We landed in Istanbul, Friday, May 3rd at 5:35 AM local time WITH our luggage. Big achievement for us, LOL. After clearing passport control we were taken by car to our hotel where we took a much needed nap. After waking and freshening up a bit, we set out to explore the local area around Taksim Square. #hinesadventures
We went to the St. Anthony of Padua Basilica. The largest Catholic Church in Instanbul. And theHoly Trinity Greek Orthodox Church just off of Istiklal Avenue. It is the largest Greek Orthodox shrine in Istanbul today. We must have just missed Good Friday services, we could smell the incense. Sunday is their Easter.
We took a street car in Instanbul, referred to here as a tram watched the Slicing off of some lunch, there were long lines waiting for this.
We Walked down Istiklal Avenue, Istanbul on a Friday afternoon. Historically known as the Grand Avenue of Pera, in the historic Beyoğlu district, is an 1.4 kilometre pedestrian street and one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul, Turkey.
There are several ice cream vendors playing with customers, on Istiklal Avenue. There were many of these ice cream vendors.