Turkish Breakfast

My last day in Istanbul.  I am meeting Frank's cousin's friend's daughter (!), Katy at 2 pm.  We had dinner last week, and she came to "my side" of town.  This time she asked me to take the ferry to Besiktas, near where she lives, and she will show me her favorite places.  LOVE that.

I left the hotel about 9:30 after a leisurely morning and the beginning of packing.  I arrived at Kadiköy 40 minutes early, so I crossed over to Starbucks.  While there, I thought I might as well use the WC, and they directed me upstairs.  There is a huge room of stuffed chairs and tables up there,  AND an outside deck overlooking the ferry port.  Who knew?  Next time I will know where to hang out.  :)

The new boat route took us by the Maiden's Tower, and one more item was checked off my tourist itinerary.  (although I did not get to take the little ferry to it from Uskadar.  Next time.) 

The story is that a sultan put his daughter on the island after a fortune teller told him she would get bitten by a snake.  Sadly, a basket of fruit was delivered with a snake in the bottom, and she died in his arms. 

Part way through the ferry ride a guitarist began to sing and play on the ferry, while his buddy walked around with the hat.  LOVED it. I even videoed a bit...Istanbul memories.

Once on shore I stayed along the coast and headed up the Bosphorus.  One item on my list that had not yet been accomplished, but was highly recommended, was "Turkish Breakfast along the Bosphorus."  At one point I spied red umbrellas along the sea, in the far distance,  and decided that was my destination.

It is a good thing I am persistent, because this was not a straight shot.  

In fact I walked along the shore until I came to a fence, had to double back, head over to the street and walk through a University campus trying to get back to the shore.  A campus guard told me that the red umbrellas were the Four Seasons Hotel.  I have good taste, eh?  It is THE posh establishment of Istanbul, mentioned in all the guidebooks and on the Bosphorus tour.  I was more determined to find it.

I found the hotel, and headed to the red umbrellas. I am obviously a foreigner (most people guess Canadian - there must be an accent) and so of course I was welcomed.  Alas, the red umbrellas are at the strait-side pool, but the white umbrella tables, directly by the Bosphorus, looked equally charming.  The menu (and prices) about floored me, and I may need a second mortgage for this breakfast.  But hey, most of my breakfasts have been protein nut bars that I brought from home, so this is a once in a lifetime treat.  :)

My Turkish breakfast and surroundings have exceeded all imaginings.  Small portions of cheeses, sausage, honey in the comb, olives, and 2 eggs and bacon right in the pan.  Such a treat.  Sorry, I sent the bread back before the photo.

As I sit here and type on my ipad, sipping Turkish tea and staring at the Bosphorus Bridge, I am attempting to savor every sip, every moment of this most decadent experience.  In fact, I am not budging from my seaside spot until I meet Katy at 2, and she is now coming here to get me.

It's really a good thing that this is the LAST day.  I would have been VERY spoiled if it had been earlier in the trip. Most of the trip has been crazy hot and crowded and sticky and wonderful. This is a fairy tale ending.  :)

Feeling blessed beyond reason, g

PS  As I am just about to post this, a yacht pulled in to pick up a couple of Four Seasons guests.  Nice.