Istanbul - Istiklal after Dark

After the sun set over Istanbul, foot traffic picked up along İstiklal Caddesi.

We watched as an old-fashioned red tram whizzed by.

We walked İstiklal Caddesi to its terminus at Taksim Square.

Walking back, we spotted a stenciled turkey on the wall of a red building.  How fitting, given that we were spending the American Thanksgiving Holiday in Istanbul!

We walked through Çiçek Pasajı past countless seafood restaurants but nothing caught our eye.

We wandered through some of the back alleys near İstiklal Caddesi.  We chanced upon Nevizade Sokak which was lit up with bars and restaurants.

We stopped for an Efes beer and some people watching.

We moved on further up the lane for some mezzes and wine for dinner.

We walked through the dark streets back to Sultanahmet and our hotel for a well-deserved night of sleep after covering some serious ground exploring old and new Istanbul.