We started the day early after the hearty breakfast at the Sari Konak. The early morning meant not too many people were out and about when we stepped out of the hotel.
Today was going to be spent in the Sultanahmet area, and we decided to start with the Blue Mosque. The best time to visit is 9am-11am when the sun comes through the stain glass windows and lights up the magnificent interior.
All tourists are expected to use the side entrance to enter the mosque. Footwear must be removed, but plastic bag dispensers are provided at the entrance, so that one can carry ones footwear in one's hand. From then on, the corridor leading inside is carpeted. Women should be dressed modestly and carry a scarf or shawl to cover their heads and men have to ensure that their limbs are covered.The interior of the mosque is truly magnificent. The mosque gets its name from the hundreds of thousands of Iznik tiles that cover just about every exposed surface. There are innumerable windows to allow for natural light. The imam's pulpit is magnificently carved. The mosque has many domes which can best be seen from the courtyard that one enters through. This is the only mosque other than the the one at the holy site of Medina to have 6 minarets in its design, most mosques have 4.
As we emerged into the mid morning sunshine, street vendors such as this chestnut seller had started plying their wares.
We made our way across the Maydani to the Aya Sofya. Once the largest church in Christendom, it was later converted into a mosque and is now a museum. In the gardens outside are stone fragments dating from the BC era. Building materials were bought from all over the country for the Aya Sofya which means that there are numerous little interesting things, such as the four pillars from the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, and this huge marble urn, one of a pair, from Pergamum, situated on either side of the structure. There is also the famous healing aperture in the wall. It is said that at one point of time, holy water steeped through the opening curing all ailments and diseases. Legend is that if you stick your thumb in and are able to rotate your hand completely around, you will be cured of all disease.
The incredible size of the monument overwhelms the mind. Truly a spectacular architectural feat. This is best understood from the upper floor of the museum.
The upper floor is also where one finds the wonderful mosaics. When the church was converted into a mosque, the mosaics and frescoes were plastered over, which have actually enabled them to be protected and restored such as this wonderful panel, and more are likely to be restored in the future. 
This interesting mosaic over the doorway as one exits the structure shows the Aya Sofya on the one hand and the city of Constantinople on the other being offered and consecrated to the Virgin Mary.
Our next stop was located just minutes from the Aya Sofya. The Basilica Cistern dates back many years and was an underground water storing system. There was some feedback that I read that basically said that this was not worth a look, but we enjoyed it. After descending some stairs you come upon this vast underground cavern with numerous pillars, beautifully lit and with traditional music playing in the background. This was the location of the opening sequence of the James Bond movie "To Russia With Love". There is a system of walkways suspended over the reservoir, and these can get quite slippery so one must watch one's step.
The columns that make up the cistern basically were all the bits and bobs that were left over after the construction of the Aya Sofya, and therefore make for an interesting mix. There are Doric, Ionic and Corianthian columns all cheek by jowl. All the way at the back are the 2 famous Medusa heads, of which one has been installed on its side for no apparent reason.
Running parallel to the Maydani is the Hippodrome, site of games and chariot races in ancient times. Today it is lined with verdant gardens which frame ancient monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius dating from 360AD, the Brazen Column, and the Serpentine Column representing the hydra which had golden heads which are not present today. The Obelisk is said to have come from Luxor, but this cannot be verified since the bottom part, which would have shown the pharoah's cartouche, was sheared during transportation. 
Having worked up an appetite we had lunch at the rooftop of Doy Doy restaurant located on a street behind the Blue Mosque. We grew quite used to the chilled glass of Ayran, so much like salted buttermilk, with lunch.
The charming indoor gardens of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art provide a respite from the coaches disgorging huge numbers of tourist tramping down the fabled routes. The Centre has, among other things, a wonderful collection of carpets from all over the Islamic world and is a good place to begin to understand the complexities that go into this unique art form. Well worth a visit, and nice air con to beat the heat.
Late afternoon brings on the iftaar or evening meal to break the fast, in the numerous little stalls lining the Hippodrome. We stopped at one for a tea time snack of gozleme, the savoury pancakes which come with a variety of fillings. Mine was a delicious potato and mint combination, washed down with more ayran.
Back in our room at the Sari konak after a long hard day, just enough time to freshen up for dinner.
After a wonderful dinner of lentil soup and crepes at the Rumeli Cafe, just down the road from the Sultanahmet tram stop. 
