10. Istanbul and the trip home to Australia

I love a hotel that has opening windows like this one.  The view over Istanbul is quite  impressive.  Even out the bathroom window from the bed!!  It also had spectacular view out over Istanbul even through the toilet window which I could see from the bed.   The morning started with yoga as my room was quite spacious.  I went down to have breakfast and the selection was extensive, including two types of halva...gotta love that, rah!  My request for scrambled rather than fried eggs seemed to be a little challenging and took a while to come but they were delicious.  It seemed to be a predominantly business (and male) hotel with me being the only female eating by myself for quite some time, there were one or two others in the end.  I returned to my room and got myself together.  There was no point fighting the inevitable.  It was time to go home 

My flight home left at 2pm on Wednesday 27 September.  So here I was, at the end of my extraordinary year!  At checkout,,my breakfast was listed as included in the room rate and confirmed when I questioned it, as I didn’t think it was included.  The hotel had a shuttle to the airport during the day. Unfortunately it stopped at 5pm so I had to get a taxi last night, but at least I could utilise it today.  As always the driver was extremely friendly, helpful and polite.  At the airport the security seemed extensive.  There were men in uniform everywhere (not necessarily a bad thing!)  There was also at least one car being searched on its the way into the airport.  Baggage checks were conducted on entry to airport building, so you can imagine how slow that was, and then again at gate.

Finally through security and checked in with appreciated efficiency.  As always with travel I fill in the time before leaving by walking around, anticipating sitting on a plane for quite some time.  I feel really good to be going home to family and friends but sad to be leaving Turkey.  Even Istanbul felt good to me but there is no denying the magnified stimulus of a city is not so welcome.  I much prefer the quiet life of Gocek.  But there is a definite connection with Turkey.  Back again next year?  Maybe....Who knows where this life will take me.

My flight home was less convoluted than on the way to Turkey.  On Etihad Airlines it was simply Istanbul to Abu Dhabi with a short stop of a couple of hours then on a flight to Melbourne.  The trip was uneventful except on the first leg I sat next to a man from Soldiers Point which is very near Rob from North Arm Cove who I met when sailing with Mark and Di.  I didnt know anyone from that area and now I know two people..not counting my dear friends Kerrie and Leigh in Medowie.  The man, Craig, was great company and the trip went quite fast. He didnt know my friend Rob, but he was a yachty.

On the second leg home I sat next to a nice couple but they had some bad luck with the man tipping a full cup of boiling tea on himself and getting quite a bad burn on his stomach.  He was very non fussed about it but I think it was quite sore and I have to say the staff were not much help.  They did eventually bring some cream.  I did also have trouble getting a cup of tea out of ordinary serving hours.  When I asked I was told they were about to start service of one of the meals but that seemed not to include tea as it turned out.  I think all up I waited about 6 hours for a cup of tea!!  I have to add to this that the crew on the first leg (on the same airline) were brilliant and couldnt do enough to help you out. But if I had to choose between Etihad and Qatar, I would pick Qatar!