Day four we woke up early and decided to go back to Kadikoj on the Asian side. It was just a bit more pleasant to stroll around there, less tourists and lot of outdoor seating, and you had a nice boat ride to there. Below with a view of the old palace.

A small lunch snack and tea was consumed while strolling around the streets.

One market we found was a fish market.

but we also found a restaurant with long tasty pizzas.

and then we found Ufuc, a friend of Ali, that took us to the famous Bagdad street. More modern with a lot of restaurants and cafes. The favourite stop was the most famous cafe for Ice cream and desserts!

hungry as usual we also made a stop at Ufuc’s favorite place and had some spanish/mexican food.

After a full day of walking in the sun we decided to try another famous Turkish delicacy. Not that common among the locals anymore but popular by the tourists, THE TURKISH BATH. We found one close to our hotel on a small side street, same name as the football team: Galatasaray Hamami (hamami as in bath). No picture from inside but can tell it was hot and run by big strong (fat) Turkish men. Pretty much the following: After getting undressed you walk into a large round room with a large hot stone “table” in the middle. On this stone table people lies to build up a sweat. It reminds you of a sauna but the whole room is all in stone and resemble a temple more than a bath. The heat emerges from the table that you lay on. Around the walls are small sinks placed used for washing yourself. After laying for a while a large man comes up and starts to give a soap bath / massage. The one I had appears to be more of a construction worker than a masseur. And I can tell you that his enjoyment was probably to hear people scream like everyone except me did (weekly massage in China makes you used to it). After having a pretty rough wash and massage, you sit down by one of the sinks and the guy splash water over you and finish the soap bath. When soap bath is over you go to another room for a shower. Clean and nice, a second man comes and package you pretty rough in towels and lead you to a third room for some tea and water.

View of the small street where we found the Turkish bath. It is just of the main street in Taksim, small and narrow where both cars and people share the space.

Almost back at the hotel in Taksim square we decided to have a last evening snack. I had a plate of falafel plate and Silvia a falafel sandwich.