A traveller's reflection: 2016 Aegean Sea Trip: 14 Istanbul 03, Turkey

"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries..." - Aldous Huxley

(On the Bosphorus River Cruise)

Day 10: Saturday, 23 April 2016

After breakfast we checked out and went for the optional Bosphorus River Cruise after visiting the Mosque of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.

(A simple breakfast in the hotel restaurant)

(Checked-out and waiting for the tour bus)

Mosque of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari

Mosque of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, born as Khalid bin Zayd bin Kulayb in Yathrib, hailed from the tribe of Banu Najjar and was a close companion of Prophet Muhammad. He was named after the biblical Job. Abu Ayyub was one among the Ansar, meaning aiders, helpers or patrons of early Muslim history or those who supported Prophet Muhammad after the hijrah to Medina. The patronym Abu Ayyub, means father of Ayyub. Abu Ayyub died during the First Arab Siege of Constantinople.

(Sheeps for the nazar and qurban)

(The ancient graveyards around the mosque)

(Cobble-stone pathway leading to the mosque)

(Religious site for the locals too)

(Offering prayers to the deceased)

(The interior of the mosque)

(Ladies praying area)

(The decorated blue dome)

(The mimbar in the background)

(Small windows lighting up the prayer hall)

(Ablution fountain in the courtyard)

(The Mausoleum of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari)

(Visiting the Abu Ayyub Mausoleum)

(Other tombs of famous people)

Bosphorus Cruise

One of the best ways to get a feel for Istanbul is to take a cruise on the legendary Bosphorus. A ferry will cruise along the Bosphorus, the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia. From the cruise boat, you can view the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus' wooded shores: mosques, a bridge that for a time was the world's longest, the massive Rumelihisar fortress, the 19th century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultan's fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges.

(On board of the cruise boat)

(Taking a place on upper deck)

(The view of the pier)

(Abu Ayyubi an-Ansari mosque from the Bosphorus)

(The bridge linking the Asian and European continents)

(A view of the many landmarks of Istanbul)

(A proud Turkish flag fluttering on board)

(A view of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophea)

(Cruising from one continent to another)

(The Kucuksu Palace)

(A small old mosque by the Bosphorus)

(A pier on the other continent)

(An Ottoman Mosque by the sea)

(Bosphorus Bridge crossing the continents)

(Big ships harboring at the port)

(A rescue ship ready to assist)

(A typical commuter ferry)

(Fabulous Ottoman Yalis, seaside mansions)

(Private expensive bungalows and mansions by the Bosphorus)

(A view of a mosque from the Bosphorus)

(A light house in the middle of the Bosphorus)

(Arriving at the same pier)

(Tourists disembarking from the cruise boat)

After the Bosphorus River Cruise we went for lunch at a restaurant by the Bosphorous and later had ample time to visit the Hard Rock Café and bought us t-shirts.

(Having lunch at one cozy restaurant)

(One of the restaurants by the Bosphorus)

(A playful ice-cream vendor)

Taksim Square

Taksim Square or Estambeyoğlu, situated in the European part of Istanbul is a major tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops, and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with the central station of the Istanbul Metro network. Taksim Square is also the location of the Monument of the Republic.