Sunday 21st July 2013 - Prince's Islands, Turkey

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Sunday 21st July 2013 - Prince's Islands, Turkey



My Turkish friend 'Eno' said "If you are bored with Istanbul, why don't you go to Prince's Islands by ferry from Kabatas".

So the next morning, I went to Kabatas ferry terminal which was only 20 minutes from my campsite. Boarded the ferry at around 12 noon and targeted the largest island called 'Buyukada'. Had the biggest ice cream cone on earth, drank some 'Cay' before exploring the island.

The horse and carriage was the most interesting part of the island experience, only I could not afford it at 70 Turkish Lira a ride. Still some lucky tourists did enjoy the rides and this keeps the island economy running.



I accidentally walked into the 'Central Station' for the horse and carriage and then suddenly a stench hit my nose. My instinct was to turn back, but when I saw all the horses I decided to explore the area.

At the 'Central Station' I drank tea and watch the drivers scrape the horse manure from a rubber sheet that catches the dung. They would then put the dung into big trash cans. I also saw the driver water the horses and the lucky ones were fed with straw.

on the way home I watched people on the ferry feeding the flock of seagulls with expensive simit (local bread with sesame on top). These birds are very clever and acrobatic. I have seen a seagull catching a piece of simit in mid-air, diving for a piece of simit and if they could not get their own simit, they would try to steal it from another bird resulting in a aerial dogfight. Great entertainment on the ferry back to Istanbul.



I had a very expensive sis kebab and soup in the evening to round of a perfect day.

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Photos

Feribot to Prince's Islands
Feribot to Prince's Islands

My moustache is growing nicely
My moustache is growing nicely

Turkish seagulls being fed simit
Turkish seagulls being fed simit

The seawater looked like green glass
The seawater looked like green glass

Large deposits from the horses
Large deposits from the horses

Central station
Central station

Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

The Prince Islands
Lovely photo.

[Thomas Ng]

Keep going
Excited to see that you have reached Turkey which is a very interesting country as far as I know. Hope you will continue your journey with great fun. Take care and good luck

[philip on silk road]

Thank you Thomas and Anita. See you in Hong Kong soon (I hope). Philip