October 14 - Friday

A morning view of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Norm and Dianna had done this before - a ferry boat ride to view the harbor. We hiked down to the waterfront. Movie. It was a bit confusing. We finally found the right ferry and bought tickets ~$4 each for a two hour ride. We barely made the ship. They were pulling the gang plank just as we stepped on.

We sat on top for the good views. It was not crowded but a bit windy. Quite an interesting two hour ride out and back. Another view of Istanbul.
Movie.

When we got back a bathroom break was taken then we entered the Spice Market. Quite a site. Of course everybody wanted to sell us something. It's not unlike the Grand Bazaar.
Movie.
Extras

After exiting we started making our way back to our hotel and looking for a place to eat lunch. Voila we found a place. We were about to enter when a guy nearby said "they don't sell beer there". So we went to his place - "Mr Cook". We sat outside under his awning. Great place! Really good and interesting food. It looked like a Turkish goulash.
Movie.
Extras

I think we took a break before Norm and I headed out for our Turkish Bath. I was concerned that we were a bit late but they didn't seem busy.
   We sat in their reception until called. We were given a package with a black loose fitting bathing suit. Some sandals, shampoo, rinse and a loofah scrubber. We went to the changing room with lockable lockers.
   We changed into our weird bathing suits and went out with great expectations. One of the guys led us into a beautiful white marble room where we were sat down on the marble with a fountain thing between us. They showed us how to use the copper bowls to splash warm water over us for about ten minutes.
   Our masseuses came and picked us up and led us to another area. They proceeded to wash and condition our hair, soap us up and then rubbed us down with the loofahs. He pointed out the amount of skin being rubbed off. Wow! It was quite stimulating.
   I was then led out to a large room with a round raised heated platform and told to lay face down. I can't see very well without my glasses but he did something with a bucket of soapy water and a towel that generated a ton of bubbles. We were buried in at least two feet of bubbles. Then he proceeded to give me a nice massage.
   After that we were led to a room where we were wrapped in towels and laid down on a platform. Tea and juice were served next to us. We didn't know what was expected so after a while we got up and proceeded to get dressed. I think we paid on the way out. Done. An interesting experience.

Pictures of our hotel terrace restaurant area.

I seem to have developed a problem with my right foot. It felt like planters fascilitis. I've had it before years ago. I'm sure it's from walking on the marble floors at the bath even though we had slippers on (or non-slippers).

We started walking out for dinner. I was hobbling. We ended our search for a place by going back to the "Cozy Pub and Restaurant". This time we had the same wine and two pizzas. We entertained the pizza guy again. We all had tea and started home. Quite an eyeful walking in Istanbul in the evening. Norm had an ice cream. We never did have one ourselves.

Not looking forward to morning. The flight is international and leaves at 5:15AM so we have to get up really early and take a shuttle all the way out to the airport.