Flight from Prague to Istanbul and then Taxi getting lost near the Blue Mosque.

We love Istanbul as a city because of the strong Asian and Turkish influence and have stayed at several hotels, particularly the Conrad, which is on the Bosporus, as a favourite. however on this occasion we have chosen the Double Tree quite near the Blue Mosque. We will be able to walk to the old town areas, restaurnats and the key Mosques and other tourist destinations in this amazing multi-cultural city.

Our departure from Prague is relatively simple with an early pick up at 6.30am and then a 25 minute ride on almost empty street to be dropped off at 7.00am for a flight at 10.25am.

We depart the taxi at the Airport and there are no porters to assist , as we are too early, we take a trolley into the terminal and our flight doesn’t open until 7.30am , ie 3 hours before departure. We sit and watch the passing traffic. This is a city which is very much at the crossroads between Asia and Europe but also a key destination for people from the Middle East.

The floght is open, we check in and kae our way to the Business Class lounge for Breakfast. Turkish Airlines is one of our favourites. We are flying a 777 and are seated in seats 3A and 3 C. Th lounge is excellent, with a good range of food and drinks. We are informed that our aircraft is ready for Boarding and our gate is onl;y a short distance.

The flight is excellent, comfortable with a quality meal, excellent service from friendly staff. We enjoy a lunch menu.

All goes well we arrive in Istanbul, we didn’t book Blacklane but decided to use a local taxi. That proves a terrible decision.

We are picked up and our driver is another “Sterling moss” driving at over 80 miles per hour until we reach the limit to the City where we slow to 50mph. He is tlking on the phome, but we are near the old town and the traffic suddently becomes near stopped and terrible traffic jams.

He drives around , but doesn’t appear to know where our Hotel is and we experience a high degree of stress and tension. He ask several other drivers who offer the madatory arm pointing and swinging around. He moves on does several U turns ,but remains lost. Hard to believe but he then tells us “no traffic in front of Hotel” and he will drop us off about 100metres from the hotel but cannot tell us which way to go.

Ken is protesting and wants the driver to ring the Hotel and get them to arrange a pick up. He mumbles then yells our loud to other drivers, we are all getting agitated. Fortunately, one river does know the way. HE explains to the driver and then speaks to us in broken English explaining road works, but we can get through. After driving around for in excess of 1 hour we do eventually make the Hotel, pay him an exorbitant fee of Euro 114 and get out and are greeted by the staff from Double Tree. It is 36degrees C and all sense of patience has been lost.

Our room is good ( suite with separate lounge, comfortable bed and good air-conditioning. By this time it is 4.00pm and we are given vouchers to use for drinks on the roof top bar and restaurant overlooking the Bosporus and its varied range of transport from Ships, to yachts, to ferries etc. We relax and enjoy the drink and then go for a walk around the area, which is a give of shopping activity.

An early night and we will be ready for tomorrow.