homeitalycroatiaistanbul: Cold Turkey

Friday 2nd May 2025

It has been cold in Turkey ever since we arrived, only 14-15 degrees during the day. Thank goodness for puffer jackets. Every second person in turkey is wearing one. What did we ever do without them? In fact, maybe they would make more money selling puffer jackets than carpets. Just a thought.

Later today we are cruising on the Bosphorus River. But first, a morning walk back to the Grand Bazaar.

Today was even busier if that is possible. A very friendly cat screamed at me for attention or food. It got neither unfortunately.

a row of jewellery shops inside the bazaar

and ceramic type shop

The happiest, most fortunate cat I have seen sitting outside his shop.

Nearby mosque

roasted corn and chestnut seller

And then time for our cruise on the river Bosphorus which separates the Asian part of Istanbul from the European side. Crossing the river is moving from one continent to another. We were keen and looked forward to being picked up from our hotel and taken to the boat, do the cruise and back. Or something like that.

A lovely tour guy came to the hotel and suggested to our surprise that we were to walk with him to the shuttle bus which was taking us to the boat. Not far, just a 5-minute walk. NOT FOR ME IT ISNT!!! (everything is 'just a 5-minute walk' but is more like 10–15-minute walk up and down steep inclines!) Of course, we said no worries but thinking where the #$%^ is the taksi (in Turkish).

Off we went down a different street, over wobbly cobble stones, traffic and road works. Definitely took more than 5 minutes. Told you so.

There were only three of us and the driver on the bus until picking up another couple for the drive which was an hour in terrible traffic.

I forgot to take a photo of the boat but took some others to give you an idea.

the wharf

There were only about 20 people on the boat so plenty of room inside which was good as it started to rain. Another tour guy with perfect English and nice sense of humour did the commentary, none of which I can remember.

We were going to cruise down the European side and then come back up the Asian side.

A special mosque built to upstage the sultan's mosques which have 4 minarets. this one has 6.

A palace

A fortress

A bridge

We stopped at Kanlica, on the Asian side to try yoghurt. Yes really. It was nice but had a cottage cheese texture which was interesting.

I forgot to take any photos of the town or its yoghurt. But we did get a nice turkish coffee. All the restaurants appear to have the same cups.

And then interesting buildings on the Asian side which has the most expensive land in Turkey.

This is an expalace now used as a hotel

Boris Johnson's grandfather's house. He was executed for treason. That is why Boris is in England, not Turkey.

A very enjoyable cruise and once disembarked, we were back to the shuttle bus. Unfortunately, traffic in Istanbul on a Friday afternoon is insane and it took more than an hour to get back to our drop off point. These are some photos I took whilst stationary

There are some beautiful buildings and structures in Istanbul reflecting European, Ottoman and Asian influences.

Finally, home and time for dinner. We went to a nearby restaurant that had rejected us last night. They managed to squeeze us in tonight, but it was very full. Obviously, popular. And would you believe the waiter not only understood gluten freeness but said his wife was also Coeliac. Unbelievable.

He confirmed my choices were gluten free and then brought out starters including some for me. Safe at last.

Vine leaves, olives and dip. Bread for Paul, cucumber for me.