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Day 1, Thursday 3 October
Turkish Tour Section 2…….. Section 2 of the current tour starts with a period of transition. Three events need to happen beginning with an exit plan. There will be two more nights in Istanbul before departure for Ankara on Saturday. There are two travel options, by bus or by train. While the bus seems the more popular, my research reveals that the terminus for high-speed trains has been moved closer to the city than was originally the case. I decide to investigate that option first. Taking the tram to Sirkeci, I transfer to the Marmaray Line, initially taking the wrong train. After a couple of stops however, I reach Söğütlüçeşme where I get a timetable for the high-speed train to Ankara. Accepting we will have luggage; it still seems feasible especially having booked a hotel near the train station in Ankara.
Changing Rooms…….. Returning to Sultanamet Wooden House, I collect my belongings and head off on foot to my next accommodation more hopeful than before. This 20-minute trek with luggage is brought on by the lack of a taxi service through the narrow-cobbled streets of the old city. It proves not to be such a struggle as at first it seemed. After all I've made the trip before.
Arriving at Palmera Old City, I’m in for another shock. They’re not expecting me, the booking cancelled. Is this new beginning going to start the same way as the last? The issue again centres around my credit card. I’m aware by now that I’ve probably reached my credit limit but some of the balance on the card will clear automatically on the 2nd of October but that is obviously too late in this instance. Okay so what do I do now? Fortunately for me there is another face to deal with and in this case a far more helpful one. While Palmera Old City Hotel is fully booked now, it doesn’t take long for the manager to find another room at La Casa suite in the next block, even offering to take my luggage. It’s the same price but I’m apprehensive about what to expect.
La Casa Suite…….. The facade of La Casa Suite in these rather scruffy streets doesn’t fill me with reassurance but in the small lobby, the decor is pleasant enough and I settle up for a two-night stay. I’m told to wait 30 minutes while the room is being made up but then with expectations running in the red after my experience of the last few nights, I’m in for another shock. Well disappointments were two a penny in section 1 but it’s clearly payback time. Wow! What a room; modern spacious, beautifully furnished, elegant bathroom and a kitchen area on the ground floor. I’m over the moon with it.
Katoon arrives…….. My companion and dear girlfriend Katoon arrives at Istanbul International airport in the evening. My final chore for today is to head out to collect her. My route is the climb up to the tram station near the Grand Bazaar and proceed to Sultanamet Square the drop-off point for the IST-20 coach service for the airport. Taking no chances, I arrive at Istanbul airport at 6:15pm. The drop-off point is directly in front of the departure hall and I need to pass through security to get in. After an exploratory walk around, I head down to the arrivals hall and wait for the Oman service from Muscat to land which it does at 6:53pm. From experience the guide time is about 45 minutes to clear immigration, collect bags and pass through customs but on the hour mark I’m getting concerned. Then just as I head off to the information desk, I see her exiting the gate. Well there is still that tricky route back, but the relief is immense. The awkward journey by bus, tram and on foot can take the best part of two hours.
Turkish Tour Section 2…….. Section 2 of the current tour starts with a period of transition. Three events need to happen beginning with an exit plan. There will be two more nights in Istanbul before departure for Ankara on Saturday. There are two travel options, by bus or by train. While the bus seems the more popular, my research reveals that the terminus for high-speed trains has been moved closer to the city than was originally the case. I decide to investigate that option first. Taking the tram to Sirkeci, I transfer to the Marmaray Line, initially taking the wrong train. After a couple of stops however, I reach Söğütlüçeşme where I get a timetable for the high-speed train to Ankara. Accepting we will have luggage; it still seems feasible especially having booked a hotel near the train station in Ankara.
Changing Rooms…….. Returning to Sultanamet Wooden House, I collect my belongings and head off on foot to my next accommodation more hopeful than before. This 20-minute trek with luggage is brought on by the lack of a taxi service through the narrow-cobbled streets of the old city. It proves not to be such a struggle as at first it seemed. After all I've made the trip before.
Arriving at Palmera Old City, I’m in for another shock. They’re not expecting me, the booking cancelled. Is this new beginning going to start the same way as the last? The issue again centres around my credit card. I’m aware by now that I’ve probably reached my credit limit but some of the balance on the card will clear automatically on the 2nd of October but that is obviously too late in this instance. Okay so what do I do now? Fortunately for me there is another face to deal with and in this case a far more helpful one. While Palmera Old City Hotel is fully booked now, it doesn’t take long for the manager to find another room at La Casa suite in the next block, even offering to take my luggage. It’s the same price but I’m apprehensive about what to expect.
La Casa Suite…….. The facade of La Casa Suite in these rather scruffy streets doesn’t fill me with reassurance but in the small lobby, the decor is pleasant enough and I settle up for a two-night stay. I’m told to wait 30 minutes while the room is being made up but then with expectations running in the red after my experience of the last few nights, I’m in for another shock. Well disappointments were two a penny in section 1 but it’s clearly payback time. Wow! What a room; modern spacious, beautifully furnished, elegant bathroom and a kitchen area on the ground floor. I’m over the moon with it.
Katoon arrives…….. My companion and dear girlfriend Katoon arrives at Istanbul International airport in the evening. My final chore for today is to head out to collect her. My route is the climb up to the tram station near the Grand Bazaar and proceed to Sultanamet Square the drop-off point for the IST-20 coach service for the airport. Taking no chances, I arrive at Istanbul airport at 6:15pm. The drop-off point is directly in front of the departure hall and I need to pass through security to get in. After an exploratory walk around, I head down to the arrivals hall and wait for the Oman service from Muscat to land which it does at 6:53pm. From experience the guide time is about 45 minutes to clear immigration, collect bags and pass through customs but on the hour mark I’m getting concerned. Then just as I head off to the information desk, I see her exiting the gate. Well there is still that tricky route back, but the relief is immense. The awkward journey by bus, tram and on foot can take the best part of two hours.
L-R - The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), Istanbul Tramway, La Casa Suite
Settling In……..
Katoon must be shattered but she shows little sign of it. On arrival, the room at La Casa Suite seems to meet her approval and she is soon busy organising things, despite it being in the early hours of the morning in Thailand. That’s the three events concluded. In addition, I manage to buy something to put in the fridge and I’ve even managed to get some laundry done today which is waiting for me. The guys have provided glasses, plates and a kettle which allows us the flexibility for self-catering. Marks out of 10 today for logistics; well 8 out of 10 is a good score considering the challenges I’ve had to face. I end the day on a far more positive note. The transition is complete.
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