Day 36 Istanbul

Day 36 – Istanbul – Wednesday 20/6/12

Weather – Fine and Sunny 30C - 31C

Sunrise – 5.32am

Sunset – 8.40pm

Time difference - minus 7 hours ex Sydney.

Oh my dear Constantinople, what a treasure you are !!!

Ashore in Istanbul today, we were amazed by the incredible architecture and elaborate designs that greeted us. Today was all we could have hoped for. We had intentionally not planned anything for today, just go,see and do what we felt. The early arrival due to missing Mykonos meant we were off the ship well before 8am.

We elected to walk off the port, out through the gates, turned right and walked in the general direction of Taksim Square where we knew there was a Hop On-Hop Off bus. A walk of about 3km up side streets, some of which were 90 degrees steep I am sure. It was a really interesting start to our visit, and we are so glad we did that. Unbeknown to us, we were later to find out that if we had turned left at the port gates we would have discovered a HO-HO stop just there !! :)

We stopped in at Starbucks for the obligatory attempt at free WiFi , which they had, but we could not figure out the logon process – so sorry kiddies, the photos will have to wait for a bit longer (: We also opted for the ATM to get some local cash, probably not the best rate, with fees, but hey it was quick and easy.

We got the HO-HO bus as planned at Taksim Sq, and we were treated to the most glorious overview of this delightful city. We saw all the must see points of interest over a few hours, and got off the bus back at the port, and climbed straight on the local shuttle that went up to the Grand Bazaar. We could have walked there from the Blue Mosque, but in the interests of nursing the newly healed foot, took the soft option.

The first stop after getting off the shuttle was a cafe/restaurant, as we were starving. Options aplenty, but we selected one pretty quickly. We shared a Turkish meal , the name of which I have forgotten, but basically a chicken meat , blended with rice, and a side salad. It was very nice and hit the spot, and charged us for an attack on the Grand Bazaar.

The Grand Bazaar is the largest covered market in the world. It boasts over 4,000 shops, and has its own school, mosque, post office, banks and police station. You just weave your way through a maze of shops, stalls and stands. Wall to wall people, sights, sounds and atmosphere on steroids.

We took a refreshment stop at another cafe, for a yummy iced coffee/chocolate (Turkish of course), and this amazing giant cookie, the size of a bread plate. It had molten choc put on it, topped with banana slices, and choc drops. I should have got the name of it, as it was just divine.

Our usual burn off of remaining leftover local currency at stores near the shuttle meeting point, and again back at the port, and called out port visit to a close. On board for a refreshing swim, and reflection on our visit to a wonderful clean and friendly city. This one is going in the book for a return visit for sure.