From Sea to Shining Sea

Glorious summer days have provided a more than pleasant contrast to the cool damp of early May in Istanbul. To make the most of the weather, I returned to the stunning panoramic views from atop the Galata Tower and just bathed in sunshine. I wandered back to Sultanahmet, lingering over a beer at a cafe on the bridge, and revelling in some friendly banter with the touts at the Spice Bazaar (ok, so I did some shopping as well!).

Yesterday I jumped on a ferry and cruised along The Bosphorous from the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. It's a great way to see some of the 'less visited' parts of Istanbul. The shores are sprinkled with various monuments and a range of sights, including palaces, the mighty Bosphorous Bridge (linking Europe and Asia) and impressive summer residences nestled amid leafy suburbs. The incredibly ornate Dolmabahce Palace was built in the mid 19th century as a home for some of the last Ottoman sultans. It was guaranteed its place in history when Ataturk died there in 1938.

After a ride of nearly two hours, I hopped off at the charming suburb come fishing village of Sariyer. Here, I contented myself with exploring the town and savouring the fresh calamari at one of the numerous waterfront restaurants.

The trip back provided a good time to reflect on the trip. I surprised myself by not second guessing the choices I made. Would it have been different if I had travelled in the other direction? Maybe; the people certainly would have been different - not better or worse, just different. I have been incredibly lucky with the people I have met, the sights I have seen and the experiences I have had. With perhaps one or two exceptions, I wouldn't change anything.