22 Jun 2011

ISTANBUL DAY 7

The weather was again like out of a fairy tale, so we decided to visit the Grand Bazar in Istambul. It is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 4000 shops ! It also houses two mosques, two hamams, four fountains, and multiple restaurants and cafes. The whole complex consists of 12 major buildings and has 22 doors. Don't think that we made 4000 shops !

We walked down there it was not too hot yet and we entered door 7 which was the closest one. And there you are in another world. The architecture of the buildings is beautiful and the painted ceilings real artworks. Each wing has another decoration. The shops are side by side. We window shopped and also bought some little gifts which I can't name here because of our families ! The time flew by and at a moment we were tired sat down in a cute little corner surrounded by fake bushes (!) and had a delicious apple tea. This tea is so good you really taste the fresh apples. It is the National drink and is offered to guests.

Then we continued and walked through some other wings, until we had enough. We asked for door 7 to get out, impossible not to get lost in there !





The inside of the Grand Bazar



and Dominique entering a shop



a fountain in the middle of all these different streets



We had lunch in "our" little café before we returned back by tram. On the picture above you see a Grandma with her little granddaughter.Even with a scarf women too smoke !!

BTW we noticed that there are lots of women working just like in our Western world, there are police women, bankers, Hotel Managers etc. Women had already the right to vote in the 50 the, when we still were far behind.

We were too tired and it was too hot to walk up the hill.



These trams are very modern and comfortable !

Yesterday I had troubles with Google I couldn't access my gmail account and my blogs had disappeared. After two hours of not ladylike behaving I finally managed to get my account back and Google in Turkish !! Which was Greek to me. I followed my instinct and clicked on all kind of words and suddenly I saw "English" clicked again and had a readable Google back and a nervous breakdown.

Today Internet is slow but it works !

The rest of the day we spent on our roof beach and I had a delicious trout






The view on the roof by night !

9 comments:

  1. Wow. The view of the pool at night is spectacular! The grand bazaar is a shopper's paradise but the thought of all that walking has made me tired.
    I'm glad you managed to overcome your nervous breakdown and blog about Day 7! ;)

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  2. Okay, my friend, I have decided you're having entirely too much fun and you should return home immediately before you become completely spoiled by all the good weather, luxury and excitement. :o)
    Love the pictures of the roof at night. What a life! Too bad about Google giving you a nervous breakdown, however.
    Take care of yourself!
    Luv — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  3. Great images of Istanbul - both daytime and nighttime. I would love to visit there sometime. Turkey has a really interesting history and mix of cultures.

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  4. Unfortunately I couldn't see the photos for some reason, which might be a good thing, since it sounds as if you're having a blast!

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  5. I would love to be lost in that market and then drink apple tea, I am becoming too envious.
    Do you really have a room in the hotel or do you just stay on the'roof with a view'???

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  6. Bonjour sweet Gattina,
    ahhhh lots of brilliant souvenirs in that store! wow I would be crazy to buying cool things there!
    And the train is really beautiful and modern.
    Thanks for sharing these pictures, I'm really enchanted and girl...you have wonderful weather there, here is so awful, in Luxembourg is terrible today, about the rain!
    Enjoy!
    Hugs
    Léia

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  7. lol goes to show how much we love our google. lol
    the shopping looks great there and the views are so pretty.
    :)

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  8. The Grand Bazaar certainly is grand! I was there as well! I love your nighttime pictures!

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  9. Fantastic! I would want to be with you two! The grand bazaar! And the swimmingpool on the roof! What a trip! Chanceuses!

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