Checkout day from the Efendi hotel, today we move to the new side, our next hotel is on the Taksim side.

Got our luggage packed and moved to the lobby, the plan was to go out for a last walk around Sultanahmet and also have another shave – for me & Jayesh.
Got out soon after breakfast, and headed out along the back streets to Divanyolu Street, the main street of Sultanahmet where the Trams travel. Headed on the outbound direction – this is an area we had not covered previously.

(it is very painful sitting on a bollard with two girls on your lap)
 

(lots of cats around)

Back at the Efendi Hotel, we awaited for our Taxi to transfer us to Taksim….

(Ladies with the owner, me & Jayesh with the reception staff, both super friendly and helpful)

Taxi arrived soon after, and we were checked in to Titanic city Taksim hotel around 1pm. Now to explore the new Istanbul side…

(ready to explore Taksim and Istiklal street)

We walked through the Taksim square where all the riots and protests had taken place only two months back, there was no signs of the unrests, things were back to normal – big change from the scenes shown on TV during the unrest.

Into Istiklal Street, wow, this is one crowded open area shopping street, reminded me of the street from Paris – Champs elysees, this was just like that, but only for pedestrians and Trams – well some cars did come through every now and then, but not a roadway as such.

First stop, ladies to touch-up their makeups!!

Into the street, we could not fathom the sheer number of people there, and equally the number of shops/restaurants, just totally mad, had never seen anything like this before….

Walking almost the length of the street we were quite buggered, decided to head back to the hotel. Passed through the Taksim square again.

(Taksim Square)

Got back to the hotel, time to rest, needed that with all the walking, evening’s plan was to go to a belly dancing show.

(all ready for the nite, awaiting our taxi)

It was a good nite, we were still a bit tired from walking the Istiklal street – that thing is a monster! all hit the bed early needed the rest.