Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation, Malaysia

Monday, November 29, 2010

My World - A Cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul

One of the highlights of our trip to Istanbul was a day spent cruising the Bosphorus. This was my second time on this cruise and I was extremely excited to embark on this unforgettable journey again. When we look at the cityscape, with not many changes, it definitely brings back fond memories for us.

We took a ferry from Eminonu quay near the Galata Bridge and cruise along the Bosphorus for a 90 minute ride. The cruise was a wonderful way to see the city along the shores and the fact that the beautiful strait that divides Europe from Asia makes it particularly unique.

There are so many mosques, old palaces, quaint buildings, fortresses, and castles here with a real sense of history and our cameras just couldn't stop clicking. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what you can expect from this cruise.

DSC_0295
Dolmabahce Palace as seen from the ferry, located on the European side of the shore served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. It's also fascinating to watch the locals like these fishermen going about their daily lives.


DSC_0341
Ciragan Palace, (1850) a former Ottoman Palace is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus. It is now a five-star hotel


DSC_0383
As fascinating as the major sites are the quaint houses and buildings that line the shores of the Bosphorus.


DSC_0257
Along the way, we saw many ships and oil tankers dotting its shores, as well as local fishing and ferries crossing across the Bosphorus straits.


DSC_0318
There are two suspension bridges on the Bosphorus connecting Europe to Asia and this is one of them seen from a distance.


DSC_0352
After passing through numerous buildings, we finally saw the bridge in Ortakoy linking Europe to Asia. It is the first of two bridges over the Bosphorus.


DSC_0417
This is the second bridge at the narrowest point on the Bosphorus. Next to the bridge across the straits is the fortress Rumeli Hisari which is now a museum. The ruins within the castle is pretty extensive.


DSC_0419
A closer view of the Rumeli Castle. This imposing fortress, also known as the "Fortress of Europe" was built in 1452 in preparation of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. With the help of 3,000 thousands of masons and workers, the fortress was completed within an incredibly short four months.


DSC_0482
As the ferry zigzags its way up to the Black Sea, we finally crossed the Asian shore. The Asian part of Istanbul is much more residential. I was told that most residents commute to the urban European side for work and commute home to Asian side.


DSC_0439
Here we are, standing on the Asian territory looking at Fortress of Asia which is located opposite the Fortress of Europe.


DSC_0443
The Beylerbeyi palace (1861-1865) on the Asian shore

Overall, this was probably my favorite activity in Istanbul. I really enjoyed this experience. This was a fabulous day out and worth the trip if you are staying in Istanbul for several days.

That's My World

39 comments:

  1. i love the castle shot the most. it felt right for the vampire stories that i read so far!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Photos of castles, fortresses, churches or villages in ruins show that the places have character and were lived in by ordinary working people. Fantastic photos by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A wonderful cruise along with you through your photos series.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a fabulous way to enjoy the architecture and beautiful natural scenery. Looks like you had a splendid time and got some great captures.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Life Ramblings, your photos are great! I remember how difficult it was, while touring Bosphorus, to keep my balance while I took photographs :) I enjoyed very much that tour.

    ReplyDelete
  6. goodmorning!!!!

    what some nice places!!you should show me sometimes,,it is beautiful and good photoes..did you take them?

    I wish for you a great day

    big big morning kiss!!:)))

    ReplyDelete
  7. Those are indeed some fascinating sights. Would love to be on that cruise too, someday. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your photos are exquisite! I would love to visit that area of the world again.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That sounds like a wonderful vacation. I enjoyed looking at your beautiful photos. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an amazing adventure and you got some great photos. Just awesome LR!
    Have a great day,
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  11. I always love your travel photos!! They're the next best thing to being there myself! Thanks for sharing the fun and the beauty! Hope you have a great week! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  12. Istanbul looks like an amazing place to visit. Thanks for sharing these lovley photos and your trip.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your photos are wonderful. I almost - almost - felt as if I was there with you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great series of shots. Wonderful views all around.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wonderful set of shots of historic place The fort and the palace are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Absolutely fabulous.... What a gorgeous city --and there's just no better way to see it, than from a cruise boat. Love your photos... Thanks for sharing.
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fantastic set of photos - what an incredibly interesting and varied place - such stories to tell! Thank you - I want to go now!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you so much for this post. The photos are wonderful, and it was very gratifying to see pictures of places I have read so much about. I would love to be able to take that cruise.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good morning LR! Happy Tuesday to you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm glad u got to go on this cruise again, the sights are amazing and ur pics are so sharp! :D

    ReplyDelete
  21. We took a night cruise in Amsterdam but my camera ran out of battery so I did not get many great pics even though the view then was awesome.. too bad for me.. :(

    ReplyDelete
  22. Have a great day sweetie, I am running late in dropping EC today, see ya later! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for visiting my blog. Your photos are great. Thank you for the chance to see beautiful places. All of them!

    ReplyDelete
  24. The place on the second picture is were I was married and I live close to the fortres on the 5th and 6th picture. De facto: we have a great bosphorus view.)
    kindest
    hans

    ReplyDelete
  25. You got lovely scenery on that cruise. I would love to do that one day. Love your travel posts and thanks for the great info.

    ReplyDelete
  26. such a beautiful world! and you have captured it so beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  27. wonderful image, color, light, atmo ...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you for this lovely and impressive tour. I absolutely love it. I have never been to Istanbul. The buildings are so beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. So happy to have found your site. Another site worth spending a lot of times reading wonderful stories and looking at awesome photos.

    ReplyDelete
  30. It feels like I have seen Istanbul through your beautiful pictures.
    Thanks for sharing:)
    Have a beautifulday!/Maria

    ReplyDelete
  31. The scenery is awesome and the buildings are beautifully structured.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wonderful to read about the cruise. Thanks for the lovely photos and explanations.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow, the buildings are magnificent. Love to visit sometime.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing.

    I played too. Mine are here and here.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Wow, this is so beautiful! I can't imagine how cool it must have been in person! And it looks like you had a beautiful day for the cruise, too.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I didn't know that bridge links Europe to Asia, nice to know about it.

    ReplyDelete