Shopping Spree on a magic flying carpet :)

Day 5: So today we decide to take it easy with the sightseeing and go shopping instead. I am most excited about seeing the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. You can, depending on where you're staying, take the tram or walk to the Grand Bazaar. For me, even more that the shopping, whats exciting is the way the Grand Bazaar is made. It's not your usual mall like bazaar, it seems to be from another era entirely. From the times of the Ottoman Empire, the almost 550 years old Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered marketplaces in the world, one of the oldest too. As soon as you enter, you're welcomed by a kaleidoscope of colours and for a second it's overwhelming and then you just get lost in all that activity and colour. Moving from lane to lane, stall to stall, you get to see and purchase all the real treasures of Turkey. The beautiful colourful; hand painted and hand blown lamps that Turkey is so popular for are found in all shapes, sizes, designs and prices. Leather goods are another of Turkey's specialities, shoes and handbags and are a must buy; Turkish bags are gorgeous and the leather is so light and supple, you can't resist buying atleast one. The same goes for leather shoes; so comfortable. Ladies, another must buy when you're in Turkey and at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the gorgeous, most extraordinary jewellery; rings, bracelets, necklaces etc. And the multitude of evil eye ornaments and jewellery. Turkish jewellery is popular all over the world.  I remind you here to bargain to your heart's content! It is an essential if you want the best prices! Do not get aggressive but bargain.

The lovely handpainted crockery and plates and tiles of Turkey are also a must buy. Lovely to decorate your home with, or serve food to your guests in. The gorgeous apple tea glasses are available in a multitude of colours and designs, and they're lovely to take home as a present or for yourself. 

Note: Remember to pick up a few packets of the delicious Apple Tea so popular in Turkey (that is yum when you have it hot and oh so refreshing when you have it cold)!

After all the shopping you can rest a while at one of the many small cafes everywhere inside the Grand Bazaar - have some delicious shawarma or some light and yummy lamajoon (pizza like turkish dish) and such. Another interesting thing you'll find everywhere in the Grand Bazaar are the large marble water fountains that are as old as the bazaar itself and are found easily on almost every lane so that in case you get thirsty exploring the 61 lanes or so that make up the bazaar, and with all the haggling, you can stop for some cold water. ATMs can also be found in a few places inside the bazaar, in case you shop a little more than intended, which is known to happen quite often while shopping at the fascinating Grand Bazaar. Ask the shopkeepers and they'll direct you.

Head on to the Spice Bazaar once you're done with Grand Bazaar, they're in the same area - Faith, walking distance from each other, so you can go from one to the other. You might have to come back for the Spice Bazaar the next day if you're not short on time because the Grand Bazaar can be tiring. The Spice Bazaar is a must see however, even if you don't buy much. It is a very interesting experience. The Spice Bazaar is the second largest covered market in Istanbul, after the Grand Bazaar and was made in the 1660s and was called the Egyptian Market as it used to sell goods brought from Cairo. Now the Spice Bazaar, it sells heaps and heaps of the most exotic spices, dry fruits, condiments and a must buy is the very popular Turkish jelly like sweet called the Turkish delight that is great to take home as a present or for yourself.

Exhausted, we went back to my brothers place, ate at home and then late at night, walked to the beach and sat at a little cafe and had nargile/sheesha and some hot apple tea in the cool night.

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