We sailed over night from Mykonos and arrived back in Istanbul at 2pm as we had the next three days we stayed on the ship enjoying the first sun we had for a week. David was very glad to be getting off the ship and not having dinner in the dining room so we had a casual dinner from the buffet where it was very quiet and we didn't have to wait to be waited on. We planned to go to the show but met some very friendly Aussies and an English couple David had talked to previously. It was a warm night so we enjoyed sitting out on the back deck watching Istanbul's lights.
There was a very long wait to get off the ship and go through customs we were taken to our hotel but couldn't check in so we enjoyed a stroll around streets we had become familiar with. We visited the spice market which has an amazing aroma coming from all the spices. Stall after stall filled with spices, nuts, cheeses, teas, Turkish delight and then the souvenir stalls. We came out into the street and wandered around all the winding streets with shops selling an amazing variety of clothing, linen, shoes, bags, jeans, electronics and each one repeated again and again. Not sure how you would find the same one twice. We ventured onto the tram with all the locals, 4 lira for a token and you deposit it as you go onto the station and that covers any trip.
We started early to avoid crowds at Hagia Sophia and by the time we were leaving at 11am it was very busy.
We decided to walk up Galatea Tower but too many people to wait in line to go for a view. We enjoyed a pide for lunch and then walked along the Main Street that lead up to Taksim Square the scene of many recent demonstrations. We then walked to Damachbe palace and were luck y to catch the last tour of the day.
Saturday was very quiet and we found out it was a four day religious holiday and The Grand Baazar would be closed for the next 4 days.