Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
21st - 24th April 2009
With an early flight out to Istanbul, I'd arranged with Andy's Dad who is a cab driver to pick me and take me to Gatwick airport at 4am. After going through all the usual airport stuff, I made my way to the gate and boarded the plane. I found a seat next to two Kiwi ladies who were also going to Turkey for ANZAC day. We chatted for a bit, then I eventually feel asleep.
I arrived into Istanbul around midday, went through immigration, got my bags then I had to find the Top Deck rep. I thankfully found him pretty easily but it was waiting for all the others to arrive, which took forever, but not as long as the ride to the hotel. It took over 3 hours to get to my hotel, as there was so much traffic and everyone was staying at different hotels. Eventually I got to my hotel and there was a bit of a mix up with the hotel as they had booked in Sally's name and not mine, but eventually it was all sorted and I got into my room and went straight to sleep.
The next day I had to move hotels. I got up about 8am and went up to have breakfast, but when I got there I was impressed it looked a bit manky so I just grabbed what I thought looked edible and sat down. After breakfast I went and packed my bags but couldn't find my passport. Now in a major panic I unpacked my bags and searched through everything but still couldn't find it. I remembered that I had it when I checked in so I called reception but they said they didn't have it, but not convinced I went down to reception to get them to check again which was a good thing because they did end up having it, but because the front cover of my passport had faded they didn't realise it was mine. Phew!
I then after repacking my bags I checked out and walked to the next hotel, which thankfully was only down the street. I checked in put my bags down then went for a walk. Istanbul was a really cool city. I was surprise at how clean it was and how friendly everyone was. After a good wonder I went back to the hotel and chilled out and waited for Sally and her friends to turn up.
Kim arrived around 3pm, along with Chris and Kia. We ended up going across the road for a few drinks and some food whilst we waited for Sally. Sally eventually turned up at about 8pm. We then went with the rest of the group from Top Deck to a bar called the Sah Bar for a few drinks and tried a shisha. It was a great night, which ended in the early hours of the morning.
The next morning I woke up with an incredible hangover and went down for breakfast, before going on a walking tour with a local guide. Our local guide took us to the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, the Palace and the cistern. I called it quits before they went to the Grand Bazaar as Sally was still at the hotel and wasn't feeling the best so I went back to check that she was ok.
I got back and made sure she was ok, before falling asleep. I woke up and went out to get us some food. Sally wanted something bland and the only thing I could find was a kebab. After awhile Sally was feeling better so we went to find the Grand Bazaar but by the time we got there it was closed, then went back to the hotel to meet the others for dinner.
We walked over one of the bridges and had a seafood dinner. The food wasn't too bad but the service was pretty crap. Walking along the bridge it was full of people fishing. Every space was filled with someone with a rod.
The next morning was an early start we had to be up by 5am to meet the group at 6am as we were heading down to Gallipoli for the ANZAC day service. We walked to the coach jumped on and found a seat then I pretty much fell asleep straight away. We stopped along the way for food and toilet breaks and arrived into Gallipoli around 1.30pm
We drove through the national park and stopped at Lone Pine, Chunik Bair and a few of the other sights in the park. We then drove back to the entry point and lined up with the other coaches, where we had to wait for a few hours before they would let us through.
After a short wait they let us through the gate where we then had to go through security. The line was massive and they separated us into guys and girls. After passing though security we went and found a place to sit, before wondering around and looking around, before the services start the next morning.
- comments