We made a tour with the Bosphorus Ferry, starting at Eminönü and steaming up towards the Black Sea, with stops on both the European and Asian sides. We had fresh fish for lunch on the Asian side.
1Istanbul - Bosphorus tour We took the state-run ferry which leaves from the dock at Eminönü, only four tram stops from our hotel. Right across from the dock is the Yeni Camii, or New Mosque, with the entrance to the Egyptian Bazaar on the right.
2Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The dock is right next to the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn and has an excellent view of the Süleimaniye Mosque on the hilltop.
3Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The Galata Tower rises above the other buildings on the Beyoglu side of the Golden Horn,
4Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Leaving Istanbul
5Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The Dolmabahçe Palace
6Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Dolmabahçe Palace
7Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The Bosphorus is lined with many old buildings, some of which are badly in need of repair. Fortunately, some, like this one, are being restored.
8Istanbul - Bosphorus tour This old yali, waterside house, has been repainted, but is showing its age anyway.
9Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The Bophorus Bridge, linking Europe and Asia
10Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The Bophorus Bridge and a nice, big yacht
11Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Bosphorus Bridge
12Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Lovely summer houses on the hilly European bank
13Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The pretty town of Arnavutköy, on the European side of the Bosphorus
14Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Colorful spring-blooming trees among lighter-green trees and darker-green cypresses
15Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The Rumeli Hisari, a fort built in four months in 1452 by Mehmet the Conqueror just before he conquered Istanbul
16Istanbul - Bosphorus tour A rather fancy yali, built before the Fatih Bride, the second bridge spanning the Bosphorus
17Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Beautiful modern yali, with the speedboat parked in front
18Istanbul - Bosphorus tour A more gingerbready yali
19Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Coming into Yeniköy (European side), a restored yali serving as a hotel and a somewhat less restored one
20Istanbul - Bosphorus tour This yali definitely needs a lot of work
21Istanbul - Bosphorus tour This yali is in better shape, in spite of unevenness on the side boards
22Istanbul - Bosphorus tour More gingerbread
23Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Ahead, a strange, long cloud lying across the Bosphorus
24Istanbul - Bosphorus tour The cloud actually passed over the trees and buildings
25Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Looking back towards the Fatih Bridge
26Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Quaint houses on the shore
27Istanbul - Bosphorus tour At Anadolu Kavağı, the terminus stop, on the Asian side, fishermen repairing their nets
28Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Fishing boats at Anadolu Kavağı
29Istanbul - Bosphorus tour And fish restaurants
30Istanbul - Bosphorus tour This cat was so eager to get handouts of fish, he didn't worry about falling into the water
31Istanbul - Bosphorus tour He liked being petted too
32Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Siv at a good fish restaurant in Anadolu Kavağı
33Istanbul - Bosphorus tour More mooching cats
34Istanbul - Bosphorus tour In one store for artisanal jewelry, the house cat occupied the step, making entry and exit a bit complicated
35Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Anadolu Kavağı
36Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Leaving Anadolu Kavağı, past yalis in varying states of repair
37Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Leaving Anadolu Kavağı
38Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Sea gulls following the ferry
39Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Modern yalis near the Fatih Bridge
40Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Two restored old yalis
41Istanbul - Bosphorus tour Passing under the Fatih Bridge
