On my way... and I'm in Istanbul!

September 11. 

Killing time in the Maple Leaf lounge, you know, where the fancy people drink for free.  So far I've had a salad so I'm not taking full advantage.   I'm thinking about getting a cookie.

I woke up early and had time to reconsider my decision about the small backpack.  I moved everything to the big pack.  And that's where it ended. 

Judy got me safely to the ferry.  Where she took my traditional 'on my way' photo.

I passed an amiable crossing chatting with my seat mate.  I managed to get onto the bus and then onto the skytrain.  This time I even got on the one going in the correct direction.  Look at me learning!

Easy check in and bag drop.  Things are much speedier in the Business Class line.  I was third.  We had two dedicated agents so one of the economy agents called me over ahead of the dozens of economy people waiting.  Yes, I would love to jump the queue, thank you.  

Sept 12, Next day (before bed)

Here is a montage of my flight: 

Free slippers, so much leg room!

This is too much choice!

Waiting to take off

Wine and warm nuts

sleep

Some Turkish delight to take with me

Arriving over Istanbul

Passport control

September 13.  (next day, in the morning if 4:30 counts as the morning)

We arrived late and then getting across the airport and through customs and then across more airport to find my bag before I could actually find Rob, patiently waiting for me at the Cups and Clouds coffee shop by the exit.  

No rest for the weary.  We had more walking to do, lots more, to get to the metro, and onto our first train.  Then a long hike in a huge metro station to get to M2 line to get to Taksim Square, where my hotel is.  

Gotta stop for this photo.  
Istanbul is a cat city, so prepare yourself

My first photo upon emerging to street level

I landed at 5:30.  We go out of the airport at 7 ish.  We reached the hotel at 8:30.   Must remember that it is not a quick trip for when I have to get back to the airport.  

Sofitel Taksim hotel was very close to where we emerged.  I checked in and Rob waited in the lobby while I had a very quick shower and change of clothes.  

Fancy!

But more important than my room, there is a hotel cat.

She will let you have 2 seconds of 'scritch'
but then she had to get back to work

Rob took me through winding, narrow streets, full of people and light and noise.  Istanbul is very alive and exciting at night.  Just as well Rob was guiding me.  There are a million little kabab shops right across from the hotel.  I would have gone there and then to bed.  If I had ventured further, I would never have found my way back to the hotel in the dark. 

We finally arrived at our destination.  It was probably only a few minutes away but the sensory overload made it seem much further.  

I managed to grab a few street pictures on the way

We ate at Nevet, which I think is a hotel with an upstairs restaurant/bar.  Up we went to the sixth floor in the tiniest elevator, that snap crackle popped all of the way up.  

We had a lovely meal that we did not manage to finish.  Trio of dips, and two mains.  

The view from the balcony restaurant.

Rob and I parted ways in Taksim Square.  He is heading off to his next destination in the morning.  He really was a good friend to come and get me. I am pretty sure I would never have found the metro route without him.  He gave up hours of his time in Istanbul to come and get me.   Now, I am on my own.  Yikes!  

My favourite photo so far:

I woke up at 4:30 so I am writing this before I get up.  It's now time to start my day.  Or sleep a bit more?  I've got a free breakfast to eat and a walking tour to find by 10 am.  More Metro navigation.  Hopefully I'll be back, if not, I am somewhere underground.