Bosphorus Cruise

One has three options for a Bosphorus cruise.  Four actually.  There is a two hour, no stop quick cruise, an evening quick cruise, or an all day commitment starting at 10:30 am - 1.5 hours up to the Black Sea with five stops, getting off the boat for a couple of hours on the last stop in Anadolu Kavagi, and then sailing back at 3 pm with a 4:30 arrival in Eminönü.  (that is the one I chose)  The fourth option is to buy a Bosphorus cruise from one of the hundreds of boys who pop out everywhere with a laminated placemat describing a Bosphorus cruise.  (they are uber annoying and their cruise is about double the price for less of a boat)  The one I am on is a company called Bogaz Turlari.

The boat ride itself is wonderful.  I queued up early and had an outside deck seat.  Lots of photos!  The day is warm and pleasant and the sky is blue.

Galata Tower and bridge, the bridge with fish restaurants on the lower level.  I will walk across this bridge and climb the tower after the tour or in the next couple of days.  The Galata Bridge crosses the Golden Horn inlet, not the Bosphorus.  The Golden Horn is an inlet on the European side of Istanbul.

Dolmabahce Palace.  If I remember correctly, the Prime Minister's office is in there.  It is supposed to be an amazing tour, but it is on the list of flash points that Frank's company has warned us not to visit. Sigh.

The Bosphorus Bridge which connects the Asian and European continents.  The only time we crossed it was in the cab on the way to the hotel from the airport.  Otherwise we use the public transportation ferry service which is inexpensive and frequent.

The old city walls, along the shore of Europe, near the second bridge. (north of the Bosphorus bridge, closer to the Black Sea).

Just a random seaside neighborhood.

And a few of many boats.

The island is gorgeous, but the tourist area is rather small for 2.5 hours.  I stopped and purchased a gift for our daughters, and asked the kind shoppe owner where was the best place to eat.  He answered that all are the same, but by the sea is much money and interior is 

''leetle" money.  

I had a lovely lunch just inside the interior.  Pretty sure that fish is fresh!  This plate and water was 7TL. ($4)

And now I am on the exterior, on a balcony overlooking the Bosphorus,  sipping tea, and trying the house specialty homemade baklava.  I think I am not a baklava fan, but it is a Turkish tradition, and so I ate a few bites to say I did.  I have no idea how to ask for a to-go container... 

The view is worth it, along with the shade, seat and cool cool breeze.  <3

A new load of passengers just arrived - the noon boat from Eminönü.  The restauranteurs come to the boat landing holding menus and beckoning the tourists.  It is interesting to be a tourist in an area where tourism funds everything.  Somewhere between revered and hounded.

For the first time since arriving in Turkey I saw popcorn today.  My favorite food, but best eaten in America I think...

Güle güle!