We started off at 9 am today so we had a chance to rest a little more. Visited Hagia Sophia which started as a Christian church from the 3rd century to the 14th century. It was one of the largest and finest in Christendom. It was cover with mosaic depicting Bible scenes. After Constantinople (later Istanbul) fell to the turks, the walls of the church were white washed and the church was converted to a mosque. Four minarets and flying buttresses (to prop up the huge dome) were added. Later it was turned into a museum. The place was body to body. Six cruise ships were in the harbor--many diverted from their Egypt stops. Had lunch near the harbor. Visited the spice market (bought whole nutmeg and whole cloves). Went for a hour and a half cruise in the Golden Horn in the Bosphorus--up the European side and down the Asian side. Finished the day with a hour and a half in the Grand Bazaar--hundreds of shops selling many of the same things -shawls, tee shirts, jewelry, etc. It was amazing to me how many shops would take either Turkish lira, Euros, or dollars or a combination or a credit card. Tonight was our farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant. A lovely dinner to end our tour of Greece and Turkey. Tomorrow we all head home.
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