July 9 Istanbul Turkey

Another lazy day, life is tough!

Wandered around some of the streets outside the Grand Bazaar. Very narrow, long and seemingly endless. You can find anything you may want. Areas seem to be divided up into specialties. Men's shirts, dresses, underwear, suits, hardware. Each of them with several stores selling exactly the same thing. I do not know how they make a living although there was a lot of people around. Stopped for one last Turkish coffee before leaving. I forgot to say no sugar but it still tasted great.

Down street from rooftop.  Hotel on right

Went for dinner at a roof top restaurant. Amazing view of Aya Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Bosperous. Very nice as the sun went down. We had beef with tomato, onion and mushrooms cooked in a clay pot. The waiter makes a big process out of opening the pot at the table. It tasted great. Almost like a lightly spiced stew but without the gravy.

Although only here for 4 days this is an amazing city. Despite all the carpet salesmen giving you a bad time you have not bought a carpet. Add to that the restaurant guys trying to get you to sit down. The best was last night walking back to hotel with an ice cream one guy asked where his was! They do seem to have some fun with it.


July 8 Istanbul, Turkey

Up early but a lazy day. Lots of coffee and relaxing.

Exciting things today! Took some laundry in and got my hair cut.

Walked in a huge park near the palace. Very nice as what breezy and shaded.
The a short walk to the Grand Bazaar. Great time to go as the shops were closing so not that busy, but the shop keepers were still persistent! Ended up having dinner at a restaurant near the Aya Sophia. Once again the park is full as it is Ramadan and the fasting ends about 8.30. All the restaurants are getting ready to be

busy - tables set with appetizers and plates ready with rice, vegetables, and salad on them. All the need to do is put some meat on the plate. They need to feed a lot of people in a very short time.
Ice cream again, for desert!

It is getting worse! Yesterday I got told that my "train had left the station", today Gillian is my daughter! The traveling must be hard on me than I thought! lol Oh well, it does not really matter.

July 7 Istanbul, Turkey

A very lazy start to the day! No schedule is such a treat. Finally hit the pavement about 11!

Walked over to the Blue Mosque. Another amazing place. Wandered through the Mosque's bazaar and found a Mosaic Museum. The mosaics are so detailed. 40,000 squares to the square metre! Some of the colours and the detail is really something.

Spice Market

Had a very long relaxing lunch in a small restaurant near the bazaar. Had to be cheap as none of us had much money! Chicken doner (donair) was excellent and reasonably priced.
Back to the room for a rest - another treat!

And then to the Whirling Dervish show. These guys spin for about 20 or 30 minutes and enter into a trance. It is a religion which apparently still follows the Koran.

fountain with Blue Mosque in background

Dinner of kabob in a small place just out side of the theatre. As usual the food was excellent! We were there just
at the fast for Ramadan was being broken. Very interesting as the people ordered their food and had it sitting in front of them, just waiting for the call to prayers so they could eat.

Back to the main square for a look. 9.30 pm and still lots of people around. Huge fountain in front of the Blue Mosque. Amazing to see all the people and activity.