#EWBC: Istanbul – photos around the city, esp The Grand Bazaar

 Spices 

Have had a quiet time in Istanbul chilling out after the rigours of the EWBC and the post-trip to Georgia. In part because, like some others on the trip, I have had a mildish version of Uncle Joe Stalin's revenge, so have been reluctant to venture too far from our hotel. But we have been out and about including a visit to the Grand Bazaar on Saturday. 

 Dried fruits 

Bought some teas here. See selection below

Grand Bazaar: one of the entrances

 Entrance to Bazaar in more detail (above and below)

 Movember in the Bazaar

 Lamps

 Inside the Bazaar

 Small man being playfully wrestled by stall holder

 

 Stall offering special 'Chilli for Moter in Law'

Aker Café near our Innova Hotel making brilliant bread (below)

#EWBC: Istanbul – some photos: 16th November

 Crossing the Bosphorus from Harem to Sirkeci 

Our flight from Tbilisi yesterday was in by around 6.30am but it was closer to 7.30am by the time we had collected luggage and got a taxi to get us into Istanbul. Initially traffic was light but close to the bridge across from the Asian side to the European it became gridlocked. Fortunately our taxi driver wisely suggested that we take the ferry across the Bosphorus, which we duly did with the added bonus of a ferry ride on a bright, sunny morning. There was plenty of ferry traffic but nothing like as congested as the road.   

 Gulls following the ferry

 Maiden's Tower (above and below)

Ferries and cruise ships (above and below)

•••

View out to the Sea of Marmara

from our room at the Innova Hotel, Sultanahmet, Istanbul

(above and below)