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Cruising the Bosphorus in Istanbul

Cruising the Bosphorus

Trip Over to Istanbul

The Bosphorus is the magnificent body of water that separates Europe from Asia, cutting straight through Istanbul, the only city in the world to span two continents. Giving access from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, it has a constant stream of cargo ships passing through, with the ferries that cross from the European side to the Asian side dancing between them as if it was all choreographed.

There are a few tour operators running cruises, so the best idea is to walk down to Eminonu just off the Galata Bridge and have a look at the timetables to see which one suits you. The long cruise leaves Eminonu at around 10.30am, passing by all the Istanbul landmarks, palaces and the old Ottoman Yali summer houses perched on the edge of the Bosphorus, going all the way up to Anadolu Kavagi near the Black Sea, then returning getting you back to Eminonu at about 4.30pm. Get to the wharf in plenty of time to get your ticket, then make sure you get the seat you want. My favourite spot on cruises is always outside, undercover (if possible) at the back.

As the ferry pulls away from the wharf you get a great view of Galata Bridge – traffic, fishermen and pedestrians on the top level, many fish restaurants on the lower level, and ferries passing under the middle to make their way up the Golden Horn. From the ferry you can see all the Mosques on the hill up towards the Grand Bazaar, and just across the road from the Eminonu Ferry stop is the New Mosque, called the ‘New Mosque’ because it is – built in the second half of the 17th century – the others were built much earlier! The Suleymaniye Mosque was finished in 1557, the Rustem Pasha Mosque finished around 1563, the Blue Mosque around 1616, so the New Mosque really is quite new, opening its doors in 1665.

You also get a different view of Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, then as the ferry turns you pass Karakoy you can still see the Gatata Tower always on the lookout over the city. The Istanbul Modern Art Gallery doesn’t look so impressive from the water, but inside it is quite a different story. They give you a map onboard so you can identify what you are looking at, and all the traffic that uses this magnificent water way is all very interesting from the tiny fishing boats, to the many pilot boats that take the pilots out to guide the giants of the sea safely through the shipping lanes. But I saw no sailing boats, of any size. Maybe it was too early in the season for them – maybe they sail somewhere else…………




Looking at Dolmabahce Palace from the water shows how enormous it is, this is where the Sultans moved to with their Harem after they felt the need for an upgrade from Topkapi Palace. The white and gold fence along the water’s edge goes on forever, with exquisite gates to open when the Sultan’s boat pulls in. Just as impressive to look at from the water as visiting the gardens and inside the Palace. Behind it, the Ritz Carlton Hotel towers up into the sky, we had a few fantastic Sunday brunches there, a very relaxing way to spend a few too many hours!

After passing Dolmabahce Palace, then the Maritime Museum, the next collection of buildings are all either 5-star hotels or part of Istanbul University, which is an interesting area to walk around. Just before you go under the Bosphorus Bridge, opened in 1973, on the European side of the water is the very elegant Ortakoy Mosque. The next bridge spanning the Bosphorus, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, opened in 1988, looks very similar to the Bosphorus Bridge, I guess they thought, “If it works, duplicate it!”

Then you come to the Fort of Europe, also known as Rumelihisari Castle, built in the mid 1400s to monitor use of the Bosphorus and prevent attacks on Constantinople coming from the East. Having completed his fortresses, Mehmed proceeded to levy a toll on ships passing within reach of their cannon. A Venetian vessel ignoring signals to stop was sunk with a single shot from the canon and all the surviving sailors were beheaded, except for the captain, who was impaled and mounted as a human scarecrow as a warning to further sailors that they mean it.

The ferry makes a few stops along the way on either side of the Bosphorus to pick up and set down passengers, then stops at Anadolu Kavagi on the Asian side, where you can get off, walk up the very steep hill through the very pretty village to the ruined medieval castle. There is limited access, (let’s say none), to the castle as they are doing archeaological digs to find out more about its Byzantine origins. From here you can see way out into the Black Sea to where the black smog hangs in the air from all the shipping tankers. The supports were in place for another bridge to cross the Bosphorus, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, a slightly different design to the other two bridges, but only very slightly.

After walking back down to the village we still had time for a delicious seafood lunch in one of the restaurants along the water’s edge before boarding the ferry again for the trip back. We chose a restaurant to the far left (as you get off) of the ferry stop, a nice table in the shade, no one wanted that table as they all wanted to sit in full sun – not something I have any desire to do. The waiter was very apologetic that he had no more tables in sun, but for us it was perfect.

Having spent the trip up the Bosphorus taking many photos is was nice on the way back to just look, and of course snap a few pics of the seagulls that fly along with you hoping to be fed a few crumbs by the passengers. Of course we had to take photos of the majestic mansions and some in a terrible state, in need of a lot of care, and there were a few more palaces that were able to sneak into the lens. A fantastic, relaxing day out on the water flitting from Europe to Asia and back again.

Book a tour on your Trip Over to Istanbul

Itinerary for Trip Over to Istanbul

Flew from Sydney to Istanbul via Dubai, with Qantas/Emirates.

Stayed in an apartment near Galata Tower for a month – rented through Istanbul Place Apartments.

The apartment came with 2 transport cards, that we just needed to top up and we had tickets for all trams, funiculars and the metro.

Istanbul Place Apartments arranged for us to be picked up at the airport on arrival, and taken back at the end of our holiday.

Thevlakevin Regent`s Park, London. With weeping willows, ducks and seagulls enjoying the park as much as the people walking around the lake.
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Hampers full of Christmas cheer in the window display @fortnums on Piccadilly.
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Upstairs in Fortnum & Mason on London`s Piccadilly, in the beautifully decked out china and hampers area.
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Fortnums hampers full of chocolates in the Christmas window display on Piccadilly, you can never have too much chocolate!!
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One of the Royal parks in London for some time out from the hustle and bustle.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #londonparksandgardens #royalparksandgardens #londonwalks
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Christmas decorations in front a shelves full of black and white checked McKenzie Child teapots, kettles, aprons and all sorts of lovely things in Fortnum & Mason on London`s Piccadilly.
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Exploring St James`s in London, there are many little lane ways, visit them all and see what is to be discovered.
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#stjamess #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #exploringlondon #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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Darling Harbour from Pyrmont Bridge, looking very tropical on a Sydney spring day.
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In the Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason, the turkey is ready with all the trimmings.
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Inside Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, their famous hampers, cups and saucers, teapots, tea cosies, and all the Fortnums goodies you can dream of.
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Pickering Place is London`s smallest public square, located in St James`s not far from St Jame`s Palace, home to London`s oldest wine merchants Berry Bros, it feels a but like you are walking into someone`s private courtyard.
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Bondi Beach with tge Bondi Pavilion in the top right corner of the photo. I love tge colours of the water swirling off the rocks, it looks inviting, but I understand it`s quite treacherous.
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Waiting at McMahon`s Point for the ferry to Circular Quay, lovely day for it, blue sky, blue water, what more can you ask for on a weekend.
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#sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyferries #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneyoperahouse #sydney_insta #sydneylife #sydneyweekends #bluesky #bluewater #outandabout #exploretheworldwithme #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneycbd
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Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, all decked out as an Advent Calendar for Christmas. Fortnums is definitely one of my favourite stores in London, but trying to get inside on Christmas Eve was impossible!!
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #adventcalendar @fortnums #piccadilly #oneofmyfavouritethings #localgrocerystore #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasshoppingtime #londonvibes #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londonstyle #londontrip #londonlover #londonchristmas #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme
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A day out in Sydney, catching a ferry across the harbour then heading out to Bondi Beach and walking around the headland looking at Sculpture by the Sea.
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#sydney #sydneyaustralia
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The Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason all festive with baubles, lights and chocolates, even the reflection of the Christmas angel lights above Piccadilly showd in the window.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschocolates #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmas #piccadilly #christmasangel #christmasbaubles #christmasdecorations #windowshopping #oneofmyfavouritethings #lovelondon #seetheworldthroughmylens #londonlandmarks #londontrip
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After a few years of not being able to hold the annual Sculpture by the Sea along the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama......it`s back!!!
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk
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As my ferry pulled in to Circular Quay I saw this new sculpture near Government House in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturegarden #artinpublicplaces #governmenthousesydney #royalbotanicgardenssydney #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #bluewater #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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Sculpture by the Sea returned to the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk this year after it`s Covid hiatus. This one is my favourite.....
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#sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #sydneyinspring #clearbluewater #pacificocean #sunnyday #explorethecityyoulivein
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Another sculpture gleaming in the sunshine at Sculpture by the Sea on the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Tamarama, looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
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#sculpturebythesea #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #pacicocean #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinpublicplaces #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyparks #sydneywalks #exploretheworld #seekandyoushallfind
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The water receeds around the edges of Tunks Park under Long Gully Bridge, but there seems to be another downpour forecast next week, so itbis likely to go under again. But look how green the grass is!!!
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#tunksparksydney #tunksparkwalk #tunkspark #longgullybridge #longgully #greengrass #parkunderwater #aftertherain #sydney #sydneyparks #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #myhometown
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From the National Maritime Museum in Sydney behind the boats in the foreground you can see the masts on the replica Endeavour, on the right are the glass towers in Barangaroo.
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#theendeavour #sydneymaritimemuseum #australiannationalmaritimemusem #barangaroo #darlingharboursydney #tallships #sailingboats #sailonsydneyharbour #glasstowers #sydneyharbour #blueskywhiteclouds #visitthemuseum #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneylocal #myhometown #traveltheworldwithme
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The Endeavour at the National Maritime Museum of Australia. It`s a replica, but a very good one. You can go onboard and take a look around - all those ropes, how did they cope?
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#nationalmaritimemuseum @sea.museum #maritimemuseum #endeavour #theendeavour #tallship #darlingharbour #sydney #barangaroo #outonthewater #sydneyharbour #thewayitusedtobe #sydneylife #blueskyandsunshine #seetheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
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Between down pours, Tunks Psrk continued to fill with water. Lucky someone thought to put the "Ground Closed" sign in the middle of the cricket ground 🤣 I think anyone who turned up to play would have realised after wading through knee deep water on to the sodden grass that it wouldn`t work out!😂
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#tunkspark #floodedpark #waterwatereverywhere #greengrass #aftertgerain #walkinthepark #sydneyinspring #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #cricketground #toowettoplay #waterviews
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Bright floral arrangement in the David Jones Spring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #elizabethststore #sydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers #sydneylocal #sydneystyle #sydneycbd #flowers #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere #notthechelseaflowershow
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Even the tiny little alley/pathway to London`s smallest public square has a proper street sign!
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#londonstreetsign #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #londonvibes #londonlife #londontrip #london_city_photo #londonlandmarks #londonwalks #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londontravel #londonlover #londonhistory #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind #traveltheworldwithme
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At the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge, one of the old sandstone pylons dwarfed by highrise towers now all around the Darling Harbour area.
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#pyrmontbridge #pyrmontbridgesydney #sydney #sydneyinwinter #darlingharbour #sydneycbd #lunchtimewalk #blueskyandsunshine #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneylocal
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The Darling Harbour Ferris Wheel, surrounded by the highrise jungle that is developing in that area, not a person in site!! Yet another soulless enclave!
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#ferriswheel #darlingharboursydney #darlingharbour #nopeeps #nopeepshere #soulless #highriseinvasion #highrisejungle #lunchtimewalk #sydneyinwinter #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneyaustralia
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At the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Lego model of the bow of the Titanic heading down to the ocean floor, with the two funnels breaking away.
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The Red Lion pub in St James`s, one of the old workers pubs, also made a name for itself as a Gin Palace. Apparently holds the 2nd oldest licence in the West End, having been around forvover 200 years!
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#redlion #redlionpub #mayfairpub #stjamess #crownpassage #exploringlondon #seekandyoushallfind #londonlife #londontrip #londonwalks #london_enthusiast #londonlover #londontravel #londonhistory #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
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A final check on the recipe for the Christmas pud, making surectgatvlast drop of magic is in there. All part of the amazing Fortnum & Mason Christmas window display on Piccadilly in London.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #windowshopping #windowtotheworld #london #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonstyle #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasatfortnums #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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The trick is to go on Christmas Day to take photos of the lights, not Christmas Eve!! There are 75% less people doing the same thing!!
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#london #christmaslights
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My favourite of this years Sculpture by the Sea on the Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk.
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #sculpture #artinpublicplaces #artoftravel #bluewater #bluesky #sydneyaustralia #sydneyinsummer #sydneylife #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #sydneycoastalwalk #sydneyphotographer #sydneystyle #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
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It`s a squirrels life, just sitting in a tree, eating a snack, looking over the lake and watching the world go by.....in Regent`s Park in London.
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#squirrel #squirrelsofinstagram #squirrellife #squirrelinatree #regentsparklondon #royalparks #royalparksandgardens #regentspark #walkinthepark #londonlife #londonparks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
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In the mid 1800s, Pickering Place was the home to the Embassy of the Republic of Texas before Texas became part of the United States of America. This plaque remains on the wall of the small lane leading to London`s smallest public square in St Jame`s.
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#texasembassy #texasembassylondon #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #exploringlondon #historiclondon #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #londontravel #traveltherapy #traveltheworldwithme #seekandyoushallfind
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The Christmas tree in Pickering Place, St James`s, London. These houses are now the offices for Berry Bros & Rudd, London`s oldest wine merchants.
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#pickeringplace #pickering #berrybrosandrudd #stjamess #christmasinlondon2022 #christmastree #exploringlondon #winemerchant #publicsquare #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londontravel #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything
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Another shell fullnof flowers at tge David Jones Soring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #flowerseverywhere #underwatertheme #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneycbd #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers
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High up on a rock on the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama, this `flying` sculpture even has a plane fkying past in the background.
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#sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #blueskyforever #highonarock #flypast #artinpublicplaces #explorethecityyoulivein #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydney_insta #seekandyoushallfind
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This was Christmas Eve outside Fortnum & Mason, it was raining, the store was packed with people - look at all the blue Fortnums bags!!! Plenty of last minute shopping going on!!
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@fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #christmaseve #fortnumschristmas #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon2022 #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #london #piccadilly #traveladdict
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Looking south towards Tamarama and Bronte Beaches, and all those people walking on the Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk to see Sculpture by the Sea.
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#bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #pacificocean #sculpturebythesea #bluewaterwaves #sydneylife #sydney #sydneyaustralia #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #outandabout
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The chocolate department at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly. So many delicious goodies to choose from - best to just buy at least one of each!!
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#fortnumandmason @fortnums #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschocolates #shoppinginlondon #piccadilly #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveladdict #londonlife #londontrip #londonatchristmastime
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Choppy day out on Sydney Harbour, as I caught the ferry from McMahons Point to Circular Quay, lots of boats around Fort Denison, Sydney`s eastern suburbs in the background.
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#sydneyharbour #fortdenison #sydneyferries #choppywater #sailingonsydneyharbour #boatsontheharbour #crossingtheharbour #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneywaterways #bluewater #seetheworldthroughmylens
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Passing the bow of HMAS Sydney, a WWl ship in the Australian Navy fleet. The bow of the ship sits on the edge of Sydney Harbour as a memorial to its successful battle in the Pacific.
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#sydneyferries #hmassydney #hmassydneymemorial #milsonspoint #sydneyharbour #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #palmtrees #outontheharbour #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind #bluewater
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A twisted woiden sculpture on show on the rocks not far from Bondi Beach on the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama.
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#sculpturebythesea #sulptureontheshore #artinpublicplaces #sculptureart #sculpture #woodengardenart #woodensculpture #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #bonditotamarama #explorethecityyoulivein #ontherocks #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
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A swan and a few ducks on the lake in London`s Regents Park, enjoying a moment in the winter sun.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #swansandducks #swansandducksofinstagram #swanlake #outonthelake #reflectiononwater #walkinthepark #londonparks #london #londontrip #londonwalks #londontravel #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind
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