Istanbul, Turkey

After a couple of nights and a full day at sea, we arrived at Istanbul, a city I'm visiting for the first time. I really wanted to do a 12 day land tour of Turkey instead of this cruise but my wife and other frequent travel companions convinced me that it is better to just go on a cruise because it is less physically demanding than a land tour. I know how unpleasant it is to pack and unpack every day and sit on a bus for long hours but you see a lot more of the places you are visiting. I think I'll try solo travel again - it is so liberating and free from the constraint of conveniences.

I've never tried the juice of this fruit yet but I will.

I like seeing the locals in their native dress.

Bread cart open for business





 

An ice cold slice of watermelon on a hot day was a childhood delight.

Roasted corn fresh from the grill is a  hard to beat street food for me.

Inside one of the mosques we visited

Looks yummy!
          

                   

That's my wife leading the way to a souvenir shop!

  

Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and splits Turkey between Asia and Europe.

                                     

Our lunch stop

One of the entrances to the Grand Bazaar

This guy was quick enough to pull his cart out of the way of the ambulance. I wonder why vendors are allowed to ply their trade in this narrow street.

Night shot from our ship

Our ship stayed for two days at this particular stop.