Friday September 27, 2024

Cappadocia back to Istanbul

Temp in Istanbul high 70’s and a bit humid

 


 

We breakfasted at 5 AM, finished packing and were on the bus at 6 AM to trek to the Kayseri airport about an hour away.  We got there (3 buses) and the kiosks were down.  But soon the techs and attendants were there with help and we were through the double security by 7:40 for an 8:40 flight to Istanbul. On the plane on time and in the air on time and landed on time.

 


 

Our guide, Gukhan, gave us the drill on the way from the (incredibly large) airport to the  Conrad Bosphorus Hotel. I liked how he described the timing, 40 minutes without traffic, and 3 hours with traffic. He also gave us specific instructions on where to find Hazel’s present – one we have been searching for since Athens.

 

We got to the hotel in an hour and by 12:30 we were resting in our room.  We got the data on our transfer to the airport – in the lobby at 9:30 and off by 10 for our 14:30 flight to Atlanta. Gukhan also gave us good advice on how to negotiate the International flight and the awesome business class lounge.  We will see how awesome it is tomorrow.

 

After a nap and some blogging (and work e-mails) we ventured out in search of Hazel’s present. Our cruise friend Bob from San Francisco came along. We walked down the hill in  Beşiktaş  (the name of the area we are in.)  toward the Bosporus to a pedestrian zone and the supposed site of the magic store.

 


 

By the way, the name of Beşiktaş means the stone where Christ was born.  Apparently along with many other sacred things the Byzantines moved from the Holy Land to Constantinople was the stone where the holy manger was placed. It wound up in this area.

 

Anyway – mission accomplished.  We actually found the store – but it was closed!  Oh No!  Just when we were about to give up, the proprietor came up and unlocked the door and we were able to purchase the very difficult thing. On the way back Shirley bought us pistachio ice cream bars.  Yum!

 

We walked back up hill to the hotel, finished blogging, re-arranging packing and resting. We are ready to go home.  Apparently Hurricane Helene is passing Chattanooga today.  Things should be settled down for our flight tomorrow.  We are scheduled to leave at 14:30 Istanbul time and land at 19:50 Eastern Time. 5 hours right?  Try 12 hours.

 

Our next entry will be the epilogue.

God bless all our Blog readers for sharing these days with us!

 

Paul & Shirley







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