Turkiye 2023: Back to Istanbul, last full day!

The last full day of this incredible trip started with a long bus ride back to Istanbul, where it all began. Most of the morning we were driving. Around noontime, we stopped for lunch in Sakarya. This is a big road stop, which includes a coffee shop, a grocery store, a restaurant and a burger shop. Most of the people went to get a real meal from the restaurant. Not only was I not hungry, I did not want a full meal, so I went to the coffee shop for an Americano and some pastries.

The unique thing about this road stop is the presence of many dogs. This is just one of them.

Snapped a photo of this cute blue-domed mosque along the way.

On the way to Istanbul, we solicited recommendations for the best hamam, or Turkish bath, and the tour manager gave us three names.

With directions too.

Most of the people on the tour group were signed up for the Bosphorus Cruise which we did just before the guided tour began. So we don't have any other things to do this afternoon. In addition, we wanted desperately to tick off Turkish bath from our must-do list in Turkey.

We took the bus near our hotel and alit near Eminonu to get into the train that would take us to Sultanhamet and the Grand Bazaar. According to the instructions, the historic hamams are located in the vicinity of the Grand Bazaar. The train was very crowded as expected and we accidentally took one train stop farther than we were supposed to. So when we got off the train we had to go through the Grand Bazaar to reach the other side where we felt the historic baths were located.

We found the 100-year-old Turkish bath. From the entrance you can tell this is really old and historic. We were a tad wary because there were no prices listed or posted. Front desk told us that no available slots for today, apparently reservations are required.

Well, we moved on to the next Turkish bath on the list and it required a little bit of walking from the first place, but we found it. And it had room for four or more people.

This experience was fascinating, for lack of a better word. Unlike the Turkish bath in Morocco where the front desk person will describe what the experience would be and what it entails, here no one can communicate in English. Men and women were separated, we were given a towel and some old ladies pointed up the stairs for the changing room (no pictures of course). In the changing room was a locker to keep our belongings and a pair of disposable undies and slippers were given. We ushered in the bathing area where we went for steam bath (on a large rounded platform made of stone). So there were were naked and lying on our back at the edge of the circle. I am very uncomfortable in this setting, even though we're all women and all of different ages and shapes. I could hear a Spanish lady talking to her companion who wasn't answering. I was too anxious to relax. And the I was getting too hot too, but that's the point it's a steam bath first.

After the steam bath we were soaped, scrubbed and then rinse. Then another round of steam bath. This part I think lasted long because we didn't understand the instructions. We didn't know if there's more to this experience or we're just chilling here. Eventually, Sharon and I got conscious of the time so I flagged one of the ladies and by hand signals asked if we could leave the area. We were wary of the time because this evening is the Farewell Dinner at the hotel and we didn't want to miss it.

My husband took this in the men's area.

Before leaving the area, we went shopping for treats for co-workers and family members.

We took the train back to Eminonu and crossed the street to wait for the bus to take us back to the hotel. Since we stopped here on the way to the train station earlier this afternoon, we thought for sure the bus back to the hotel would be across the street from that bus stop. But we walked a few blocks and could not find a bus stop. This part is not a nice neighborhood area and for the first time this trip I felt a little anxious. Then we realized that we didn't have bus tickets and the only options were to take a taxi or walk back to the hotel.

We decided to walk since we couldn't get a taxi. We navigated our route with the help of Google maps. This is a very long walk that took us to Galata Tower, which meant we had to climb up the hill and then back down. We took short breaks to feed the cats along the way.

It was dark and I thought we'd miss the Farewell dinner for sure. But God is good to us and we made it. We barely had time to freshen up but not enough time to change.

Our incredible tour manager.

There was eating, singing and a lot of dancing afterwards.

Then at 2:30 am the following morning, the majority of us (except 2 couples) left for the airport for our 6:10 am flight back. Some stopped in Amsterdam and other stopped in Frankfurt like us, then back to home sweet home.

This has got to be one of the most wonderful trips I have ever taken. I am so grateful and blessed.