Arrived in Singapore just fine where security was tighter than anywhere else we have been. Next stop London with just enough time to get to the Finnair flight to Helsinki. Arrived in Finland to an almost empty and pristine airport environment. Made use of the recliner lounges and ultra modern facilities. After 4 hour stopover felt a little more human.
Next stop Istanbul - this one was bumpy! and hot! Arrival in Istanbul in a storm at days end. Alex loved the bumps! We were both pleasantly surprised by how well Alex travelled. On the A380 he listened to kids nursery rhymes almost the whole way.
The long wait for our very wet bags at the baggage carousel was only partially rewarded. Two out of four bags arrived. Deb wanders into lost baggage turkish style. Staff extra attentive and particularly polite because I am a woman (who looks pretty tired). And what the hell, what can you do after 35 hours in transit and then no baggage. But apparently there is a system and I receive a receipt although he seems somewhat concerned that we will only be in Istanbul for 3 days (at our hotel address which is where he promises to send them just as soon as they find them).
Finally we accept that there will be no further baggage and make our way to the exit. However, there is some kind of riot at the exit - a local celebrity I think - flashbulbs etc. We wait and luckily our hotel pick up guy - Too Good (Turget) - is still waiting for us. We fly through the narrow streets to arrive at a completely dark hotel - the power is off. Geoff loses it now.
He tells TooGood that he cannot leave us here and wants another hotel. TooGood laughs politely and sells him two tours. The power comes back on after about 10 mins and the hotel looks good.
www.minahotel.com.tr
Hi Deb, Geoff and Alex, a pretty cold, but exhilerating start to the day in Canberra today, with a brisk -4 degrees. Things deteriorated during the day and it's now raining and we are looking forward to windy weather and a pretty bleak 10 degree maximum on Friday. Are you homesick yet? It sounds like you are having a great time. I checked out the itinerary and can only imagine how carefree it must feel to island hop around Greece. Anyway, keep on blogging and we want to see lots of photos. Take care and best wishes from Tracey, Graeme and Campbell.
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