Istanbazaars!

Today we struck out to the Grand Bazaar, and another mosque - along with loads of other people, as we found when we got there. Not like the bazaars and souks I have seen in the past, but more like an enormous shopping mall with lots of carpet and jewelry shops!

Escaping from there, we found ourselves away from the tourist trail in a part of town where Istanbullus shop and eat and work - well the menfolk anyway, as women were very noticeable by their absence. We did get some very tasty whitebait from a street cafe, and then wandered around side streets until we came to the back of the Blue Mosque - and another bazaar!

After a pit stop for a beer and a bit more browsing in shops, we repaired back to the hotel and read for a bit (=dozed off in my case) before going for a swim and a session in the jacuzzi in the basement facilities. Such a hard life! Su is now downstairs quaffing a glass of wine, and I'll join her shortly.

Tomorrow (our last full day in Istanbul) we set off in yet another direction...