Turkbalon

When I heard that the subject of this event was elevation, Turkbalon in Kadikoy was the first place that came to my mind. Kadikoy is a busy business center on the Asia side of the Bosphorus Straight in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkbalon is located on a wharf on the Kadikoy coast. Although the balloon is closed for renovations, I got permission to climb up on the platform to take a panorama.

This balloon carries 30 people and one pilot. The diameter of the balloon is 22 meters, and it rises to a height of 200 meters; therefore, locals and tourists can enjoy a 15 minute, 360 degree view of the beautiful city of Istanbul and its surrounding sub cities. From the top you can see the Haydarpasa train station, the Kadikoy ferry port, Princess Island, and the entire Bosphorus waterway. Furthermore, one can see great landmarks on the Europe side including the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.

For more information about the Turkbalon, visit their website at http://www.turkbalon.net . The balloon can be reserved for celebrations, inaugurations, and ceremonies.

Europe / Turkey

Lat: 40° 59' 27.8" N
Long: 29° 1' 8.64" E

Elevation: nearly 50 ft.

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: High. Pinpoints the exact spot.

Photographed with my Canon A640 and Nikon FC-E9 fisheye lens, mounted on a bophoto pano bracket for Nikon FC-E9, stitched in PT-gui, QTVR file created using PanoCube.