Merhaba means hello in Turkish. We arrived in Istanbul yesterday after a three hour delay in our flight from Marmaris. We were immediately struck at how clean and beautifully planted out this metropolis is. Unlike Athens and Rome which were covered in graffiti, Istanbul is the opposite, clean, green and flowers everywhere.

We get the impression that Turkey is an ecologically sensitive country that's doing a good job of preserving it's natural treasures.

Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople is the largest city of Turkey and has a population of about 13 million. Istanbul is a megacity, as well as the cultural, economic, and financial centre of Turkey. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European and on the Asian sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents.

We are staying at a charming bed and breakfast called Hotel Ada Istanbul, the owners are excellent hosts and this morning we had an incredible breakfast buffet comprising of crepes, eggs, Turkish omlets, cheeses, french toast, fruit, sausages, yogurt, cucumbers, baklava (YUM), turkish teas, coffee, juices and many cold mezze plates. Mezzes are cold plates of beans, vegetables (zucchini, egg plant etc), yogurt, hummus etc. that compliment a meal.

The view from our roof top terrace is simply incredible, taking in the Bosphorus Strait and the Hagia Sophia which is one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basicilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and later converted to a mosque in the 20th century by Mustafa Ataturk.

Today we will explore more of Istanbul and tonight I'll upload some photos. Till then take care and be safe.