17. Türkiye - Grand Bazaar

 We caught the local train to visit the Grand Bazaar in the south of Istanbul. The train system is efficient, clean and cheap. Each trip you take in Istanbul costs the equivalent of 75 Australian cents and is a much safer mode of transport than taxis and ubers. 😱

The city is massive and it's the only way to do it. We learned our lesson the first time we took an uber in Istanbul central. Given the city's population of 22 million, the traffic is diabolical. 

While negotiating the traffic, blaring horns and no use of indicators, drivers are busy texting on their phones! After seeing our lives flash before our eyes on a few occasions, we took the train.

The bazaar was huge. You practically need a map to get around. To be honest, I was expecting it to be a bit more traditional with fez-wearing carpet traders and wandering salesmen selling 'genuine' ancient artifacts but alas, the 21st century has made its mark.

Even though there were some eye-catching stores, with a multitude of colours and shiny things, most stores were selling the same commercially made items that you'd see in retail shops. This is also why one is easily lost. It all looks the same.  Given the crowds, we decided to move on.

The best stores we found were scattered in narrow alleyways around Istanbul. Turning a corning or peering down an alleyway would divulge delights to ensnare the senses.  Everything is a riot of colour and stacked to within every inch. Preserves, sweets and spices aplenty. 

Next stop, Antalya, which is on the southern coast of Türkiye overlooking the Mediterranean.

Its a bit warmer there!