Istanbul Pt.2

First day in Istanbul was very busy! We saw many things and by the end of the day our feet were paying for it. So the next several days we tried to take it a little easier. We explored New Town and Topaki palace, and even fit in a traditional Turkish bath. Extremely interesting by the way!

But more than anything we enjoyed getting to blend in the city. We snuck into little neighborhood cafes for turkish tea, and went on our daily ritual of the Nargile and a good game of backgammon. =) The last day was spent cruising up the Bosphorus strait up to the black sea. Now we can officially say we have stepped foot onto the Asian Continenent. Josh and I LOVED Istanbul and hope to someday get to go back to see much, much, more!

Here are pictures of day 2,3, & 4.....
Day 2

Josh starting off day 2 with some Turkish coffee

New Town 

Walking the streets of New Town

Turkish pancake with spinach and cheese

Fruit Juice stands everywhere

Beautiful view of Istanbul from the Tower

Rice Pudding and Turkish Tea 

Getting ready to enter Topaki Palace 

Topaki Palace 

Day 3

An old Turkish bath house that Josh and I went to

Josh ready for his Turkish bath...his bathing suit makes me laugh! 

this is how they wrap you up after your bath
so that they can serve you tea

the wooden shoes are not easy to walk in!

The beans were AMAZING!

Inside of Hagia Sophia 

Enjoying a beer and this amazing view! 

Day 4

getting ready to head out on the Bosphorus cruise to the Black Sea

Strait opening up to the Black Sea

arrived in Anadolu Kavagi, a fishing village right on the strait,
at the tip of the Black sea...we can officially say we have been to Asia!

fried mussels 

enjoying lunch

lunch

little shopping

of course we spend our last day with a little game of backgammon 

on the ferry back to Istanbul

these are the sounds of the city praying

5 times a day...pretty neat!