We started the day with a walk led by our tour guide down the main commercial street of Taksim where we saw many shops both on the street and on side alleyways. We didn't have enough time to spend in any one shop (this street could justify a whole day by itself) but we did stop in a cafe for coffee and tea.
We finished the walk at the Galata Tower. From the top of this tower, you can see all of Istanbul including all the bodies of water.
We decided to return to the Grand Bazaar on public transportation. We walked from the tower to the tram station. On this walk we had to take an underground tunnel under a main road; this tunnel was lined with a myriad of small shops, including an alarmingly large number of gun dealers.
In the Grand Bazaar, we had a lunch of "street food", a delicious kebab in pita. Bill decided he wanted that leather jacket, so we returned to the shop. After a very nice conversation with the proprietor we got another $125 off the price. The Visa card then exploded (fallout was experienced in Athens) but Bill has a nice coat.
We tried to take the trams back to the hotel, but there was one connection where we couldn't find the train, so we took a cab the rest of the way. Getting around the city is tough when you have no understanding at all of the language.
That night the entire group went to dinner at Hacebaba. The meal was wonderful and the food just kept coming. A great way to celebrate the end of the tour.
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