Istanbul - Round II

Day one done....

BIG evening with Mr McGrath and the rip off merchants kept coming.. How much for a taxi back to Atakoy Marina? "Don't worry, we get you Mercedes minibus only 350tl...Atakoy Marina long way" (THat's AU175.00) Ferries way to hard this time of night, tired kids, 6 of us, too many for a cab, what's the alternative? Tried to bargain, no dice, we go to where we are to meet the 'Mercedes Mini Bus'. Al speaks to a cabbie while we're waiting. "How much to Atakoy Marina and can you take 6."  "50tl (Aus$25) and yes no problem".
Mercedes arrives as we're loading into the cab, confused look on driver's face... "Bye!" hand gesture. What is it with northern Turkey!

We chilled the following day, hung out with Jarrad as it was to be his last night with us and decided that commuting with the kids to where the action is every day would become a real mission so we moved into the very expensive but very nice Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel, smack in the middle of Sultanhemet ie: "The Action"

Breakfast, mezzies at midday, high tea in the afternoon included. Pool, spa, hammam... would we ever get out of this place and brave the throngs in 36 degree humidity.





Well, we did. We only made two breakfasts, no mezzies and no high teas... highly unusual for us when its all included in a big price!

The main but one of many entrances

First stop the Grand Bazaar.

Could it live up to that name? I would love to have wondered these halls 100 years ago or more for the sheer authenticity although they really have kept it as authentic as possible while catering for this century's tastes.

Goes on for miles in every direction

The bazaar is a huge, labyrinth of colorful, buzzy, deliciousness.

Every shop keeper has his line to lure you in and a well worn 'F-off' face is required. Everything is bargain-able, the quality of goods vary but are generally of a high standard. They will tell you which is the cheap and which is the expensive stuff and why. We even replaced my lost wedding ring. This one comes with some memorable moments too, though quite different from the last.





The end of a long hot interesting day it was time to say goodbye to Jarrad, off to further his tattooing career in Denmark where his work has been featured in their magazines.

It feels like it will be a while before we catch up with him again.... Knock'm dead J-Rad!!