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.