No smart phones, no social media. Life was quite different when we entered the 21st century but we have come so far. Humanity has pushed the limits of the blue frontier through ground-breaking inventions and sadly, sometimes with catastrophes. A century of advancements, failures, and bold aspirations, the kind of things that would cause…
Espresso with boiled water is called Americano, right? What about the first coffee shop in the world? Do you know where and when it was opened? If you think you are a coffee geek, think twice. By the way, the answer is İstanbul, 16th century. Can you imagine a life without coffee? Most people…
Dreaming of the past, when our forefathers sailed across unknown waters using only the stars for navigation and whose craft was flimsy in comparison to modern mechanical wonders, brings a unique sense of excitement. Beyond imagination, however, a few courageous people have made it their goal to personally go on these antiquated odysseys. Let’s…
Santos, a port city rich in Brazilian cultural legacy and maritime history, is located on the country’s southeast coast. Santos is still the biggest and busiest port in Latin America, despite not having the glitz of Rio or the metropolitan sprawl of São Paulo. This distinction has been there for more than a century.…
Mersin is the next stop on this journey to port cities. Mersin, one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean, has an intriguing call with its historical and visual richness. History of Mersin There are two commonly acknowledged theories regarding the origin of the name Mersin. Firstly, the Myrtus-Mersin tree, which…
Who of us is not intrigued by the world records? The epitome of engineering and ingenuity, these maritime brutes have etched their names into the watery fabric of history. Let’s learn about them. First Vessel The oldest known vessel is a pine logboat, also known as a dugout, which was discovered in Pesse,…
Bride of the Mediterranean is our next destination on our journey to the port cities. Named after its founder Alexander the Great, the city is the cradle of history and trade. In Alexandria, the past and present coexist harmoniously. Let’s explore the city and its historic port. History of Port of Alexandria …
For Turkish people, 1 July is not just any day; it’s the major celebration known as Cabotage Day, a colourful tribute to maritime sovereignty celebrated with devotion. What is Cabotage? The word “cabotage” may conjure up images for those who are unfamiliar with it. However, the term which comes from the French “caboter”…
We know it with glamour, fame, and joy, but the City of Angels is also a port city. Los Angeles, which is tucked away along Southern California’s scenic coast, has a rich maritime history entwined with its famous cultural sites and exciting activities. This time we peel back the layers of Los Angeles to reveal…
Vietnam, whose name immediately conjures images of the wars it has endured, has one of Southeast Asia’s most robust economies today. Named for its leader, Ho Chi Minh City is a cultural melting pot and the commercial hub of Vietnam, situated along the banks of the Saigon River. Its character is irrevocably marked by the…