Gallipoli Monument as viewed from the deck on the ms Prinsendam, sailing through the Dardanelles
Around 7 am this morning the Prinsendam entered the Bosporus Strait that separates Asia and Europe through Istanbul, and connects the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. We got up on the top deck to enjoy the view, take photos, and hear the port lecturer’s commentary. After seeing Istanbul’s monuments on the tour six days ago, it is fascinating to see them from the water.
The Bosporus is very narrow and curved, and packed with cruise ships, shipping containers, ferries and small boats. It took about one and a half hours to transit the strait before the ship entered the Sea of Marmara.
Around 2:30 in the afternoon, the Prinsendam entered the Dardanelles. Again the port lecturer and Captain Turner provided commentary.
About 4:30 pm, we passed the area of Gallipoli where we could see the Allied and Turkish monuments commemorating the World War I battlefield. We were watching from the promenade deck with our new friends from New Zealand, John and Maureen. John pointed out one of the hills near Gallipoli, and mentioned that his grandfather was buried there in the Commonwealth Cemetery. Several years ago on a ground tour, John was able to locate his grave.
This was the last formal night on the cruise. Colleen, one of the cruise staffers, joined our table. We had a terrific evening with our fun tablemates!