View from the Breakfast Terrace

I started my morning off with this great view of the Blue Mosque while eating breakfast.

The Walls of Constantinople

I was picked up at my hotel to go on a Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul’s Egyptian Bazaar tour. We passed the Walls of Constantinople, a series of defensive walls built by Constantine the Great for the new capital of the Roman Empire. A restoration project is under way to restore the fortifications.

The Walls of Constantinople

More of the Walls of Constantinople.

Driving Around Istanbul

Not all the buildings in Istanbul are attractive.

Driving Around Istanbul

More of Istanbul.

Driving Around Istanbul

Advertisement on a wall.

Driving Around Istanbul

More of the advertisement.

Driving Around Istanbul

The old.

Driving Around Istanbul

The old, but not nearly as old as other buildings, and the new.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar

There were three of us on the tour plus our tour guide. My tour mates were a couple from Argentina. Our first stop was at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. Construction was begun in 1597 and was completed in 1664. It originally was a marketplace for goods being brought in from Egypt.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar

Inside the Spice Bazaar.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar

Many spices for sale.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar

Vendors were also selling sweets, dried fruits, nuts, souvenirs, lamps, jewelry, etc. I put my photos of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/egyptian–spice–market/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Turkey, “Egyptian Spice Bazaar”).

Bosphorus Cruise

The next part of our tour was a Bosphorus Cruise. A couple from France now joined our tour. I had seen the Bosphorus at night last night and now I would see it during the day. Our boat left the same ferry dock that my night cruise had left––from near the Mecidiye Mosque.

Bosphorus Cruise

The Bosphorus Strait separates the European part of Istanbul from the Asian part. Along the Bosphorus are old palaces, old forts, and old and new villas. Photo: A partial view of European Istanbul from the Bosphorus.

Bosphorus Cruise

The  Faith Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the second bridge other than the Bosphorus Bridge from Europe to Asia.

Bosphorus Cruise

The Rumeli Fortress (The Fortress of Europe) built by Mehmet II in 1452. This fortress and one across it on the Asian side controlled the passage to the Black Sea.

Bosphorus Cruise

Villas on the European side.

Bosphorus Cruise

Villas on the Asian side.

Bosphorus Cruise

The Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side. I have put my photos of the Bosphorus cruise on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/bosphorus–cruise/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Turkey, “Bosphorus Cruise”).

Lunch

Our hotel served free snacks, which I ate for lunch. I added the sweets I had in a doggy bag from yesterday to that. Coffee was available at all times and wine was free at night. Very nice.

Turkish Night Food Tour

I was picked up at my hotel in the early evening by my tour guide for the Turkish Night Food Tour, a really fun tour. It started in Taksim Square, as did my food and culture tour yesterday, and we walked down the pedestrian street Istiklal Caddesi. There were three of us on this tour, another American woman and me and our tour guide.

Turkish Night Food Tour

First stop was at the Simit Sarayi for simits––a sesame seed–coated bread with a soft center.

Turkish Night Food Tour

Next stop was at the Oflular Kiraathanes, a meeting room and cafe, for Turkish tea and a game of Okey.

Turkish Night Food Tour

Next stop was at Ocakbasi, for a dinner of kebobs, sauces, and pita bread. Also for a shot of rakia, a liquor with a 40% alcohol content.

Turkish Night Food Tour

Walking along a back street.

Turkish Night Food Tour

On the street, a stop for fried lamb intestines.

Turkish Night Food Tour

Our next stop was at the Cite de Pera for bread, humus, and a yogurt mix. Also, a glass of wine.

Turkish Night Food Tour

Next stop was at Cumhuriyet for tripe soup in which was added vinegar, garlic, and chili powder.

Turkish Night Food Tour

Our last stop was at a Turkish cafe for Turkish coffee.

I put my photos of the Turkish Night Food Tour on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/turkish–night–food–tour–istanbul/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Turkey, “Turkish Night Food Tour, Istanbul”).