Istanbul’s ferries: A gateway to heaven
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hurriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 25, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - There are few better ways to unwind than being aboard a ferry crossing between two continents sipping on tea and nibbling at a simit while the gentle breeze of the Bosphurus wafts across one’s face. This mode of transport in Istanbul can be used to commute to work or as it is for many just to get away from all the crowds
Holding onto the railing, one’s hair blowing in the wind, feeling a fine spray of water on one’s skin while taking in some of the world’s most spectacular views, one wonders, can life be any better?
A lot has changed Ğ certainly the scenery and the boats - since the first ferry transported Istanbul residents or rather "Stambouli" then, across the Bosporus in 1837. Brought in by a Russian and a British shipping agency, the ferries replaced the paddleboats formerly used to travel from one side to the other. What hasn’t changed for more than 170 years is that even then the ferries weren’t just a method of transport; they were to be enjoyed. From the very beginning, both local residents and visitors took the ferries to relax while sipping Turkish tea served in tulip shaped tea glasses and taking in the stunning sights.
Someone with an even better view than most is Sedat Bostan, one of the many captains working the ferries and catamarans around Istanbul. The stately looking, elegantly gray-haired man’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his profession. And that, even though it wasn’t his first choice. "I was a hairdresser and wanted to open my own salon," he says. With no money to match his desire and ambition, the then-20 year old started working on the boats after he left the army. Originally from the Black Sea, it didn’t take long for his love of the sea to reawaken. "I’m passionate about my job. I get to see beautiful places and meet lots of different people."
Bostan is one of the many men and women employed by IDO Ğ short for Istanbul Denizotobüs Ğ to ensure smooth sailing for the close to 100 ferries. Besides the beloved traditional ferries Ğ 32 for passengers and 18 for passengers and cars Ğ the company owns 25 catamaran commuters, eight fast ferries, seven motorboats and one cruiser, taking passengers and vehicles to ports across Istanbul and further afield. In 2007 the number of passengers reached 100 million passengers and six million cars, buses, motorbikes and trucks. The newest addition to IDO’s fleet are sea taxis, which are a great option, especially during Istanbul’s rush hours; which is almost all the time.
Trip between continents
The most popular ferry routes in Istanbul are the one across the Bosphorus, from Europe to Asia, or the other way round. Be it to get across for work, to visit friends, to do business on board or to simply enjoy the view, the trip between two continents is an experience every time. Sitting on the yellow and green old-style ferries, sipping some hot tea and nibbling on a simit bought just before hopping onto the ferry, has a soothing and relaxing effect. Listening to the sound of the waves slap against the prow, watching the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Maiden Tower move across one’s field of vision make the world’s problems seem to fade away. And all of that for 1.30 Turkish Liras.
Despite competition over the years Ğ first from the two bridges built across the Bosphorus and, possibly soon, from the Marmara Project Ğ ferries in Istanbul will always have a future. While IDO is working hard to make the ferries as attractive as possible by introducing Internet access onboard and by allowing ticket sales via mobile phones and the Internet, the success of Istanbul’s ferries lies somewhere else: For it’s on water, aboard a ferry, that one can forget the stress, the hurry, the traffic and the hectic activities associated with living in a city like Istanbul, and rediscover its beauty.
A lot has changed Ğ certainly the scenery and the boats - since the first ferry transported Istanbul residents or rather "Stambouli" then, across the Bosporus in 1837. Brought in by a Russian and a British shipping agency, the ferries replaced the paddleboats formerly used to travel from one side to the other. What hasn’t changed for more than 170 years is that even then the ferries weren’t just a method of transport; they were to be enjoyed. From the very beginning, both local residents and visitors took the ferries to relax while sipping Turkish tea served in tulip shaped tea glasses and taking in the stunning sights.
Someone with an even better view than most is Sedat Bostan, one of the many captains working the ferries and catamarans around Istanbul. The stately looking, elegantly gray-haired man’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his profession. And that, even though it wasn’t his first choice. "I was a hairdresser and wanted to open my own salon," he says. With no money to match his desire and ambition, the then-20 year old started working on the boats after he left the army. Originally from the Black Sea, it didn’t take long for his love of the sea to reawaken. "I’m passionate about my job. I get to see beautiful places and meet lots of different people."
Bostan is one of the many men and women employed by IDO Ğ short for Istanbul Denizotobüs Ğ to ensure smooth sailing for the close to 100 ferries. Besides the beloved traditional ferries Ğ 32 for passengers and 18 for passengers and cars Ğ the company owns 25 catamaran commuters, eight fast ferries, seven motorboats and one cruiser, taking passengers and vehicles to ports across Istanbul and further afield. In 2007 the number of passengers reached 100 million passengers and six million cars, buses, motorbikes and trucks. The newest addition to IDO’s fleet are sea taxis, which are a great option, especially during Istanbul’s rush hours; which is almost all the time.
Trip between continents
The most popular ferry routes in Istanbul are the one across the Bosphorus, from Europe to Asia, or the other way round. Be it to get across for work, to visit friends, to do business on board or to simply enjoy the view, the trip between two continents is an experience every time. Sitting on the yellow and green old-style ferries, sipping some hot tea and nibbling on a simit bought just before hopping onto the ferry, has a soothing and relaxing effect. Listening to the sound of the waves slap against the prow, watching the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Maiden Tower move across one’s field of vision make the world’s problems seem to fade away. And all of that for 1.30 Turkish Liras.
Despite competition over the years Ğ first from the two bridges built across the Bosphorus and, possibly soon, from the Marmara Project Ğ ferries in Istanbul will always have a future. While IDO is working hard to make the ferries as attractive as possible by introducing Internet access onboard and by allowing ticket sales via mobile phones and the Internet, the success of Istanbul’s ferries lies somewhere else: For it’s on water, aboard a ferry, that one can forget the stress, the hurry, the traffic and the hectic activities associated with living in a city like Istanbul, and rediscover its beauty.