Istanbul 2

Second day of our stay in Istanbul.
The sun shone through the curtains.Isn't the rail of the window beautiful?

The breakfast buffet was very rich. I also enjoyed the soup-this one was yoghurt,rice and spearmint soup! Delicious and so good to start a long day!

We walked from our hotel Golden Age 1 through Taxim Square...

...passed in front of Aghia Triada Greek Orthodox church...

and reached our first goal.
First we paid a visit at the Zappeion Greek School.I was so emotional.Our students presented songs and dances and so did the children of the school.There are about 100 students left there.After speeches we exchanged gifts and attended a small ceremony.
Our students sitting at the stairs of Zappeion.

The ceiling at the school.

The ceiling and chandelier at the ceremony hall.

Then we went on a cruise on the Bosphorus. I have done this before and so much enjoy sipping my tea and seeing the European and the Asian bank of the Bosphorus with the fantastic buildings,palaces and castles.
A local simit seller just before we embark.

The turkish flag flying at the ship...and everywhere in Istanbul.

My son looking at my tea.The Turks drink a little glass of tea many times a day.It is called demlik tea.It is a little thick tea and then they dillute it with hot water.

Great taste.

The Dolmabahce Palace

I have been there in my previous visits.It is gorgeous from the inside as well.

The Ciragan Hotel(previously a palace).

The Ortakoy under the bridge.

We had a mackerel sandwich as soon as we got off the ship.Delicious!

Then we attended a ceremony at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople where we met the Patriarch Bartholomew himself who talked to us and listened to the song we sang for him.
Greek-Turkish friendship flags outside the Patriarchate.

 A smart way to plant roses outside the Patriarchate.

 The Ecumenical Patriarchate.

 Church of Saint George at the Patriarchate.

Patriarch Bertholomew.

Then we went to Misir Carsisi(The Egyptian Market or Spice Bazaar) where all kinds of food and spices are sold. We unfortunately did not have enough time to spend there but we really enjoyed  taking photos of the buildings as Yenicami here...

the colourful delicious lokum(Turkish sweet delight)....

...the colourful dried fruit....

...hanging dried goods...

...colourful dishes....

 ....spices.....

 ....of course we tried the lokum everywhere!

More sweets...

....and hanging lights which I really adore!

...and lovely tulips outside the building....

In the evening we paid a visit to our friends' Aykut and Sehnaz's house.We met their family and they treated us to a lovely meal of various dishes. It was great to see their flat and all their great art.
We had lahmazun,Isli kofte and artichokes among other things.

 Great art everywhere...

 and my favourite Tiffany lamp.

You can find all kinds of great info about Istanbul and the places I visited with tour guides and videos here.