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- Apr 15, 2022, 11:00pm
- 🌙 52 °F
- Altitude: 272 ft
- TurkeyIstanbulTaksimTaksim Square41°2’11” N 28°58’55” E
İstanbul: Reunion
April 15, 2022 in Turkey ⋅ 🌙 52 °F
When our friends called to say that they had arrived and were waiting for us at the Sancak Kulesi (aka Tophane Clock Tower) in the square adjacent to Galataport, we left the museum and headed over for our reunion.
Hakan and Nihat are Mui’s friends from high school. Their wives, Ferda and Figen, became close friends as well when they married into the tight-knit group. It was great to be able to spend some extensive time with them. The conversation and laughter was non-stop as we all got caught up.
We started off with a quick photo op on the waterfront. From there, we moved over to one of the cafés at Galataport for afternoon tea. Then, hopping on a tram, we went to the funicular station and made our way up to Taksim. Following a meandering walk through streets packed with weekend revelers, we arrived at Kirvem Ocakbaşı for an authentic Turkish dinner.
Ocakbaşı literally translates as “the head of the stove.” In this case, the stove was a grill … around which was a counter where we sat to enjoy a meal of mezes (Turkish tapas) and skewered meats. All of the dishes were prepared fresh right in front of us. The drink of choice was rakı (Turkey’s famous anise-flavored drink that is similar to Greek ouzo) … beer and wine for those who preferred an alternative.
By the time we left the restaurant around 9:30p, we were literally stuffed and a walk down Istiklal Caddesi was welcomed by all. Then, following directions provided by Nihat, we meandered downhill and found ourselves just a few short steps from Galataport.
Bidding our friends adieu until next time, Mui and I made the trek back to the ship. And a trek it really was because the underground maze of the cruise ship terminal forces everyone to go through the duty free shop at the far end first.
We ended our 19,732-step day (afternoon, really) with a quick visit up to the aft deck at the Terrace Café for some nighttime shots of the İstanbul skyline on the Asian and the European sides of the city.
Tomorrow we’re on our own. Our plans are fluid, but I believe there will be a lot of walking involved.Read more