Istanbul, Turkey - Counting cats

The sun is shining but the air is cold and the wind has a winter's edge - it's early March in Istanbul. We wander the narrow alleys of the Grand Bazaar, wake and fall asleep to the muezzins calling Muslims to prayers in the mosques, gaze over the waters of the Bosphorous from Topkapi Palace, scoff hot chestnuts in the square wrapped up in our winter woollies and count the stray cats catching the weak rays of the sun. In Islam cats are revered so the strays are fed and cared for - they can relax. We, on the other hand, can't relax but must get on our bikes and start pedalling south through Turkey. I'm using the word "we" again. You remember I met Bart in New Zealand? (click here) Well, we are together again for more cycling adventures that will hopefully bring us some "Turkish Delight".

Photos from Istanbul on Flickr - click on the link.