Day 11: Budapest to Istanbul

Day 11:    Budpest to Istanbul

There is very little to report as it was mostly spent in transit.  No problems getting to Budapest airport by taxi and then flying out.  We were unsure if we would be seeing Robyn and Damien as planned bcause flights out of Amserdam were uncertain because of the heavy snow.

There was certainly no snow as we flew into Istanbul.   Once inside the air terminal, we bought our Visas as required and were leaning over our bags zipping them up, when we became aware of a man standing infront of us.  It crossed both our minds that we might be about to be questioned about something, but on looking up, to our delight we discovered Damien’s face at the other end of the body!!!

They had been later than they hoped getting to Istanbul, but at least they were there.  Their plane touched down at almost the same time as ours.  We were planning on getting an airport bus and then a taxi to our hotel, but Rob and Damien had used Lonely Planet’s help to work out how to get there by light rail and tram, so we happily went with their plan.  The nearest stop to our hotel was right at the Blue Mosque, so even though it was dark by then, we got a sight of it and Hagai Sofia.   According to Lonely Planet, our hotel was just a couple of streets away.  It may have been, but they were cobbled streets, narrow and windy with Istanbul’s crazy traffic zooming down them – not exactly conducive to pulling two 20kgsuitcases after us.    However, we eventually found our quaint hotel and happily booked in.

From now until next Monday, we are not sure what adventures we may have.  We are booked on a six day tour that takes us to Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Hierapolis, Pammukale and Cappadocia.   However we have read very mixed reviews on Trip Advisor, and so we are not at all sure how it will go. We are prepared to make our own arrangements if we need to, but all four of us being optimistic in outlook, we are hoping for good things.  The principal of the company we have booked with has visited us in our hotel tonight, mainly to collect final payment but also to give us final details, so that is so far all looking good.  We will keep our fingers crossed!