Istanbul ’17 | Day 2: Straight Through the Strait

23rd July ’17. Day 2 of 9.

Our day began with a stroll through Sultanahmet; past the fountain between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, flowers everywhere, lush green grass occupied by sleeping stray dogs, bustling sweetcorn and bagel carts, and tourists taking selfies in the brilliant sun.

Today we discovered a great place to eat just next to the Blue Mosque, with beautiful outdoor seating and no pouncing salesmen. Yesterday’s experience at a local cafe was disappointing; extortionately priced snack-sized portions of basic food – we’d been hounded into it by an eager waiter on the street. But here, our food faith in Istanbul may have been restored. Atmosphere? Great service? Food worth the prices? Check, check, check.

We then took the tram to Eminonu which is located on the banks of the Bosphorus, heaving with people either fishing, catching a ferry or shopping. The tram dropped us off on a main road full of shops and restaurants, and on the other side, the Egyptian Spice Bazar. We already briefly visited Grand Bazar in Sultanahmet, and Spice Bazar seems to be the significantly cheaper version of it. We found ceramics, clothes, jewellery and of course, spices – and down the road, a man selling Turkish Delight for 5 Lira that we’d seen selling in Grand Bazar for 25!

After a while browsing the market, we toyed with the idea of a tour – as soon as we’d thought it, a man selling ferry tours of the Bosphorus appeared waving some leaflets in our face, said something about 1.5 hours and 15 Lira, and we were sold. 20 minutes later, we cruised through the Bosphorus in the dazzling sun, admiring the view and the riverside buildings, the breeze brushing softly against us, the crispness of the air filling our lungs.