Saturday 18^th June – Ataköy, Istanbul (Galata Bridge, Golden Horn)

40:58.262N 28:52.579E

This morning we refuelled Pyxis; the marinaros ran us and our fuel cans around to the marina fuel station in their rib and we now have a full diesel tank and some spare fuel in cans.  We also topped up the water tanks and washed down the deck.  After lunch we had a walk around to the nearby shopping centre to pick up a few provisions along with a new electric kettle as ours has finally given up after many years of faithful service.

Late afternoon we took the bus into town and went to the Galata Bridge itself which spans the Golden Horn (Haliç) estuary.  The pavements either side of the roadway were lined with fishermen shoulder-to-shoulder, all catching tiny mackerel-looking fish (suspect they are small mackerel) about 3-4 inches long.  Below the roadway, there are restaurants and bars all along the under section of the bridge.  As the fishermen’s lines hang down past the lower level, it was fun to see one of the passers-by tug on a line and the fisherman’s reaction as he thought he had a fish.

Either side of the bridge are ferry terminals and the whole waterway is churned up with ferries constantly coming and going at high speed, narrowly missing each other – great spectator sport.

We selected one of the restaurants and I had a fish burger (fresh bread with a grilled mackerel filet and salad in it), traditional fare for this area of Istanbul it seems as all the restaurants were serving it.

Galata Bridge, Golden Horn

© Pyxis 2011