After our busy Wednesday we had managed to cover most of the bases in terms of what we wanted to see so we were able to slow things down a bit for our last two days in Istanbul. First we visited the mausoleums of the Sultans and saw firsthand the results of the fratricide practiced by the Sultans when ascending the throne. Lisa was not impressed and was particularly disappointed with Mehmet III who had nineteen of his brothers and half brothers strangled upon becoming Sultan! Witness all the turbans on little sarcophagi.
We then visited the Topkapi museum which although wonderful was cheek to jowl crowded with visitors and a bit like an assembly line as people shuffled by each exhibit. Still it was not to be missed, particularly for the Topkapi dagger and other wonderful jewels of the Ottoman days. After Topkapi we lunched once more at our favourite meatballs place and then spent the afternoon relaxing and playing Carcasonne back at our hotel. In the evening, we embarked on a little walk to the Sulimanye Mosque and spent a wonderful hour and a half at the 550 year old Sulimanye Hamam enjoying the full Turkish bath experience. An absolute must for anyone who visits Istanbul!
The next day we paid another visit to the Grand Bazaar and found the antique section. Christos managed to restrain himself and did not buy a thing other than tea for two!
We lingered over a lovely lunch of arugula salad, manti (a wonderful Turkish pasta) and chicken while watching the tourists and denizens of Istanbul go by. Of particula note was the mussel seller, very popular with the locals but not something for our squeamish stomachs!
After lunch it was time to say goodbye to Evil Ctos ("Etos") using the time honoured tradition of the straight razor shave; what an experience!
From sudsing up, the close shave of the razor, burning cotton (for ear hairs?), a full face wash in alcohol and the face massage it was well worth the 10 Lira (6 bucks), including tip, that was paid!
For our final dinner it was off to a local fish restaurant for more Manti, lamb (for Christos) and swordfish (for Lisa). How yummy it was!
One thing we have really noticed about Istanbul is that it is a cat city. The streets are filled with them and while we doubt many live in houses, the locals seem to love them. Food and water is often put out for these street beasts and unlike North American cats, the local cats have real "cattitude", not moving for humans and simply fixing them with a stare that seems to say "this is my house".
After dinner, we went for one final walk between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Lisa was a bit overcome with the beauty of it all ...
We then visited the Topkapi museum which although wonderful was cheek to jowl crowded with visitors and a bit like an assembly line as people shuffled by each exhibit. Still it was not to be missed, particularly for the Topkapi dagger and other wonderful jewels of the Ottoman days. After Topkapi we lunched once more at our favourite meatballs place and then spent the afternoon relaxing and playing Carcasonne back at our hotel. In the evening, we embarked on a little walk to the Sulimanye Mosque and spent a wonderful hour and a half at the 550 year old Sulimanye Hamam enjoying the full Turkish bath experience. An absolute must for anyone who visits Istanbul!
The next day we paid another visit to the Grand Bazaar and found the antique section. Christos managed to restrain himself and did not buy a thing other than tea for two!
We lingered over a lovely lunch of arugula salad, manti (a wonderful Turkish pasta) and chicken while watching the tourists and denizens of Istanbul go by. Of particula note was the mussel seller, very popular with the locals but not something for our squeamish stomachs!
After lunch it was time to say goodbye to Evil Ctos ("Etos") using the time honoured tradition of the straight razor shave; what an experience! 
From sudsing up, the close shave of the razor, burning cotton (for ear hairs?), a full face wash in alcohol and the face massage it was well worth the 10 Lira (6 bucks), including tip, that was paid!
For our final dinner it was off to a local fish restaurant for more Manti, lamb (for Christos) and swordfish (for Lisa). How yummy it was!
One thing we have really noticed about Istanbul is that it is a cat city. The streets are filled with them and while we doubt many live in houses, the locals seem to love them. Food and water is often put out for these street beasts and unlike North American cats, the local cats have real "cattitude", not moving for humans and simply fixing them with a stare that seems to say "this is my house".
After dinner, we went for one final walk between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Lisa was a bit overcome with the beauty of it all ...
Is the mosque blue or is it turquoise?
ReplyDeleteLamb & swordfish! Damn, sounds yummy
Cheers,
Davey