Last day in Istanbul

Late on the last night in Istanbul, drying some clothes wet after my swim in the pool, getting ready to fly to Venice. It was allegedly 5 degrees Celsius, but I think more like 22.

It was a fairly relaxing day. It began at the Islamic Arts Museum where the focus was ancient Korans, nomadic and ottoman carpets (Lauren's father is an expert on these), and costumes. This was about a 10 minute walk from our hotel. Morning tea (at noon) being baklava and coffee provided by the tour impromptu. 

We then went through an Orestes Bazaar where I bought a hand embroidered jacket which does need to be lined, followed by a shop selling high end fashion and carpets and jewelry. Sadly, but actually quite luckily, the jacket I really liked was just a bit too small and $650US. He would only come down to $550US, while Esra recommended I suggest $300 as my opening bid. Again it was repurposed hand embroidered silk, and I had already bought one (of much lower quality). So no expensive outlay. 

Inside this shop however, was the main reason we went there. When renovating the site, the owners found two Roman columns lying underground. Experts have determined that the wall underneath is 3rd century Roman. Amphora and other items found on the site are also displayed.

I did enquire into the cost of a small gold necklace with round crystals/stones of different colours. He went away to check 'the code' but probably also today's gold price. It was a cool $22,000US, and thus stayed exactly where it was.

We then ventured into the Grand Bazaar, also only a 10 minute walk from our hotel (we did a bit of a circle around the hotel). This was apparently not too crowded as usual, so it was almost relaxing. But so much gold. Esra said it was truthfully advertised but that bags and clothes etc were all fake. A group of six non-shoppers followed her through and back to our hotel. However, three couples who already demonstrated large wallets, went off by themselves and did not return even for our group dinner. We wonder what they will bring back! They had already bought carpet wall hangings, jewelry and cashmere scarfs. 

We had dinner in the group's favourite cafe just up the street from the hotel. I had a roasted aubergine, walnut and white cheese salad, but also a baklava and some bread. Time just to throw this post one out into the ether before a good night's sleep.