November 2, 2009
The breakfast buffet in our hotel was incredible! Meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetable dishes, breads, cakes and cookies!
After breakfast we went to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. The Kapali Carsi, or "Covered Market," covers a huge area in the city center. It was the first shopping center ever built. During Byzantine times, the Grand Bazaar was the site of a busy market. Then the Ottomans arrived and it grew bigger and more diverse. The great location attracted traders, guilds, and manufacturers. Eventually the separate areas were connected and roofed to form one market. Shortly thereafter, the Grand Bazaar became the center for trade in the Ottoman empire.
The Grand Bazaar was very overwhelming, so we didn't stay long. Then we went in search of the Spice Market.
The Spice Market was built in the mid-17th century. Eventually it was taken over by merchants selling pharmaceuticals, herbs, spices, and medicinal plants.
We bough Turkish delight and "evil eye" bracelets here.
We went back to the hotel to check-out and headed for our ship, the Norwegian Jade.
No comments:
Post a Comment