We boarded the 10:00 am ferry boat and sailed up the Bosphorous. Abdil pointed out many interesting sites along the way, I am glad he came with us. The thought of a country being split between two continents is intriguing and then to sail down the Bosphorous with Europe on one side and Asia on the other is better yet.
We passed some humongous cruise ships along the way, they looked totally out of place and an eye sore. This was something I really wanted to do, sail on the Bosphorous and I am so glad I got to do it.
We hugged the European side on the outgoing trip and turned around at the second bridge and came back hugging the Asian side. We stopped at a point on the Asian side and let some passengers off.
There were many interesting sites along the way.
After we got off the boat we went into the same store at the Spice Market to get some Baklava. They gave us a piece to taste and it somehow didn't taste as good as yesterday's. These have pistachio instead Walnuts, so I can eat them as well.
We then headed north out of the city towards the Black Sea. The freeway was very crowded up to a certain point and pretty soon gave way to beautiful forested area with very little traffic.
The road remained scenic all the way to the little fishing village on the Black Sea, Rumelifeneri that was our destination.
The name of the village is the same name of the lighthouse Rumeli Feneri, built in the 19th century and is still a working lighthouse. Rumeli is Rumelia, the European part of Turkey and Feneri means lighthouse.
Very close to our destination we passed the construction site of the third bridge joining Europe to Asia, this looked like a huge undertaking but is supposed to be completed by the end of 2015.
Before entering the village our guide Abdil told us that Black Sea people are known for their large noses and there are many jokes about them in the Istanbul area.
About an hour and 15 mins from the start we arrived at the fishing village and drove thorough it to the Mendirek fish restaurant. The restaurant was located on a higher ground where the Bosphorous flows into the Black Sea. What a beautiful and peaceful view, it's as hard to describe this place as it was to finally leave after a very long lunch.
The food was phenomenal as well. Abdul ordered for us, calamari, the best I have had so far and definitely the freshest, I should know being a calamari addict and having had calamari in every restaurant that offers it anywhere in the world.
The other appetizer was sole fish cubes, baked with onions, sweet red peppers, and mushrooms and then drizzled with olive oil. I have never had anything like this before and it was delicious.
Our main course was sea bass from the sea as opposed to farm grown. The fisherman go out early in the morning and bring their catch in to the market and restaurant goes and picks them up. This was a grilled dish and it was excellent and the presentation superb.
It was followed by a cheese sweet and Turkish Tea.
We reluctantly got up and Sudip walked down to the village to take a picture of a garlic vendor that looked like he had piled up a million garlics.
As he was taking the picture, 3 men resting under the shade of a tree started talking to him and wanted Sudip to take a picture of the three of them. When I drove down with Abdil to pick him up, they all greeted me and enthusiastically waved at me. What a neat experience.
I am so glad we made the decision to come here, a beautiful place, gorgeous view, great food, and charming people.
We left reluctantly and on the way back stopped at the ruins of an 18th. century fort.
Before reaching the hotel we stopped at a shopping mall to get the screw in Sudip's eye glass fixed. This was a ten story high shopping mall, I don't believe I have ever been in anything this big.
We said our byes to Abdil and Turkey Tours by Local Guides, tomorrow we are on our own.
We rested for a while and then went down to a local serve yourself restaurant called Pehlivan Gida. The food here wasn't good at all but after that fantastic lunch who cares. Although I have to say this is the only bad meal we have had so far.
Retired for the night.
Location:Istanbul
Neal will be sad to hear Campiello has lost its "best calamari" designation! This sounds like a perfect day. I can tell you didn't want it to end.
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