Cruising through the Bosphorus

Sailing through the Bosphorus is a delight - it is a 32 km long stretch of water that divides the asian and european parts of Istanbul and connects the Black Sea in the north with the Sea of Marmara in the south. We were lucky to sail through on a beautiful sunny day. Container ships, oil tankers and ferries as well as little local fishing boats all share this waterway with cruise ships. Along the banks are palaces, ruins, villages and old ottoman wooden houses.

Fifteeth century Fortess of Europe

Ortakoy Mosque built 1850s

Istanbul - Beyoglu - the area that is the heart of the commercial and entertainment parts Istanbul- note Galata Tower which we climbed up the previous week.

The Sultanamet area of Istanbul where we stayed - the Blue Mosque is on the left and the Hagia Sophia on the right.

Eventually we slowly sailed out of the Bosphorus into the Daardanelles, the strait leading into the Agean Sea. The Gallipoli Peninsular on the eastern side holds a particular place in the hearts of Australians. Even if like me you are opposed to violence and war, you cannot help but pause to remember the lives lost and maimed here during WW1. It was a very sombre afternoon for the Aussies and Kiwis on board.

I looked up the Australian War Memorial website and of the total population of Australia in 1914 of 4 million people, 417,000 men enlisted - a staggering 38.7% of the male population between the ages of 18 - 44 and probably almost all of the able bodied ones. I have read the Victoria Cross citiations in the Hall of Valour at the AWM on several occasions and marvel at the acts of courage and heroism that earned these men that honour - many lost their lives in the process and you can't help but wonder how they might have contributed to our country if they had returned.

Canakkale Martyrs' monument to turkish soldiers on the Gallipoli Peninsular - the anzac memorials are on the far side of the peninsula - our ship didn't go past that way.