After seeing the big site-seeing destinations, we decided to spend a relaxing afternoon atop a site-seeing bus. It was great.
After being in the same part of the city for a couple days, it was refreshing to get out of our little hub and see the rest of Istanbul.
I LOVE audio-guides, mostly for the fact that my kids LOVE them!
As we crossed the Galata Bridge to the other side of Istanbul, we saw fishermen. Not just a few, but the entire length of the bridge was lined with them!
I’m sure some are sold directly to the restaurants, but this fish market we passed must be on the receiving end as well.
We aren’t really seafood eating people. Well, some of us aren’t. But, we did try a lot of other Turkish cuisine while in the city. One night we splurged and ate at a roof-top restaurant with an amazing view of Istanbul.
The Blue Mosque
Bosphorus
This was a night that we encouraged the kids to eat Turkish and not settle for something they always eat. You can see Emma’s reaction to that news. She is definitely our finicky eater. Although she was quite happy with her chicken kabob.
Hagia Sophia
If, on the off-chance, you get hungry between meals, there are a number of street vendors to choose from. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such variety in food carts.
Watermelon
Nuts
Corn on the Cob
Prezels (in a cart)
Pretzels (on the shoulders)
Pretzels (on the head)
We really enjoyed the pretzels, although I think the ultimate winner each day was the ice cream.
I do admit, one day, we were ready for something we were used to and popped into a McDonald’s. Sometimes it’s just nice having something ‘normal’ when everything else around you isn’t.
We set aside our last full day in Istanbul to shop for souvenirs.
You could do this through locals set up on the sidewalks,
as you weed through the rest of the tourist population checking out the wares.
There are also the small street bazaars,
where you can find most things Turkish.
You can even get quite an education on how they make the Turkish rugs, as you get pulled into different rug shops.
The shop owners are always accommodating to families, as they hope for that sale. Our kids loved the freedom they were given to play in the rugs.
But, if you are really going to look for souvenirs, the best place is the Grand Bazaar.
These were my favorite shops to stop in:
The kids each found something to remember our trip by. Cami chose a Turkish yo-yo and the other three chose leather-bound notebooks. I was impressed that when we got back to our flat, they all opened their notebook and declared they were their travel journals. Perfect use for them and I hope they continue to use them on future travels.
Our time in Istanbul was done, but this is not the end of our travels . . . stayed tuned for Bölüm Üç (Part 3).
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