We visit Büyükada, and Erenköy Street Market

We took a similar ferry to this one, when we went to 

Büyükada, one of the Princes' Islands

On Wednesday, Angela had kindly invited us to lunch at her house on the island of Büyükada, one of the Princes Islands off the coast of Istanbul. It was a gloriously sunny day, but still rather cold. After one of Angela's delicious lunches, she ordered up a phaeton to the house, and we toured the island so that Becca could experience the delights of a horse and carriage ride.

Angela and Becca in the phaeton, with our driver standing by.

Rebecca in the driving seat, outside Angela's house

Later we took the dog for a walk in the forest. One odd thing about Buyukada is the marked difference in temperature from one side of the island to the other. On one hand we were warm and thinking of throwing off our coats, while on the other, it was freezing. Angela explained that this was due to the direction of the wind. On the north side of the island, the wind was blowing from the north, bringing in cold air, but the other side was sheltered and bathed in sunshine.

Angela with Rebecca in the forest

The next day we shopped at Erenköy's street market. This is huge, covering several long streets, and is very colourful with stalls jostling for space, and the stallholders vying for attention. I love the street markets in Istanbul, there is always something interesting to see.

We saw this friendly cheese-maker in the market.

She gave us some of her home-made cheese to taste

Angela and Becca shopping for clothes in the market

This man was selling different grains, beans and lentils. 

There is a far greater variety of produce in the street markets, 

than can be found in the supermarkets!

We had lunch in a little restaurant by the market. These lovely ladies are hand-making Mantı, a sort of Turkish mini dumpling, 

served with yoghurt, garlic and red paprika

Lunch at Angela's

While the fire was blazing at Haydarpaşa Railway Station, we were having lunch with Angela on Büyükada. We had such a happy and relaxing day meeting some of Angela's friends, and enjoying her hospitality.

Angela's welcoming front door on Büyükada

 Selin and Ciğdem show Kaya one of their published books.

Selin and  Ciğdem are researchers of historic buildings in Istanbul. When they have completed a project, they publish their findings in book form for the owner of the property. Their books are beautifully illustrated, and a wonderful record of their work.

Here we are enjoying a coffee after a wonderful meal.

Thank you Angela for a great day, we had a wonderful time.

 

On the way to Angela's house, we came across these two men mending a leak in a roof. They were three stories high, with no visible means of support, and certainly no safety equipment if they had inadvertently set fire to the roof! 'Elf and Safety? What's that?