My flight back from Dinzili to Istanbul last night was lots of fun. It landed in Asia at Istanbul’s second airport but it only took about 30 minutes by car to be back in Europe.
The Bosphorous is a dividing line, on one bank you’re in Asia and across the water you’re in Europe.
This morning I took my Bosphorous cruise tour, the views of the water front on the European side with the fancy restaurants, 5 star hotels and sultan palaces and the water front mansions and hunting lodges of the sultans on the Asia side are sights to be seen.
But the most important part of the cruise is that being on a ferry in the Strait gives you a real perspective of the strategic importance of this waterway. Not only does it divide two continents but it is the world’s narrowest strait used for international shopping.
You can’t get from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, without passing through the narrow Bosporus, both sides of which are owned by Turkey and the narrowest choke point is only 700 meters wide!
Then after my lunch, I went to the top of the Gálata Tower with spectacular views of Istanbul in every direction.
Then I walked the lively and fun pedestrian streets, leading to Taksim Square packed with stores and shops, Baklava bakeries, Kebab and Doner Restaurants, crowded with people in March it must be elbow to elbow in the summer season.
I stopped to tour the Church of St Anthony of Padua, the Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church, and the Neve Sholom Synagogue.
Next it was, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar and dinner, arugula salad (here it’s rocket) with feta and walnuts and pomegranate vinaigrette dressing. So delicious, I think I could eat this salad every day.
Pomegranates are big here. Street stands selling fresh pomegranate juice are everywhere and it’s just delicious.
Tomorrow, my last day in Istanbul, I’m gonna walk the city walls built by Constantine the Great and then the real adventure begins!
