Since overnighted in Istanbul, we have an opportunity to have the whole day for sightseeing.
After a hearty breakfast in the ship's buffet we are heading off to the Old City center for shopping and lunch.
Since the fastest way to get to the Old City is by taxi, we go to the main road to flag one down.
We discovered from our last trip here we could take the tram but it takes forever because of all the stops. I would rather pay the extra few dollars to take the cab and save time.
We have learned that hailing down cabs in cities in Europe will usually get us a driver that will use the meter.
Once we got in the cab, we struggled with our basic Turkish for the Spice Bazaar and the driver finally understood and away we went.
A few minutes later and 6 TL ($3.00) we were at the Spice Bazaar. We were looking for Turkish coffee which we found at a popular coffee store and we bought a small packet.
Next stop was to find a glass airtight container to store our Greek and Turkish coffees. In the big store we had to use pantomime with the clerk to find the container. After several minutes and false starts I was led to the basement level where I found a suitable glass container.
Next we toured the Spice Bazaar and headed off to walk up the hill to the Grand Bazaar.
The streets were lined with different goods which changed block by block.
For example one set of blocks sold dry goods (material); next block men's clothes; next block underwear, etc. Every so often we would ask someone for the Grand Bazaar and they would point up hill. Eventually we arrived and entered one of the many gates into the Bazaar.
Wandering around we found our landmark which is a cafe in the center. This was a perfect time to stop for a Turkish coffee and baklava.
After a rest we headed into the bazaar and went up and down the aisles window shopping.
An hour later we decided it was lunch time and headed for our favorite restaurant near the Blue Mosque called the Pudding Shop.
http://www.puddingshop.com/history.htm
Food is displayed Hofbrau style where one picks out different entrees and the server puts it on a plate. The food is local, tasty and reasonable. Bonus is a clean bathroom.
We then walked around the plaza by the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque and took pix of St. Sophia.
Not remembering our rule about taxis we found one stopped by the plaza and asked for a ride to the ship terminal and asking if the driver will use the meter. Since the driver says no problem we get in the cab and I kept watching the meter which showed gobbledygook. Arriving at our destination the driver demanded 40 Euros for a 12 TL ride ( $55 for a $6.00 ride). I told him it was worth 12TL and that he cheated us by not using the meter and left 12 TL on the seat and we left.
We boarded the ship in time for a snack in our room before dinner and even had time to go to the Captain's Club lounge for a cocktail.
The ship sailed at 8 pm for Athens. We were topside to view the city and the new bridge during our sail away.
After a hearty breakfast in the ship's buffet we are heading off to the Old City center for shopping and lunch.
Since the fastest way to get to the Old City is by taxi, we go to the main road to flag one down.
We discovered from our last trip here we could take the tram but it takes forever because of all the stops. I would rather pay the extra few dollars to take the cab and save time.
We have learned that hailing down cabs in cities in Europe will usually get us a driver that will use the meter.
Once we got in the cab, we struggled with our basic Turkish for the Spice Bazaar and the driver finally understood and away we went.
A few minutes later and 6 TL ($3.00) we were at the Spice Bazaar. We were looking for Turkish coffee which we found at a popular coffee store and we bought a small packet.
Next stop was to find a glass airtight container to store our Greek and Turkish coffees. In the big store we had to use pantomime with the clerk to find the container. After several minutes and false starts I was led to the basement level where I found a suitable glass container.
Next we toured the Spice Bazaar and headed off to walk up the hill to the Grand Bazaar.
The streets were lined with different goods which changed block by block.
For example one set of blocks sold dry goods (material); next block men's clothes; next block underwear, etc. Every so often we would ask someone for the Grand Bazaar and they would point up hill. Eventually we arrived and entered one of the many gates into the Bazaar.
Wandering around we found our landmark which is a cafe in the center. This was a perfect time to stop for a Turkish coffee and baklava.
After a rest we headed into the bazaar and went up and down the aisles window shopping.
An hour later we decided it was lunch time and headed for our favorite restaurant near the Blue Mosque called the Pudding Shop.
http://www.puddingshop.com/history.htm
Food is displayed Hofbrau style where one picks out different entrees and the server puts it on a plate. The food is local, tasty and reasonable. Bonus is a clean bathroom.
We then walked around the plaza by the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque and took pix of St. Sophia.
Not remembering our rule about taxis we found one stopped by the plaza and asked for a ride to the ship terminal and asking if the driver will use the meter. Since the driver says no problem we get in the cab and I kept watching the meter which showed gobbledygook. Arriving at our destination the driver demanded 40 Euros for a 12 TL ride ( $55 for a $6.00 ride). I told him it was worth 12TL and that he cheated us by not using the meter and left 12 TL on the seat and we left.
We boarded the ship in time for a snack in our room before dinner and even had time to go to the Captain's Club lounge for a cocktail.
The ship sailed at 8 pm for Athens. We were topside to view the city and the new bridge during our sail away.
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