Istanbul to Dubai - homeward bound

Tuesday, 7th June 2011

Well we could not leave Istanbul without a final visit to the Grand Bazaar. There are dozens of entrances like this that just have a different Gate number. We went in Gate 2 and 90 mins later came out Gate 17.

We were down to our last bits of Turkish folding money, which I had kept for the cab to the airport and a coffee there. It meant we had the equivalent of $40 left. Andy had a US$50 note. I managed to buy a couple of things and as we were leaving, I notice him in a shop haggling away. He came out grinning and the proud owner of a new chess set. Yes he managed to spend his US dollars, no probs.

Here are some photos of the Grand Bazaar - there are so many streets in this place, you would never do it all.

Carpets anyone, we were approached dozens of times to buy a carpet.

This is the owner of the carpet shop


Pashminas and scarves galore - note the beautiful roof painting



Ceramics are one of my most vivid memories.

The walk back to the hotel I could not resist another couple of photos. This is the shop you go to for any type of rope or twine.


Bling anyone!
We arrived at the airport and I was a little nervous when the first bag weighed in at 24 kgs. However, the second one was only 15 kgs. The chess set was in the carry on :-)

Arrived in Dubai after a 4 hr flight at 10 pm and walked out to 36 degrees Celcius. I am a little scared to go out today.

Our hotel room is just gorgeous, we are staying at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel, another great find by Andy on the internet.As for my obsession with Hotel Rooms - this one is a winner. It is huge compared to Istanbul, but then so is the hotel. Yes that is a King sized bed!

The executive desk has executive chairs, very roomy.

As we are opposite the Dubai Museum so that will be our first port of call today. We then plan to catch the metro to the Mall of the Emirates. We are booked in to visit the top of the Burj Khalifur at 5.30 pm, and that will be followed by dinner at Carluccio's, the great Italian restaurant that is located at the base of the Burj. Then home for any early night as we are on a 10 am flight home tomorrow.