the first hard lesson of my travels

today was a massive one! woke up at 7 and was out exploring istanbul by 8.45. first stop was the blue mosque, where i had a creepy turkish man show me in and then wait for me at the exit! after i shook him i attempted to find the cistern, upon which time i was accosted by a turkish carpet salesman - who i spent an hour drinking apple tea with! 

eventually managed to make my way through the basilica cistern, it was really beautiful and quite awestruck by the ability of men to create such a structure in the 6th century! 

decided to go on a cruise of the bosporus... realised its never a good idea to go on a boat when jet lagged. suffice to say i fell asleep twenty minutes in, and woke up incredibly incredibly sunburnt all over an hour later! lesson learnt the hard way!!

despite that unfortunate turn of events, i met a group of lovely australian girls at our hostel and went to the grand bazaar with them. absolutely hectic but unfortunately not very cheap, so didn't shop at all! met up with the lovely lucy prowse and have had another great evening. time for bed now as i go to gallipoli first thing in the morning!!