At the airport yet again (April 20, 2012), this time I'm heading to Istanbul, Turkey. QF 9 to London Heathrow must have half of Singapore on it as my upgrade to business class hasn't come through :( Fingers crossed it happens when I'm boarding.
I know the A380 holds a lot of people but wow this gate lounge is choc-a-block. And to make matters worse no upgrade. Grrr.
We land into London 30 minutes early at 5.10am local time, surprising as we were late leaving. Watching night turn into day is pretty magical.
I'm stuck by the cold as I step off the plane, even though the pilot had advised its 5 degrees. Please Turkey be warmer than this.
After changing terminals I have enough time for a shower and breakfast before boarding my 2nd of 3rd flights today. Everyone is wrapped up like they are off to Antarctica - I'm definitely the outsider!!
I was surprised by the amount of snow on the mountains, no wonder people are dressed for Antarctica.
We land around 45 minutes late into Istanbul due to the rain, it was fun circling for a few minutes then I got sick of the view! Thankfully I was towards the front of the plane do could run off and straight into a long and slow customs/immigration line. As a kiwi I don't need a visa, this saves me quite a lot of time.
I have a flight in 1 hour 20 minutes and am concerned I'm not going to make it. Won't be a good start to Prue and my Turkish adventure!! Due to the long wait my pack is waiting for me, phew one thing to go my way. Off I run to the domestic terminal.
It's wonderful to see Prue again! After catching my breath and getting rid of my pack we check in - all is good!
The short one hour flight leaves on time and unlike my arrival into Istanbul we are slot 4 to depart. To kick start the trip we have a beer, and within minutes of being given it we start our descent - nothing like skulking back. I was shocked at the number of people up out of their seats as soon as we land, crazy!
After collecting our bags we found the airline bus and took the last two seats - phew! An hour later we get into a taxi with a driver that won't speak a word. Finally the hotel appears - what a bloody mission I've had.
We meet our tour guide and a few other people on the tour before having dinner. We learn there are 23 people on our tour - fingers crossed its not a drink 24/7 tour.....I'm too old for this!
Sunday morning (22 April) I wake early, good old jet lag. We have a leisurely departure time of 9am - easy for me.
First stop on our tour is the Village of Sirince which is popular for its style of building and streets…..this should be interesting! They also make handmade fruit wines, now we are talking. It’s a nice small little village which definitely caters for the tourists – small market stores selling their knitted good (I’m thinking this will come in very handy at Anzac Cove); lots of wine stalls, souvenirs and of course food.
From here we head to Ephesus which our guide is telling us is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. I love wandering around the “streets” (which are mainly paved with marble) taking in all the sites – it would have been amazing many many years ago when it was all operational.
We are of course on a tour so I need to stress that the next stop wouldn’t have been my choice! It’s at a leather factory and for some very strange reason we are led into a room which is a catwalk…..no we are not at NY Fashion Week. No purchases from me thanks very much.
We end the day with a demonstration of the textile production, which is very famous in this region of Turkey. I do find it fascinating how the carpets are made but have no desire to be buying one to take with me.
Monday is basically a driving day, with one stop at the Acropolis Ruins of the ancient Greek City of Pergamon.
Our night is spent at Edremit at a really nice hotel with a pool J too cold for Prue and I to sleep though!! So instead we spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
Tuesday (April 24) we are up early and head to the ancient city of Troy. This is a famous archaeological and mythological site which is the home of the Trojan Horse – we are definitely not the only tour group here!!
From here we keep driving north and cross the Darenelles by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsula. More driving and finally we join a very very very long line of buses to enter Anzac Cove. It’s another super-hot day which I’ve realised will mean a cold night. Not good when we are spending the evening under the starts. After a quick sort out of our belongings we are off, although don’t get too far before having to get through security. The girls line is of course SOOO much longer! Thankfully the boys keep going to get us a spot (at the ANZAC Commemorative Site).
It’s a long night of waiting and trying to get some shuteye while lying either over chairs or on the cold concrete. Definitely not the most comfortable nights sleeps ever! However just thinking about where I am and what we will be waking up too makes it so much better.
As night starts to turn into day the Dawn Service begins. What an experience this is. I have goose bumps.
Once the Dawn Service ends we are off to walk up and over the mountain to be paid of the Lone Pine (New Zealand) and Chunuk Bair (Australian) memorial services. Unfortunately the Turkish memorial service has been cancelled this year which means you need to choose which one you will attend, this is where the groups splits up. The New Zealand service starts later than the Australian one, however we have a lot further to walk, but this means we can stop off along at the way.
I cannot stress enough how much of an amazing experience this is to be here. It was never high on my agenda to come but boy am I glad I did!!!
At the conclusion of the New Zealand service it’s time to locate our bus and start the long journey to Istanbul.
We are all pretty shattered, but physically and mentally, so the bus ride is very quiet. I enjoy collecting my thoughts and being so ever thankful for what I have in my life.
It’s a bit of a shock when we start to hit traffic on the outskirts of Istanbul given there is still so much further to go before we get to the City.
The evening is fairly quiet – we all try to eat together but Prue and I quickly realize that’s not going to work out so we say our goodbye’s and head down the road. SOO much nicer being alone, especially given the others on the tour are quite a lot younger than us.
Thursday morning, after a fairly sleepless night (am I back in NYC on 6th Avenue???) due to traffic and people, we get up shower, have breakfast then hightail it out of here! At 6.20am you would think it is 10am it’s that busy!
It’s been a great 5 days seeing so much more of the country than I would have if I’d just gone to Gallipoli. Time now for Prue and I to explore Istanbul.
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