Istanbul, we have arrived.

We have arrived, not without minor snafus!  Halfway to the airport, Michael realised he had left his briefcase at home.  Oops.  Too much important stuff in there to leave behind, and fortunately we had left early enough to allow us to turn around and go back for it.  Phew.  We arrived at the airport in good time, with everything we intended to bring.  After a quick purchase of some duty free makeup for me, the Kris lounge of Singapore Airlines welcomed us.  A few snackolitos and some tea, and we were recombobulated.  

The plane left with us on it, and we had a pleasant dinner followed by snoozing.  There was a stopover of about an hour in Singapore Airport, where it was my turn for discombobulation.  Going through security involved taking off boots etc., and somewhere in that I dropped my boarding pass.  Lost!  Where was it?  A kindly security lady escorted us to the checkin desk, where somebody had handed it in.  Phew again!  I hope that is the last of our wobbles.  

On board the new plane, Michael had some dinner but I wanted more sleep, so stretched out in our spacious pods and slept for some hours.  Breakfast was very welcome.  I spent quite a bit of time reading Nightfall, by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg.  What a rattling good story teller Asimov is.  I have been reading his autobiography to Mum, chapter by chapter, and it is good to reinforce that with one of his books. Nightfall is a really interesting look at science vs religion, and assumptions of how life is or is not possible.  Lots of interesting ideas. 

On arrival at Istanbul airport we were met by the driver for our tour, and drove through very heavy traffic to our hotel, the Sura.  Aah, showers.  A gold washbasin caught my eye, and the Venetian blinds in the glass and mirrored bathroom gave privacy!

This is the view from our window:

We went walkabout and gawked at all the shops, piles of sweets and baklava and nuts and spices, leather goods, rugs and plates and tiles. We ran the gauntlet of eager restaurateurs and shopkeepers eagerly touting their wares.  We didn't go far, just up to Constantine's Column, then back down around the Hippodrome.  It is grey and drizzly.  

Of course, there were manhole covers.

We had a sit in the sun in the hotel for a bit, and then went back to our room for a bit more snoozing.  Atm6.30 we met our tour group and had dinner.  So far they all seem very nice and I think we will enjoy it all.