The Bosphorus is a narrow strait a few miles wide that separates Europe from Asia. It divides Istanbul into two halves, and is a busy waterway connecting the Aegean, part of the Mediterranean, with the Black Sea.
The boat trip sets off from an inlet of the Bosphorus called the Golden Horn. Straight away we can see how close the Asian shore is.
Our boat has seen better days, but chugs manfully off the
pier, belching fumes. It’s a pretty view as we pull away.
We approach and pass a couple of moored cruise liners.
Whilst bringing trade to sightseeing venues, they also bring the problem of vast hordes of trippers emerging
at the same time and swamping the venues
and all allied facilities like shops, cafes, toilets etc. Still, they look
serene and majestic at anchor and, of course, we’re trippers too so shouldn’t
complain.
Lots of sights on the waterway, like this palace, the Dolmabahçe
Palace, built in the 19th century for the 31st
sultan Abdulmecid. At the time, it cost the equivalent £2.5 billion: it wasn’t
on our tour itinerary but is described as the last word in opulence.
And now a beautiful baroque style waterside mosque in the late afternoon sunlight, built in 1853 so not as old as it looks.
Turkey has some world class bridges. This one crosses the
Bosphorus and was the world’s 5th longest suspension bridge when opened
in 1988.
Our boat need to be careful, this is a busy trade route and
we wouldn’t want to collide with something this size.
We’re turning round now to return to the starting point,
passing wealthy owners’ waterside properties. The light is fading into dusk,
but that gives a last chance for a silhouette shot of old Istanbul, trying not
to include any crane jibs. A very relaxing afternoon.
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