Prince Islands: Buyukada

My friend Ben Schapiro connected me with JJ, his friend from the Peace Corps. JJ is living in Istanbul on the Europe side.  I called her just after noon and planned to meet up with for dinner, at 9PM, under Galata Tower.

In the meantime Gulsen met me in Uskudur to tour a bit.  She and I made a quick decision to go to the Prince Islands.  I had no background information on what to expect. All I knew was we were going to the largest of the islands, Buyukada.  While we sat on the boat I read in 569 Justin II built a royal palace on Buyukada. During the Byzantine times the island had become infamous as a place of exile, and also a place of many monasteries.

Gulsen and I spent a quick hour on the island.  We rented bikes and rode up the steep hills through neighborhood.  Motor vehicles are frowned upon on the islands. When we got to the top we cooled off and enjoyed an incredible view of the Sea of Marmara. I will have to make a day trip to this island, so I may go biking more.  I would have loved to zip through the streets and down the steep hills. While biking we crossed paths with a very scary looking building.  I told Gulsen it must be haunted.  She had found out later is was a orphanage.  After we returned the bikes we rushed to the boat.  Getting on was exciting - Gulsen and I held hands while we squeezed through the crowd and onto the boat.  I made a quick move to find us seats for the long hour and a half return to Istanbul.

Once we arrived back in Istanbul,Gulsen took me trough Taksim Square, down Istiklal Avenue to Galata Tower where I met up with JJ.

Heading to Buyukada Island

 Entering Downtown Buyukada

 A Top Buyukada

 Run-Down Orphanage