Today we were up early and off for the city bus tour. We used the company "City Sightseeing Istanbul". They had bright red buses with open top second levels. After a little negotiation we were off at 10am. Each person has ear pieces to listen to the history of the city in your own language as you travel around.
We crossed the Ataturk Bridge over the Golden Horn. It was Saturday and people lined the bridge in droves fishing. Over the bridge we entered the newer area still on the European part of Istanbul. We wound up the hill and past Taksim Square. The buses travel every 45 mins and it is possible to hop on and off at certain points.
We hopped off at Galata Tower which was built in 1348 as the tallest part of the city walls. It was a really nice area. However, we decided not to go up as it cost heaps and there is a restaurant on top. You could only take an elevator up.
While taking photos of the tower my family were posing not realising that they weren't in it. I thought it better to take one of them as well.
We hopped back on the bus which went back over the bridge and up around the Golden Horn.
Eventually we hopped off near a good section of the old city wall. We had to walk a distance but eventually found a small park near a mosque. A stall owner was very nice and gave our kids some small chewing gum. In this city once you move away from the main tourist areas it can be quite dilapidated. Here is a picture of an inhabited building in the new area.
We hopped back on the bus again, to the end of the tour and made our way back to our accommodation.
Later at 6pm we went to meet the deMellos at their accommodation. As we got closer the building quality changed quickly. I didn't realise there were hotels like this in the old section of the city. Their girls spotted us from away and flagged us in. It was great to speak to kiwis and talk about the old country.
We ate at a nice restaurant and moved on to a bar later. By 9pm we parted ways. Sam and her family were headed back to Abu Dhabi the next day. I think the owner was happy to see us leave as our kids were getting really ratty. I don't know how Sam's girls are so well behaved. All in all the girls all seemed to get on really well, running up and down the street as only kiwi kids can.
It was back to our place which we have come to love. We are in the middle of a residential area and Sue has been invited into locals houses. It may not look like much but it is what I would call authentic.
Later at 6pm we went to meet the deMellos at their accommodation. As we got closer the building quality changed quickly. I didn't realise there were hotels like this in the old section of the city. Their girls spotted us from away and flagged us in. It was great to speak to kiwis and talk about the old country.
We ate at a nice restaurant and moved on to a bar later. By 9pm we parted ways. Sam and her family were headed back to Abu Dhabi the next day. I think the owner was happy to see us leave as our kids were getting really ratty. I don't know how Sam's girls are so well behaved. All in all the girls all seemed to get on really well, running up and down the street as only kiwi kids can.
It was back to our place which we have come to love. We are in the middle of a residential area and Sue has been invited into locals houses. It may not look like much but it is what I would call authentic. 
Hi guys, awesome effort dragging the kids round all those places. Brings back happy memories for Sony and me. Still raining here.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Paul