Today is our first full day in Istanbul. I had the opportunity to go down to the shores of the Bosphorus for a few shots early in the morning and also get my bearings.
The Bosphorus or Bosporus, is a strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia. The world’s narrowest strait used for international navigation, the Bosphorus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara (which is connected by the Dardanelles to the Aegean Sea, and thereby to the Mediterranean Sea.)
Istanbul is steep in its topography. Be prepared for lots of hills and steps if you come here.
Turkey as a country is amazingly modern with an old world feel to it. There are traditional street sellers, old shops, traffic going in all directions, however, there are modern trams, lots of Automatic Teller Machines in most places, wifi access and smart phones.
Before our trip we were informed by our friend Uncle Pete to make sure not to miss visiting the Bazaar, so our first trip for the day was to visit the Grand Bazaar.
Our accommodation hosts gave us a map of our location and where we are staying is 5 minutes from the Tram stop at the bottom of the hill.
We started off on the wrong tram, however, when we got to the next station it was the end of the line, this meant it then headed in the correct direction. One thing about being in Italy is you have some idea of things by reading the words on signs and kind of translating from experience what they could mean, however, when it comes to Turkish, it’s different again.
We arrived at the Grand Bazaar which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily.
Prior to entering we stopped for a coffee.
When you get inside its a shoppers paradise for just about anything. I was looking for a Turkish “Fez”, the girls were after jewellery and other nic nacs.
I took a few shots inside the bazaar that may give you a little feel for what it is like.
If you don’t like people being in your face trying to sell you their goods and services, then Turkey might not be the type of place you are looking for in a destination, or shopping trip. It started with the cafes before you enter the bazaar.
By the time you enter the Grand Bazaar, they are really in your face, for example, “Sir, let me show a leather jacket that will fit you”, “come into my shop and feel the quality of my cashmere scarfs”, and so it goes. When you tell the shop owners you’re from Australia, they are extra friendly to you.
What it does mean is that they usually can bargain on prices and if all is done well, everyone comes out a winner. There’s no malice, it’s just the way they do business. I love it.
After leaving the bazaar, we headed out to the waterside moving along with the crowd, down the sock street, the underwear street, and the shoe street and so on.
We finally made it to a Turkish Pide house for lunch, Oz Karadeniz. If you ever come to this part of the world be prepared for big meals. If you’re travelling with someone you can share meals with, we suggest you ask the waiter what size the meal will be, you may save a few dollars and not waste food as there is too much for one person. That’s how this lunch was, nice food, too much.
After the girls doing some scarf shopping, (note Keith on guard at the door of scarf shop)
We headed down to the water front, stacks of people here. What was more interesting was the amount of people fishing off the bridges. Either a great past time or they get paid for their catch.
Enjoy the photos, some are of the night before near Taksim Square, today’s shots start from the view of Cunard’s Cruise ship the Queen Victoria.
Chris and Annette
If you get a chance indulge in a visit to the oldest Turkish bath (300 years from memory). You won’t regret it. Enjoy.
Rosemary, may look at that on Tuesday, thanks