J, my buddy Gloucester and I had a nice, leisurely brunch in Bebek, overlooking the Bosphorus, then met up with another friend, who is a paid-up member of the club on Galatasaray Island, which is described breathlessly on its website as "one of the most prominent landmarks of the city". There, we basked in the sun, drank smoothies made from fresh kiwis, and swam in the saltwater pool. I think J was suitably impressed - read her professional writerly descriptions here. The views from the island are spectacular; when the day was done, it was tough to return to The Mainland.