Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul what an experience.  We certainly did not do enough planning before we arrived.  Our flight arrived at around 11:30 PM so by the time we were ready to catch the hotel shuttle it was a few minutes after midnight.  By the time we found the stop and sign for the Holiday Inn we discovered that the last shuttle departed at midnight and did not start again until 7 AM.  Next time we book a hotel we will check to see when the shuttle runs. 

Our next plan was to change money so we could take a taxi.  You could not just walk back into the arrivals terminal.  Because of security you had to go through the whole process.  We ended up lining up in the cue to get a taxi.  The driver could not speak English which I had expected so we should him the address of the hotel. 

Holiday Inn Airport Hotel is not close to the airport and is located in an industrial area with a huge freeway on the north side.  The hotel is very new and has a great pool area.  We decided to have breakfast at the hotel since there is nothing around and you can't even walk to the Istanbul Mall because the freeway is between the hotel and mall.

 

When it was time to leave we took the free hotel shuttle to the city centre and got off on the waterfront below the Sophia which is located across the harbour to where our cruise was docked.  I had to check in the morning where the ship was located because it could be a two possible locations.  Thank goodness it was the closer location.  We caught a taxi immediately exiting the van and he drove us to the port entrance.

Our next challenge was getting through the port because I did not have a ticket or boarding card.  We dropped off our luggage and proceeded to check in.  Our timing was excellent there was no bus dropping off passengers so we did not have to line up to get our boarding cards.

We spent the rest of the time exploring the ship.  Getting organized in our room, Bill was in the hot tub and of course eating.  We departed at 8:00 PM which was wonderful as the lights in Istanbul along the Bosphorus River are beautiful and the bridge was sparkling with lights.