Istanbul is my favorite city in the world. And one of my great loves are the old ferries that go across and up and down the Bosporus. During my last visit, in October of 2016, I took one of the ferries out to the Princess Island, a day trip to one of the city’s real treats. Cars aren’t allowed there, and people go about in Phaetons or horse-drawn carriages like in the old days. The boat ride itself is the main treat, but when you get there you can have a nice lunch, walk around, and catch the next ferry back. It’s a great half-day trip. But the old ships like this one are quickly being replaced by modern ferries that don’t even look much like boats. I know the new ones are safer and more efficient and probably less polluting, but I still have a real nostalgia for these boats, and when they’re all gone, I don’t think I’ll ride in any more. It just won’t be the same.