Lost in Asia

Saturday, April 17, 2010 – Lost in Asia…
Chilly and sunny with sprinkling rain

We were up and out by 8:30 after returning to the ship three times for a bigger coat, raincoat and more money! We ventured off the shipearly with friends on the local tram, a brand new system which works wonders through the terribly congested streets. We went to the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) near Hagia Sophia church. After walking down 52 steps, you see this enormous underground cistern built by Byzantine Emperor Justinius (527- 565) that is held up by 336 columns, 27 feet high in 12 rows. Two Medusa heads used as the bases of two columns are masterpieces of sculpture in the Roman Period – one upside down and one sideways. The area was used as a set for the James Bond film “From Russia with Love”. There is a wooden walkway above 2 acres of 12-inch deep water for exploring the cistern. They also have a nice little café and a photo lab where you dress like a sultan for a professional photo. One couple were just about to have their photo taken when the wife said to her husband, “ Why should we pay for this photo when you dress like this all the time when you sing opera in local theatre?!!”.

We had a wonderful hour in the park between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia with colorful tulips bulbs, spouting fountains and locals and tourists wandering the area. The local shoe shine man was trying to drum up business. The flute player was hoping to give a short concert. The birds were chirping and flitting from one pink flowered bush to another. It was glorious.

Wandering down the hill, following the tracks of the streetcar we heard our names called and our friends were right behind us. They suggested we walk through the park under the Topkapi Palace and it was so pretty with purple and white pansies and tulips and sculptures and the Museum of Science and Technology. At the end of the park we came up on a simple hotel and toured it – for the budget traveler and used by an adventure company – found small shops with local handicrafts – found a money exchanger … it was all hustle and bustle in the city on a Saturday afternoon. In the Spice Market we purchased some spices and had fun with the vendor, walked in the underground tunnel under the street to find more vendors – bought some scarfs and a watch for US$3.50! and a large round sesame-crusted bread from a street vendor. Ran to get on a ferry going to Asia “the continent just across the Sea” and landed in Uskudar. This ferry was large with two decks, covered and uncovered, benches and FULL of people. The Asian side is more residential and people come over to the European side for shopping. Everyone had large bundles of purchases. We met a very nice couple, Turkish and Scottish marriage with a little daughter, and talked the entire way – about 20 minutes. The ferry ride cost a whole dollar.

Upon disembarking on the Asian side, we wandered around to see a beautiful cemetery where they place a head stone at each end of the gravestone and several mosques. Walking and walking…you really get a feel for the neighborhood when you walk it.

Then we “assumed” we were on the correct mode of transportation to take us over the bridge to the European side. We wanted to go to Karakoy. There were vehicles departing every few minutes to Kadakoy – as soon as the vehicle is full, off they go. Who notices one letter difference?????? Off we go. Kadakoy, here we come. I ended up speaking to three women from Dubai, US and Canada who were off to dine at a recommended restaurant so I am not paying attention to the route. Gabby, Gabby, they call me. Everyone else gets out of the van and Gene and I are the only ones left. He stops and says this is the end of the line. We look around and see no ship. Nothing is familiar. We babble on and on in English and he babbles back in Turkish and we can tell he is saying, “This is it, folks. Out you go.” So we get out and get enough information from a passerby to fine a pier with a sign for Karakoy. To absolutely every person we came in contact with requesting payment and pushing up forward, we explained and pointed to our map to make sure this ferry was headed to the correct continent and correct port. So after a ½ hour we docked in Karakoy, but not where we expected! The fish markets and the local vendors with household items were around us so we ended up buying a leather belt for $3.50 and an electrical converter for $4! Following the tram tracks we were soon at the ship with enough time to re-board to get the computer and head back to Starbucks for ½ hour online and board the ship before our sailaway.
One little letter seems to make all the difference in the world as to which continent you end up on. Hhhmmmm.

Just found a description for Kadikoy: On the Asian side where you will find plenty of nice and expensive residential areas near parks and tree-lined streets. A less chaotic atmosphere than the European side, plenty of nice cafes, shops, restaurants, bars, etc.

We enjoyed the sail through the Bosphorus Sea past all the stately summer homes, mosques, churches, bridges and mountains but it was getting foggy. The fog finally took over but we know we have another chance for our return trip from the Black Sea to the Bosphorus to the Mediterranean in about a week’s time.

Shirley Dominguez, from Uruguary, played the Paraguayan harp in “When the Harp Goes Latin” with an upbeat program.

Happy Birthday, Joyce!!!

“Nothing great has been, and nothing great can be accomplished without passion.” – G.W.F. Hegel

April 18, 2010 – At Sea in the Black Sea
This is the area of most interest to us when we decided to book this cruise. We have not been in the Black Sea and will visit Sochi Russia, Batumi Georgia and Trabzon and Sinop Turkey.

Slept late – moved the clocks ANOTHER hour ahead so we are eight hours ahead of Delaware – played crazy golf and ring toss to win some dollars – had lunch with friends – walked around the deck – worked – Production show “Let’s Dance”.

More gifts from Holland America! Tonight we celebrated the 137th birthday of the cruise line! Birthday cake, a commemorative ceramic mug, watercolor postcards of some of the fleet’s ships and a stuffed dolphin are some of the presents we have been given in the past few days!!

“It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument.” - William G. McADoo