The Grand Bazaar

This place is mind boggling. 3500 shops. Help! By this time of day, Janet and I are wiped out and the footsies are woofing big time! You name it, it’s probably here. You definitely will not lack for Turkish Delights (candy). I think every store in Turkey sells this stuff!

I will say so far everybody has been quite nice to us. No sense of Turkey’s ongoing war against Syria - no seeming irritation with the USA - so that’s nice to see. So far our tour guide hasn’t discussed that, but I would think it will come up.

This group is a bit different than others we’ve been on. Not bad, but quite a few people of foreign origin who tend to stick together. Met a very nice girl (Amanda) from Atlanta. She ate dinner with us the first night and has been a pleasure to be around. This is her 5th Gate1 trip. Traveling on her own.

Went out and had a small cafeteria meal eating typical Turkish food (great rice pudding at the end). Then wandered back to the hotel, had a couple of Turkish coffees and now am trying to finish this when my bod is saying no way! It’s hard to keep all of this up when you’re seeing so many things in one day.

Tomorrow’s itinerary:

DAY 4, Saturday - Anzac Cemetery, Travel to Canakkale
This morning, enjoy a short briefing and a picture stop at the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior made of blue tiles. Continue with a drive to the town of Gallipoli, site of the famous Ottoman victory against the Allies during World War I. Visit the Anzac Cemetery, a memorial to the casualties of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose fame grew back home as word of their heroic efforts spread. April 25, 2015 marked the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of the Gallipoli Campaign. Afterwards, cross the Dardanelles by ferry and continue to the Canakkale province, located in northwest Turkey, where you will arrive in the early evening
Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerRead more