Last night, we stayed up late to witness the passage through the Dardanelles and past Gallipoli, which we crossed around 3am.

Cruising into Istanbul we saw a few billion jellyfish in the water and from the port we got a great view of the city. Istanbul surprised me with its charm, blending the vibrancy we saw in Dubai with a unique, historical twist. Contrary to my expectations of a dry and dusty city, Istanbul was lush, green, and noticeably cleaner than Athens.

Exploring the city, we visited all the major attractions, including the iconic Blue Mosque, renowned for being the only mosque in the world with six minarets. Our adventure also took us to an oriental rug store, where my taste was apparently exquisite—as the salesman put it—since I was drawn to the most expensive rug in the collection. Perhaps one day, when I’m rich, I’ll return to purchase it (one can dream, right?).

We sampled traditional apple tea, Turkish alcohol with its distinct liquorice flavour, and authentic Turkish delight (far superior to what I’ve had before). We also enjoyed a nice lunch at a local restaurant. Although our ship arrived in port later than scheduled, limiting our time, we made the most of our visit to the bustling Bazaar, mastering the art of bartering. The shopkeepers in Istanbul were persistent but not as aggressive as those in Dubai, making the experience more enjoyable. I found the Turkish people fascinating, with their warm and expressive faces.

With so many incredible sights to see daily, it’s easy to feel a little underwhelmed at times. We often find ourselves saying, “Not another ruin” or “The last mosque had a better ceiling,” but every experience is still remarkable.

The cruise itself is fantastic. They surprised my mum with a birthday cake and decorated our room with balloons and towels shaped like swans, adding a special touch to our journey. The food on board is endless, from four-course dinners to buffet breakfasts, all included. We’re likely to gain a few extra kilos, but it’s worth it!

Now, we are in the beautiful island of Mykonos, and tomorrow we’ll be at sea. I’ll try to get some internet access to upload photos and share more of our adventures.