Blogs from Turkey, Middle East - page 38

Not all airlines are the same...there are the good ones, and the others. I know it pretty well spending some time in planes. I even flied two weeks ago an airline black-listed in Europe...pretty scary and happy once you land, as they do crash. I have also to admit, most airlines were doing a way better job 10 years ago than today! I'm in the process of moving a huge share of my flying from Cathay to Emirates...never thought that would happen, but it is happening! So what about the best airline in Europe? For the past few years, Skytrax has awarded that tittle to Turkish Airlines. And if they may not be as amazing as Qatar Airways, they are not far away. I've only flied with them one way in the past between Saigon and ... read more

Slept well in much cooler room, and even had a nice hot shower. Down to check out and leave a case behind as we are going to Gallipoli this morning for a 2 day tour. Breakfast is happening, we are due to be picked up by our guide at 0830. A Mercedes mini bus pulls up at the hotel and the porter says this is our taxi. Hmm, no English speaking guide so not too sure what is going on. He moves bus out of the way as anothe bus wants to get past, not much space out the front. Try to communicate but the driver doesn't have any English. The driver is on the phone and next thing the bag is in the back. Still not sure what is going on when a guy comes ... read more

Well guess what. My predictions from last night came true. No air con and bloody HOT. Not a lot of sleep, and to make matters worse, no hot water either. Cold shower helped relieve the heat sweatiness a little, but then it got colder so NOT HAPPY JAN.......... Got down to breakfast and our smiley man on the counter had booked our day tour, but then we dropped the bombshell in his lap. Think he got the message and offered to get the hot water fixed in 15 mins so we could have a shower - no time before trip anyway. He did say the air con should also be fixed - here's hoping..... Little bus arrives at 0830 and we climb aboard. Quite a few others. We drive through the streets and then turn into ... read more

We wake up later than normal but still in time to catch up with others who are leaving at 0900. Catch them before they leave on their personal tour of Romania (including Transylvania). Quite a few still here today. We catch up with the birthday girl and wish her well. Lots of familiar faces having breakfast this morning. We sit outside in a courtyard surrounded by trees. Very pleasant. Eventually get out after more farewells, then to the bags. We have decided to take one bag that we will use from now on, and the other has dirty washing, stuff we don't need, etc. Hopefully we get under the 23 kg limits. Clothes shuffled, remembering we need jeans, etc. for the cold Melbourne welcome and packed. Weights come in under 23 kg - just. Finally out ... read more

Escaping Turkey Many of our encounters with Turkish people were overwhelmingly welcoming. We had been welcomed in camps , on beaches, on boats and ferries by many Turks. In country parts and provincial cities ordinary Turks extended a warm welcome offering fruit and tea. These gestures and conversations showed us the traditional Turkish culture which puts a high value on welcoming strangers. They used what English they had and where they had little or none they chatted away in their native tongue and we knew by tone and gesture that we were welcome. Those who could muster some English were curious about anything “western” and quizzed us about life outside Turkey. Invariably they wanted to know our thoughts on their country. For example At the Black sea town of Akcakoca we camped right on the beach ... read more