Mount Aratat & the Wonders of Turkey Expedition Dispatch
August 12, 2013 – Some Photos of Our First Day in Istanbul
A special thanks to Dennis Comfort and Micheline Thibodeau for taking these amazing pictures.
Dennis relaxing in the hotel after arriving in Istanbul
Charles Martin and daughter Susan listening to the team orientation
Micheline, Jean Pierre and Valentine ready to go exploring Istanbul
Carolyn and the Beluga Vodka she bought. It is one of the world’s best Vodka’s and not available for purchase in many places.
Jean Pierre decided to get a haircut at the barber shop right beside the hotel.
Since everyone arrived fairly early in the day we decided to make a visit to the Spice Bazaar. Here is a photo of the Yeni Mosque (also known as New Mosque) that was right beside the spice Bazaar.
Left: Charles outside the Spice Bazaar; Right: Carolyn outside the Spice Bazaar
Left: Leeches that are sold along the side of the road…anybody interested?
Right: Inside the Spice Bazaar
The Spice Bazaar is filled with so many different spices the whole place is vibrant.
Spices are not the only thing you can find in the Spice Bazaar, there are many shops with beautiful clothing, fabrics and home décor.
One thing we have enjoyed seeing around Istanbul is the assortment of treats and desserts, like the Baklava seen here.
We even found a shop along the road that only sells chocolate…yum!
The shopping in the Spice Bazaar is endless! So many different interesting Turkish items to choose from.
The streets of Istanbul are a great place to spend a summer afternoon.
Even along the streets we found places to shop.
The group met together on the rooftop of our hotel for a quick briefing after a great day of exploring Istanbul.
We met as the sun was going down over Istanbul.
Roxanne and Clayton enjoying a wonderful evening in Istanbul
Micheline and Jean Pierre had both arrived one day before the rest of the group. While everyone decided to go to bed Micheline and Jean Pierre decided to experience a little bit of Turkish nightlife.
They found this gentleman at the side of the road making freshly squeezed juice.
Micheline and Jean Pierre in front of the Independence Monument that is in the center of Taksim Square, a symbol of the Turkish Republic and where many come to have their voices heard and where many of the protests this year have taken place.