Istanbul

I've just been in Istanbul for a week with work. During this time we popped over to Asia and visited the Turkish Hydrographic Office.

I hadn't realised but Piri Reis is their local hero.

And I'm not surprised with a chart like this.

I was delighted to have been presented with an English translation of his chart.

The Turkish HO is positioned on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. With views like this I'm gobsmacked they manage to get any work done.

We spent a good while watching the tankers come down from the Black Sea.

Back to geeky bits. A display in the Turkish office.

My oceanographic vibes woke up with these...

But I really got excited (OK, sadly) by these light shades!