Part 4 of Istanbul: Markets and Bosphorus Cruise

Someone was excited to begin our second day of exploration in Istanbul!

As was I. We were headed to the Grand Bazaar to do some shopping. It was a never-ending maze of tiled, vaulted ceilings and vendors selling their wares.

If I had been on my own or just with Pete, I would have subtly browsed, but avoided any serious interactions as I am a bit fearful of being haggled, harassed and ripped off. Well, with toddler in tow, avoiding interactions was impossible due to the Turkish love of children and Jude's curiosity over all of the items for sale.

Just browsing for some "meows." Stay cats all over the city!

From the Grand Bazaar, we walked to the Spice Market. This was our one big exploration through the city where we got a sense of day to day living.

University of Istanbul

I didn't try them, but the meat sandwiches were a bit hit.  

Balancing water jugs

From the Spice Market, we walked to the waterfront in search of a boat cruise on the Bosphorus. First, we did as the locals and had fish sandwiches, cooked on moored boats. What a job. Cooking fish all day on a rocking boat! Jude and I also had some roasted corn on the cob, a popular street food all over the city.

 Off on the cruise!

I forgot to mention that from the moment Jude saw Oma, he was obsessed. He nearly got a hoarse voice from calling, "OMA!" anytime she was out of sight. If he wanted to be carried, only Oma would do. It was a nice break for me and other than tired arms, I know Oma was happy, too. 

Singing with Oma

Royal palaces along the river

And mosques

And fortresses

And more palaces

At the end of busy day two, we went to a really nice modern Turkish restaurant and feasted before our early morning flight to Greece. Istanbul, we hope to be back one day!

Part 3 of Istanbul: The Blue Mosque

Our final stop of the day was to the Blue Mosque. Still used as an active mosque, we arrived just in time before it was closing again for prayers.

As usual, I was a few paces behind Pete and Jude, snapping pictures, so I missed Jude exclaiming, "Wow!" as he entered the mosque. Wow was right. All of the wires from the ceiling were holding up massive chandeliers, hanging not much higher than head height.

 The lighting was really something.

 More beautiful tile work.

Jude made a friend, who shared his toy. A welcome distraction as Jude was trying desperately to remove my head scarf!

World Peace Ambassadors. Can't we all just get along?

Area reserved for prayer

Once outside, Jude got what he really wanted. To done a headscarf like Oma and I. He was pretty darn cute and the other tourists were loving it! Our travel trooper does it again! Fun filled first day in Istanbul complete!

Part 2 of Istanbul: Topkapi Palace

After lunch in the peaceful courtyard of an arts and crafts center, we were rested enough to tackle big site #2 for the day, the Topkapi Palace. 

Enjoying their Turkish tea

Rolling out layers and layers of phyllo dough so thin!

Once inside the palace, we went straight to the Sultan's Harem where each Sultan lived with all of their concubines. The rooms were exquisite and we spent a lot of time looking up at the domed, tiled ceilings. I hadn't seen tile work like it since the Alhambra, though this was much more extensive and stunning.

Jude is one loved child!

I dream of living in a tiled house and would settle for a tiled bathroom or even a single tiled shower wall! Adding this next picture to my Pinterest Home Inspiration board :)

Courtyard of the Eunuchs

The Imperial Hall

Apartments of the Crowned Prince

"Water!"

Views across to the Galata Tower and neighborhood where we stayed. 

Views across the Bosphorus to the Asian side of Istanbul

"Yeah, that palace is cool, but check out this fire hydrant!!"