It was a great pleasure taking a cruise up the Bosphorus as I didn't have to walk so much but I could enjoy the views under the comfort of the sea breeze. It is very interesting as the ferry sailed between Europe and Asia. I was on European land sometimes, and then minutes later, I was on Asian land.
The trip started at the ferry terminal at an area in Istanbul called Eminönü. I bought a round trip ticket and I was all ready for the cruise. I had about an hour to spare before the ferry left, so I walked around Eminönü and found an interesting mosque which the people referred to as New Mosque.
The trip started at the ferry terminal at an area in Istanbul called Eminönü. I bought a round trip ticket and I was all ready for the cruise. I had about an hour to spare before the ferry left, so I walked around Eminönü and found an interesting mosque which the people referred to as New Mosque.
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The New Mosque (Yeni Camii).
Opposite the Eminönü Port is where the distinctive Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) stands, outstanding amongst the other buildings.
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The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) at the background of a ferry on the Bosphorus.
There are many nice buildings and mosques along the two sides of the Bosphorus; the European side and the Asian side.
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A mosque on the European side of the Bosphorus.
There are also many bridges linking the European land and the Asian land of Istanbul. Many of them are suspension bridges.
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One of the suspension bridges linking Europe and Asia.
There is a fortress on the European side called the Fortress of Europe. It was built in 1452 by Mehmet II before he invaded of Constantinopole (the former name of Istanbul).
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The Fortress of Europe.
Many houses were built along the shores of Bosphorus as villas. There are however some very run-down houses too.
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A very old and poorly maintained house at the pier of a small town.
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Villas along the European shore of the Bosphorus.
As one of the important economic activities on the Bosphorus is cruising, some colourful cruise boats can be spotted once in a while, especially near the pier of small towns.
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A cruise boat on the Bosphorus.
The ferry's final stop of the Bosphorus Scenic Tour is a small town on the Asian land called Anadolu Kavaği. When the ferry arrived at its terminal pier, it was almost lunch time. I alighted from the ferry and strolled around this beautiful town.
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Restaurant chefs cooking seafood at Anadolu Kavaği.
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Most of the seafood stuff are grilled or deep-fried.
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Some of the seashells being served for lunch.
When I walked further towards the less beaten track, I found a very nice restaurant-cum-guesthouse set beside the water. I decided to settle down for lunch here and occupied a table just by the pier.
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Lunching under the breeze from the Bosphorus.
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Green salad served as part of the set lunch I ordered.
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The Turkish bread is a mandatory item in any meal. I like the crispy crust and the spongy flesh.
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Part of the main course served, the deep-fried mussels and calamari rings.
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Another part of the main course, a grilled whole sea bream.
It was a very satisfactory lunch. I paid 16.50 YTL (Yeni Türk Lirasi, New Turkish Lira) for the meal inclusive of service charge, which was about USD13.00.
I took a strolled on the path I took to come to this restaurant, heading back to the pier to board the ferry.
I took a strolled on the path I took to come to this restaurant, heading back to the pier to board the ferry.
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I was free like a bird again, heading back to Eminönü.
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The view of the city is back in sight again with the Süleymaniye Camii and Yeni Camii.
I enjoyed every bit of my time on this cruise and the mid-afternoon at the town of Anadolu Kavaği. If you are in Istanbul, make sure that you spare a day for this cruise up the Bosphorus.
If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Istanbul, here are the links:-
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 1: Hagia Sophia
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 2: Kariye Camii
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 3: Sultanahmet Camii
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 4: Kapali Çarşi & Mesir Çarşisi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 5: The Cruise Up the Bosphorus
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 6: Topkapi Sarayi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 7: Dolmabahçe Sarayi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 8: Yerebatan Sarayi
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 9: İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri
- Top Ten Sights in Istanbul – No. 10: Süleymaniye Camii
- On the Streets of Istanbul
- The People Who Posed for Me in Istanbul
- Nuts about Kebab
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