Friday 11th April in Istanbul continued, at the Grand Bazaar

If we had done this trip at the beginning of our tour I would have been in the right frame of mind for the week. I hated it. Crowds are not my thing at all. Added to that every person outside each of the 5000 shops was smoking, despite the No smoking signs inside. It would be a death trap if there was a fire.  Everything smelled of smoke, all the stalls sold the same thing in hundreds of different types.   Full of touts, everyone trying to get you to buy. Perfect setting for pick pockets.  I was very apprehensive about coming on the tour, only that it got us to Anzac Cove and Galliopoli,  however once we were out in the country I was fine, and while ruined out, I did enjoy the tour. But this place, not on any wish list.

For those James Bond film watchers,  Sky -fall was filmed here. Must have been on a Sunday because it isn't open then.  Cudos to our bus driver who negotiated the traffic and narrow streets around the markets.  They are behind the Blue Mosque, and one could step back in time and try to think about the traders of old.

After the Grand Bazaar we visited an upmarket jewelry store, beautiful work, and they get 18% off sale prices reimbursement by the Government, making their goods very competitive.   My new watch is Swiss and quite beautiful.

Then to the Spice Markets, same thing jam packed, not what I expected, spices not good quality so our guide said.  They sell everything and anything including the pots and pans.

Off we went then along the Riverside to a restaurant in the Fish district, for farewell dinner.

Back to our hotel at 9.30pm, to repack, as we left our luggage at the hotel and just took our smaller bags. As we had to leave the hotel at 5.15 am, and be up at 4.00 we were tired.

Glad that our friends were fine with the cyclone but what devastation,  I guess our gardens will get well watered.

Entrance to the Grand Bazaar

Bridge over the Bosporus

The Spice markets