Day 3 - First Efes in Istanbul

OK - there needs to be a beer in the day somewhere - but its a surprise angle today.

So - off we set for the big city this morning. After walking 2.5km to the nearest metro-bus station in 33 deg and as much humidity as Singapore, we were a sweaty heap.

(We could have caught a minibus to the metro-bus but, since we are bike-less, gym-less and pool-less this week we have decided to walk as much as we can. Stupid week to choose with the soaring temperatures here just now ! Oh - and other news - we are on a semi-detox. Not had more than 2 beers each day and only eating 2 meals, with the odd baklava in-between.)

We managed to get ourselves on the metro-bus, 2 stops and then a shift to the metro-tram, all the way to central Istanbul. So we now consider ourselves expert on the public transport here. Pretty good achievement since everything is written only in Turkish, and the metro map consists of about 5 different types of transport with no explanation of what to look for.

Went straight to Tourist information where there wasn't a leaflet in sight - until we asked for them when they proudly pulled several out from under the counter - I guess it stops damn tourists stealing them all ! The information people were pretty useless actually - we really have to learn Turkish ! - so we left no wiser that we entered. We did see a load of mosques when we started walking though. A picture of the New Mosque below - its only 500 years old !

Walked and walked and ended up in the Eastern Spice Market - which was jammed full of spices (funny that) and Turkish Delight. Whetted the appetite so we stopped for my daily dose of Khave (Turkish coffee) and some baklava. No pictures as we ate it all before we thought to take a photo. 

We've been to Istanbul before, done the main sights already - Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Basilica Cistern, etc - and weren't really in a touristy mood. Far too hot. So we found a pub instead. And - we couldn't believe this - it was the very pub we went to the first time we were here in 2009 - The Port Shield (note the tartan carpet). This was the place where we tasted our very first Efes in Istanbul. So it had to be done !!! Just the ONE though because we are on a semi-detox after all

After spending an hour over one pint in an air conditioned pub, we realised we had to brave the elements again. By this time it was 36 deg outside. What better than an open top bus tour? This one did have a tarpaulin roof which, after 1.5 hours in the blazing sun - Paul likened to being inside a hot tent ! The bus tour was good - but we won't be doing it again - visitors you are on your own with that one ! We did get to go over the Bosphorous Bridge to Asia though - that was pretty cool (well, really hot actually as there was a traffic jam. And on the way back the driver went so fast in the bus lane that Paul donated his baseball cap to the sea below).

Then it was back for food in a rip-off restaurant near the Port Shield pub - called the Cappadocia. I wanted proper Turkish food. Disappointing as the meze was the most bland we have ever tasted. Had far better in the Nargile in Aberdeen. Only redeemed by the wonderful taste on the mixed grill (lots of lamb of course) and healthy salad. 

Then it was back on the tram - which was packed in rush-hour. And it really is a free-for-all at that time. I had to shoulder a man out of the way just to get off at our stop ! Then the 2.5km walk home (with a stop at Starbucks - which really doesn't taste the same after my new found Khave) and back to the apartment.

A quiet night in watching "The World's End" (thanks Netflix) and having a cup of tea, and here we are. Oh - I did manage to do a load of washing but still no sign of a clothes airer - so the living room looks like a Chinese laundry. 

And - believe this - we've split one can of Efes and that's us done for the day. I tried to persuade Paul to open the other one but having none of it :-(

Tomorrow hopefully brings another round of apartment hunting. We are seriously hoping there are plenty to view as we suspect that Yesilkoy may be running out of choices to suit our needs. Fingers crossed ! Otherwise we have to re-visit our list of "must-haves".

PS - thanks for all the support we are receiving on this blog. It seems a lot of you are enjoying it. No pressure on me to keep writing then !