Today was the last of our tour-type activities.
We had the same start as yesterday including the bus ride over the sea and back again to first visit the Spice Bazaar, which was quite interesting and colorful to see. There wasn’t just spices there,but souvenir items, scarves, jewelry, etc.
Istanbul - Spice Bazaar08-Apr-2013 11:08, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.7, 11.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 160
Istanbul - Spice Bazaar08-Apr-2013 11:11, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 125
Istanbul - Spice Bazaar08-Apr-2013 11:16, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.4, 7.9mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 160
After that, we got on a boat for our half-day Bosphorus cruise, which means about 1.5 hours on the boat. Sadly, the weather was not great – in fact, the worst we have had since we arrived that we had to be out in. So, although the cruise could have been quite beautiful, it was just okay.
Istanbul - Bosophorus Cruise08-Apr-2013 12:44, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.6, 9.4mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
Istanbul - Bosophorus Cruise (Bosphorus Bridge)08-Apr-2013 12:48, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Istanbul - Bosophorus Cruise (forts on both sides of the sea)08-Apr-2013 13:07, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 100
Istanbul - Bosophorus Cruise (most expensive house in the world...)08-Apr-2013 13:10, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 4.1, 15.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 125
Istanbul - Bosophorus Cruise (2nd bridge)08-Apr-2013 13:09, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.8, 12.6mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
Our tour ended with a drop off near the Grand Bazaar since it was closed yesterday.So, after a quick warm-up coffee at Starbucks, we explored the bazaar. For some reason,I expected it to be very chaotic and with stalls everywhere, but in fact, there are lots of small shops and it was fairly organized. People weren’t even that aggressive to try to sell us things, so that was a surprise.
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar08-Apr-2013 14:48, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 100
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar08-Apr-2013 14:55, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 200
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar08-Apr-2013 14:56, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 160
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar08-Apr-2013 15:12, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.4, 7.9mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar (snack time)08-Apr-2013 16:01, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 125
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar (happy with our snacks)08-Apr-2013 16:04, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 200
After a few quick purchases, we had lunch at one of the shops and then meandered our way back to the hotel.
I had a Turkish hammam treatment and massage, which I had been dying to have since we got here. It was rather expensive for what it was, but it was still relaxing and a nice change. I need to have another one when I get back….
Istanbul - Turkish Hammam in the Prince Hotel (massage area)08-Apr-2013 17:43, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.5 sec, ISO 400
Istanbul - Turkish Hammam in the Prince Hotel (cooling off area after sauna)08-Apr-2013 17:43, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.625 sec, ISO 400
Istanbul - Turkish Hammam in the Prince Hotel08-Apr-2013 17:44, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 1 sec, ISO 800
Istanbul - Turkish Hammam in the Prince Hotel (bath area)08-Apr-2013 17:44, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 1 sec, ISO 800
Istanbul - Turkish Hammam in the Prince Hotel (bath area with nice warm stone marble)08-Apr-2013 17:44, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 1 sec, ISO 640
Istanbul - Turkish Hammam in the Prince Hotel (resting area)08-Apr-2013 17:45, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 1 sec, ISO 500
We went back to Istiklal Street for dinner at The House Cafe. We road the tram again and then got on the second oldest and shortest ‘subway’ ever.It was quite fun for an experience. π
Istanbul - Second oldest subway and the shortest "Tunel"08-Apr-2013 20:25, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.2 sec, ISO 400
Istanbul - Second oldest subway and the shortest "Tunel"08-Apr-2013 20:24, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.25 sec, ISO 400
Istanbul - Second oldest subway and the shortest "Tunel"08-Apr-2013 20:24, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 400
Istanbul - The House Cafe08-Apr-2013 18:54, Apple iPad mini, 2.4, 2.18mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 1000
Istanbul - Lovely dinner at the House Cafe started with a tradtional soup (yogurt, mint and cumin)08-Apr-2013 21:04, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 400
Istanbul - Lovely dinner at the House Cafe followed by a delicious salad with quinoa, walnuts and more! YUM!08-Apr-2013 21:18, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.2 sec, ISO 400
Now, we are back for an early night in to relax. Tomorrow is a free day, so we will relax and return to explore Istiklal street more in the daytime. π
I am actually looking forward to going home in a day as the weather is starting to get to me and I need to just relax in my own space….
– T π
