Off to the Grand Bazaar.

Next day dawned bright and sunny and we spent time admiring the view from the windows of our apartment.

This is the Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque and the Sea of Marmara.

Looking a bit further around towards the fishing boat area in the Sea of Marmara.

Every morning we were woken at six by a the cacophony of the many megaphoned mosques around us. This was the noisiest, just down the road from our bedroom windows.

One of the entrances to The Grand Bazaar.

Inside it is an amazing labyrinthine warren of shops and colour.

It was built in Byzantine times and grew bigger and more diverse during Ottoman times, becoming the centre of trade for the whole Empire.

Here, for Elliot, we bought a chain of felt elephants with the all seeing eyes (to ward off bad spirits).

So colourful.

After lunch we set off to explore the back streets around us. These are old Ottoman houses that have been renovated.

Another.

Not renovated!

Another renovators dream.

Finally we arrived at the fishing port.

There were lots of seafood restaurants and cats love fish. We did share a few restaurants in Turkey with cats. People seem to be quite happy with this custom.

This man doesn't mind.

Seagulls abound round of the shores of the Sea of Marmara.

Pomegranate trolleys selling pomegranate juice also abound in Turkey. It is quite acidic.

The fish market is impressive.

The seafood restaurant street.

More colourful street scenes.

Afternoon tea time and our usual, apple tea for Joy, Americana for Judith and Turkish coffee for Bill. As usual, served with enough sugar to sink a ship.