean last minute discount cruises self-help diary - first Istanbul

Mediterranean last minute discount cruisess self-help diary - first meeting at 2 o \'clock this afternoon, by Swiss Istanbul aviation flight to Istanbul. Through formalities is very simple, need only landing visa, each charge $20. In visa window, officials see money no, just accept money seal. Through after finding an ATM machine, remove 200 lire soil currency. Banks and change of foreign currency exchange rates are relatively low, will receive poundage. So we this travel only from ATM card and take foreign currency, such rate is best. Online presentation said, from the airport to both private and take the subway and trams very convenient. Airport halls can direct subway station. According to the online instruction, we soon subway station, subway fares 1.25 liras. On the subway was filled, but not very crowded. Looking at full car Turkish people we truly feel the body in a foreign land. They used to see the differentiation of the eye inspected us silently. When we get off, someone motioned to us in the direction of the door. Istanbul airport in the city to the west of the city. Take the subway to ZEYTINBURNU stop. A subway station, down the stairs namely is trams platform, is beginning port. Fare is 1.25 liras. Streetcars automatically stops in Turkish name. Turkish is pinyin writing, we can guess ahead the station. Though not rush hours, but the person has very much. To stand, because the person is too much, we XiaBuQu car. Sit after a station. O.k. far away. Hence take a map to passers-by inquired. Passer-by despite the language, but all enthusiastic directions. Ask several times in the rocks, we find the road dragging luggage hotel. Hotel receptionist said has no room, let us to another hotel room, guarantee the quality are the same. The hotel is in our Orbitz. Com booking, three star classes. Just in time to catch Orbitz sent $50 discount, the final prices day less than thirty dollars. In old living in such a hotel, should be a bang for the buck. We suspect these chain hotels in the same hotel do signboard, such as guests arrive later, then sent them to other hotel. Although we are not very happy, but in a foreign country, plus the language barrier, and want to see again. The second hotel far away, waiters put our luggage to a new hotel. The baggage up to your room, she found the house is small, the toilet also far less than the photos clean. Hence again come downstairs find manager on duty, he immediately gave us change a room. This time we have gained experience, request first take a look at the house. Go up a see, is two houses an apartment, toilet also clean. Approval. The waiter is a thin boy, is honest appearance, running up and down to help us with the luggage. We gave him some tips. The hotel elevator is small, can allow two men and a piece of luggage. But stairs are to use very fine marble, a little civilized flavor. To Istanbul first impression: a strange and friendly, strangers and honest. Look at the time was early, we walk. Hotel in both private and distance main attractions only five minutes walk. Old building is not high, mainly small shops, hotels and dwellings. There are many small, sell along the tourist souvenirs, carpet. Go into the streets saw old palace walls. Then along the wall is straight Sofia cathedral. The guide book said church we closed at four thirty. We used to ask, answer 7 p.m. to close the door. The guide book information nor accurate. Tickets can pay 10 lire, credit card. Turkey, nearly all of the park tickets can use credit card payments, and many developed European cities don\'t accept credit CARDS. Then the tourists have many. Holy Sophia in Greek is the wisdom of Italy, the church was built in by Constantine the great 325 A.D. the. At the Vatican, before the st. Peter\'s cathedral built this church is the world\'s largest church. Church using Byzantine architecture style. Its main characteristic is a towering dome with huge sacred heaven performance. Appearance spectacular solemn, inside. Stop supine zhanquan tall, See previous generations, visitors leave relics of a dynasty is hard to avoid jiangshan generation of xing sighing. In the 15th century, the Ottoman compromised Constantinople. Large quantities of civilians in Sofia cathedral shelter, they took bronze large lock, hope to receive god\'s protection. The army\'s break after the gate, according to the slave market price for the crowd separated, of no value to the elderly and some baby was killed on the spot. After the Ottoman empire will cathedral, tear down all instead of mosque Christian statue, put on the wall murals all Byzantium with mortar cover, paint with the islamic styles of decoration. And built around four islamic styles of worship watchtower. When there is opening into the museum, part of the Byzantine mural after be resurrected. But we see some mortar peeling place, under the Mosaic painting destroyed, so many frescoes already unable to recover. The church hall deserted, because islamic culture oppose any idol, so there is no statue. Only a few blocks with bronzing big brands, write the Koran. The church of cylindrical, very big, it is said that these pillars from ivy Gunnar solskjaer one of the seven wonders of the ancient temple of Yosemite o thought female shipped. Here, Christian culture establishment in prehistoric culture, islamic culture establishment in Christ culture. In people understand tolerance other civilizations, before the establishment of new culture is destroyed and the old culture is cost.