Istanbul - where East meets West ..in style

Trip Start Nov 13, 2006
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Trip End Oct 21, 2008


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Flag of Turkey  , Istanbul,
Sunday, May 11, 2008

'You have to get money from someone or go home' said a tosser in a bright yellow bib standing in the passport area before smiling and walking away. Memories of the time I tried to fly from Tokyo to Beijing with no visa started flooding back. As a British citizen flying into Turkey I knew that needed to buy a visa before passport control and I had money, but shekkels weren't accepted here. (The ATM was intelligently positioned after passport control.) Thankfully David, an Australian guy I had met at Ben Gurion aorport came to the rescue and lent me the £10 required.

Istanbul was a last minute decision made that morning. My parents invited me to join them in their suite in a luxury hotel for the week and I figured 'what the heck', booked a $179 return flight from Tel Aviv, packed, and left.

I sit now in our suite overlooking the Bosphorus river where music from the posh nightclub across the road just about penetrates the electric controlled windows living room
living room
 . If I press the button on my portable control I could close the electric controlled shades to stop it, turn on the surround sound to drown it out, immerse myself in a movie on the plasma screen (which rises out of the oak cupboard like something out of Batman), or I could always play the harp by the window. The truth is though that the music just isn't bothering me that much.

Luxurious with style and trimmings on top. I don't think I have ever seen (never mind experienced) luxury quite like this. It's the Les Ottomans hotel spa in Kurucesme. Yesterday I enjoyed a one hour massage in the spa which contains: a Finish sauna (with plasma TV), swimming pool, state of the art gym (with knowledgable instructors), adventure shower, salt inhalation steam room, an ice fountain shower, solarium, and more. Service is attentive without being intrusive. I could go on but you get the picture, and of course it comes at a price (which needless to say I am not paying). Arriving with my backpack, beard, and scruffy hair I must say I felt slightly out of place as I looked at the Millionare's club book on the reception table  ....but who cares.

In the last 3 days I've seen the major sights, tasted the cuisine, and sampled the nightlife in Istanbul - the city where Europe meets Asia in style - including belly dancing which got a little close for comfort.....
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