Incredible Istanbul

    25 March 2014

Bosphorus Strait

We left for Nikolayev, Ukraine. Its a couple of days sailing from Novorossiysk. We stayed 3-4 days there for loading. But there was war going between Ukraine and Russia, so we stayed on board. After loading our discharge port was Lahad Datu, Malaysia.

In our way we crossed Istanbul in the night. It is a beautiful city. Most of the crew came out to see the picturesque view. Those were the first most awesome scenes I saw after joining. There were bridges, houses, forts, Mosques and what not. The most noticeable were The Rumeli Fortress and The Blue Mosque. My Ukrainian 2nd Engineer showed me some ancient monuments. Others were busy taking photographs. It lasted for almost 2 hours which  were more than enough for us to enjoy the scenic beauty.

Later we crossed Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Suez canal, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Our clock advance from +3 GMT to +8 GMT. Engine room temperature started soaring from a pleasant 25 degrees to sweltering hot 43 degree Celsius.We anchored at Singapore for bunkering and provisions. It is one of the most busiest sea port of the world.
                 While in mid ocean you can't see anything except you and the sea, here there were hundreds of ships clustered around. Most of them anchored like us and others passing by.
   After a day long tight schedule, we again started and were on our way to Malaysia at full away.

The Rumelli Fort