Island Hopping in the Sea of Marmara

Another day we went to the Princes Islands - there are 4 of them situated in the Marmara Sea but we only went to 3.  We learnt very quickly that getting around using public transport was the cheapest way to go and probably the fastest.  We looked at bus trips and saw we could pay 70 euros for us to see one of the Islands with a tour guide or do it ourselves and see three for about 10 euros each.  So off we went.  These are the islands where the rich have their holiday homes and many others come to the beaches for a swim during the summer. Our first stop was Kinaliada, a very quiet town at this time of year, almost ghostly in atmosphere.  No cars on the streets (no cars for private use on any of the islands) and we were accompanied by cats and dogs (who walked with you but ignored us at the same time) as we wandered around the deserted roads.  Here we saw lots of old wooden houses on their last piles, a sports ground untouched by a football in a while, play areas with modern gym type equipment but no children to use (so we had a go), closed shops and rows of trestle tables that gave the impression of summer time stalls. Closed for spring!

Then on to Heybeliada - a bit busier with horse and carriages ready to take you for a ride round the streets that we walked.  A few more people some electric tricycles and scooters to help the shop owner carry their wares and a few builders vans.  Here were more modern low rise apartment blocks, about 4 stories high with ingenious outside barbeques on the porches - each apartment sharing the chimney with the apartments below and above. Lots more dogs and cats and a bit more activity with shops selling cheap toys and other things to tempt the tourist.  More derelict houses but some done up and looking very smart.

Buyukada was our last stop and we thought we would spend more time here - bigger more to see - but it was full of people and felt like we were back in the busy streets of Istanbul.  More shops, horse and carriages, carts to carry goods, lots of cafes, icecream stalls and restaurants so we found a bakery, ate a picnic in the park and caught the ferry back.