We loved it so much we did it twice...

After a very full day walking with Errol we decided on our second day, to take it easy and take a boat tour of the Bospherous.  It was really chilled out to sit with other Turkish tourists on the Government boat (Thanks Errol for the transport card) and drift along hearing the history of Istanbul... 

What we didn't realise was that we would do the whole thing again a couple of days later after successfully getting on the wrong boat.  We thought we were going to the Princes Islands BUT guess what it was the Bospherous once more!

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After a brief siesta... actually a long siesta, the mid day heat of 29 degrees getting to us, we set off exploring once more.  This time taking the tram as recommended by Errol, to Kabatas and then the Funicular up to Taksim Square. 

Our first sight was the incredible Monument of the Republic which commemorates the 5th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

As we walked,  I don't know what we were expecting but not this...  There were hundreds of people walking down the wide crowded streets, edged with all the big European stores... and entertainers of all shapes and sizes.

We edged away from the main street and found a lovely back street restaurant ... fabulous food and great people watching.  We then stumbled on a little barber shop.  Roger couldn't resist.  An hour later he emerged after having the haircut of his life, complete with clay mask, eyebrow trim and EAR WAX.. yep that's right.  They pour warm wax into your ear and then once it is set they do a nifty rip and out comes the wax and hairs... "not an experience to be repeated" says Roger... but he looks pretty good, don't you think?

Back to the main street where the children were enthralled by the intoxicating ice cream men who clanged their huge serving spoons and whacked their cowbells. We loved watching how they entertained the children by offering them ice creams and then whisking them away... fabulous entertainment, as were the acrobats, musicians, mussel sellers and great stream of humanity who poured down to the harbour.

Finally we amble down to the tram, its nearly midnight and time for us to wend our weary way back to the delightful Empress Zoe.  A few quick refusals to the carpet sellers and we are back to our little oasis... ready for the next day of exploring.