ISTANBUL 3 (Oct. 9, Topkapi and boat trip)

0-From left: Gulhane Park, Archaeological Museum, Topkapi Palace, Kennedy Expressway, Sea of Marmara.

1-Topkapi, looking back through the Imperial Gate (entrance to the first courtyard). The Blue Mosque can be seen in the distance, through the archway.

2-Topkapi, the walkway from the Imperial Gate to the Gate of Salutations (entrance to the Palace)

3-Topkapi Palace, Gate of Salutations

4-Topkapi Palace, Gate of Salutations

5-Topkapi Palace, Divan. The viziers of the imperial council met here.

6-Topkapi Palace, Library of Ahmet III, 1719, a marble building in the third courtyard.

7-Topkapi Palace, Library of Ahmet III, 1719. This ornamental fountain is set into the wall below the main entrance. The entry door is at the top, between the columns, above and behind this fountain. Stairs ascend from each side.

8-Topkapi Palace, Library of Ahmet III. From the entry door looking out to the fountain and the third courtyard.

9-Topkapi, Harem. A labryinth of exquisite rooms where the sultan's wives and concubines lived.

10-Topkapi, Harem wash basin

11-Topkapi, Harem window

12-Topkapi, Eunichs' quarters

13-Topkapi, a plaque in the first courtyard

14-Topkapi, minarets seen from Haghia Eirene (right), a 6th century Byzantine church that was never converted to a mosque.

15-The Serenade, our sturdy craft for the boat trip up the Bosphorus

16-Starting the afternoon boat trip, Galata Tower and Karaköy

17-Galata Tower and Karaköy

18-Eastward leaving the Golden Horn and turning north and up the Bosphorus

19-Up the Bosphorus

20-The Bosphorus at Ortaköy: Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque

21-Bosphorus at Ortaköy

22-Four Seasons Hotel

23-Dolmabahçe Palace

24-Dolmabahçe Palace

25-Asia side, seen from under the Bosphorus Bridge.

26-Only occasional park land along the Bosphorus shore. This is Cemil Topuzlu Park.

27-Kuruçeshme

28-Çamlica Hill, view interrupted by Neptune Lines.

29-Asian side, beachfront houses

30-Asian side, beachfront houses

31-Bebek, Bosphorus waterfront community

32-Bebek, Bosphorus waterfront community

33-Rumeli Fortress (Fortress of Europe)

34-Onboard amenities

35-Bebek, Rumeli Fortress, and E-80 Bridge

36-Rumeli Fortress, E-80 Bridge

37-Stalled traffic on Fatih Sultan Mehmet E-80 Bridge

38-Traffic stalled on E-80 Bridge

39-Rumeli Fortress

40-Rumeli Fortress. We've now passed under the bridge and are turning around and heading south to harbor at Eminonu.

41-On the Asian side, now heading south, this is the Kuleli Military College at Vaniköy.

42-Asian side, Vaniköy-Kuleli

43-Vaniköy-Kuleli restaurants, hotels

44-Asian side, Vaniköy-Kuleli