Cruising Down the Bosphorus, Istanbul

Rumeli Hisari, the fortress built by Mehmet II, between 1451 and 1452, 

from where he launched his attack on Constantinople.

One of the delights of being in Istanbul in the summer is to join with a group of friends and cruise down the Bosphorus. This year was no exception. We hired a boat, brought our own contribution for the pot luck lunch, and sailed away.

Enjoying the top deck

No matter how many times I cruise down the Bosphorus, I never tire of the  scenery - the old mixed with the new - history and modernity - all jumbled together on the banks of this ancient strait, separating Europe from Asia.

I so enjoy gazing at the beautiful mansions strewn along the

banks of this amazing strait...

...and the tall houses, jostling for space on the very edge of the water

Our boat moored by the new bridge being built at the

end of the Bosphorus, near the entrance to the Black Sea

Once there, it was time for a swim in the Bosphorus...

...followed by a buffet lunch

Some of the mansions, or 'yali', are painted in this colour, called 'Ottoman Rose'.

This is the traditional colour, dating from earlier times

Peeping out from behind the houses, is Anadoluhisari (the Anatolian Castle), 

which was built between 1393 and 1394 by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.

Küçüksu Summer Palace on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. 

This was used for short stays by the Ottoman Sultans during the summer months

What a glorious day we had! Here's to next year's cruising!

by Elizabeth Coughlan