Day 10: Thu 10 Sep - Istanbul

We went for a cruise on the Bosphorous today. On the way to the ferry, we took in the sights of Galata Tower and the Spice Bazaar.

The cruise took us from the city north, all the way to the last harbour before the Black Sea – Anadolu Kavagi. Here we had to get off the ferry so took the opportunity to visit the remains of Yoros Castle, a Byzantine ruined castle at the confluence of the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. Yoros Castle sits on a hill surrounded by steep bluffs overlooking the Bosphorus. This section is one of the narrowest stretches of the Bosphorus, and on the opposite shore sits an area called Rumeli Kavağı, which formerly held a fortification similar to Yoros Castle. From the top of the hill, you looked out over the Black Sea.

We had lunch before we hiked up the hill to see the ruins and the view. It was here that Guido refused to pay for the water and bread that was placed on the table just after we sat down. He argued that if we were to pay for it, they should have told us this when it was placed on the table. Guido won the argument, and we all learned a valuable lesson.

The street and hill we used to get down to the river

Galata Tower

Views from Galata Tower

Spice Bazaar

New Mosque

Galata Bridge

Waiting to board the ferry - Richard, Wendy, Guido, Jane, Susan, Annie

Dolmabahçe Palace

Ciragan Palace

The white building at the back with the flag on top is where we are staying

Colourful buildings along the Bosphorous

Not so colourful and a little run down

Fortress

Ruins of Yoros Castle