I've always wanted to go to Turkey, who doesn't? With all the beautiful scenery, that each tell a tale of the ancient history, right?
For the record, I have lots of Turkish friends. Each always tell me stories that made me ache for a visit, and out of nowhere my family literally told me two weeks before our traveling date to arrange everything for our vacation to Turkey!
Two weeks to plan the whole thing for 6 members was no easy task to be honest, since each had their own preference of what should we do and where do we want to go, keep in mind its a family trip so i had to take into consideration certain things like:
- taxi from airport to hotel
- hotel must b 4* or 5*
- hotel must be close to the touring are [city center, museums etc..]
- all rooms next to each other
- type of tours
- no long distance walking
and many other things.. lots of demands.
This was more like putting me in real life test [Since I study tourism management, you know!]
I've prepared a whole schedule of timings and details of each hotel, flight, taxi or activity that we were going to do and had 3 copies given to each couple [it was easier this way!] I also added the estimated budget and let me tell you: I've arranged for a luxurious holiday with proper pricing and the little details your average tour company would not provide. I'm proud of the work I've done.
Overall, the experience was mixed, and I decided I need a proper solo vacation after all this planning and guiding =P
Here are the details of my trip:
2nd of August 2017:
Checked in, luggage all gone said goodbyes [ sadly, on this trip my two brothers did not join, I think with all the fun we had, it would have been more fun if they were there, honestly!]
Muscat international airport has some good restaurants, not to compare it with other big airports, just don't expect a lot in it. We decided to eat from DQ [Dairy Queen: we had a branch in Shatti al-Qurum but it was shut down some time ago, so everyone makes jokes about traveling only so you get to eat in DQ!]
Most of items were not available, what a bummer. So I was wondering why even bother opening up the restaurant if you just sell one item? business.. business!
But that was the case in some other places, where most of items are unavailable, and let me tell you it is inconvenient.
So anyway we board.. All was good in the beginning until suddenly i started feeling like I was suffocating, and felt very dehydrated. I thought it was me only, but my mom said the same thing later, not about the dehydration part but the suffocating one. As if the air was fully consumed and you just could not breathe anymore. it is very irritating to be honest.
Which airline? Turkish Airlines.
However, I actually liked their instructions video, it was rather entertaining and not annoying as most other airlines where you get bored. I'm also very thankful that I did not need to use the toilet, because at one point I wanted to stretch and then decided I'll go wash my face.. to be shocked of the view of the toilet; horribly dirty. I know.. believe me I do not expect to see flowers and butterflies in a toilet but I do not expect to see all this dirt in an airplane toilet you know? How come there is water everywhere, who decided to take a shower in that tiny tiny place? I don't get people sometimes.
We landed safely in Turkey; all exhausted only to find out we have to stand in a very long queue to reach the passport check desk. So we did, and by the time it was almost our turn, we asked other Omani family in front of us about the visa procedure [because no one bothered to tell us anything about that either, we just knew we had to go there and visa is upon arrival] they said we were supposed to get it done before starting the queue, but anyway that it would not take time so my dad and uncle went quickly to get our passports stamped, and by the time they came it was our turn. Passport controllers were all grumpy, they did make us feel like they hate their lives, and it is our fault they're there. I mean, you want tourists to come to your country, how else would the GDP increase easily right? and it's all about hospitality and such; so why the grumpy face and the attitude? We actually pay for the services least you could do is feel neutral maybe.. I don't know.
So anyway, we pass the control check, take our luggage and head out.
Since we were all exhausted we decided to take one of those taxis provided by a taxi company with fixed price. It was a big bus so we all fit in it with our luggage.
On the way to the hotel, the view reminded me of Holland. i felt really nostalgic.
For our first night we stayed in Holiday Inn Istanbul Airport hotel which is a 5* hotel. Now you see, I've booked early check-in with all the details, and in fact received a confirmation that it will be ready when we are there. So I go to the reception, check-in and all and guess what? The staff are grumpy too. First thing they teach you in hospitality is that you smile and welcome the guest. I don't understand how can the staff be unprofessional within a hospitality industry. You walk into the industry knowing what you have to give and what is expected, so maybe leave your attitude behind? I also understand we all have bad days but really, learn to be professional because in the end customer is always right, and it is always about the reputation!
So the receptionist starts arguing with me that it is early and rooms are not ready, and then asks me if the hotel confirmed anything and I show him the proof. No apologies nothing just simply says in same grumpy tone go sit I'll call you when room is ready. Owkaayyyy..
Thankgod in 10 minutes the rooms were ready. We slept finally, until 13.00.
We took a taxi from the hotel to Taksim square which is like their city center there. All shopping stuff and lots of restaurants everywhere.
Did I mention: the people here look beautiful effortlessly.. Mashallah!
Also, as I walked on the streets of Turkey, I saw the faces of my Turkish friends everywhere.. I really felt nostalgic.. Guys, I know you're reading this and I miss u all so much.
While my mom and aunt were busy exchanging the currencies me, dad and my uncle walked a bit, discovering the area. I like how their neighborhoods look all old, kids playing everywhere, and the houses are literally on top of each other somehow. I find such things beautiful, where you could feel the essence of real homes, not just 'houses' you know?
I also liked seeing stalls for corn, chestnuts, and Turkish breads\sandwiches. There were also luckydraw tables everywhere.. Also, here is where u see talents in marketing.
We had first shawarma, since we were very hungry they did not want to look further for proper doner restaurant, just something quick from the street [which let me tell u was not your great Turkish shawarma, just a regular one but very dry too]
I can't begin to stress on how much I LOVED THE CAKE. This place became my favorite..
Mustafa Hafiz. [make sure you remember the name, so you can visit it when you go to Turkey!]
LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF HAPPINESS IN THESE TWO PICTURES.
Then we entered a place which was like a Bazaar, and it was nice to see. They had all those handmade things, old-fashioned items, modern items in an old-fashioned designs... The type you just love to look at. Also, if you're a 90's kid and older, you'd remember the good old days.. where luxury was in simplicity of the things. I'm sure you're remembering some of the cool old items.
you see, I'm pretty sure I took more pictures.. but I somehow can't seem to find them..
I saw so many cute things that I wanted to buy, but I thought I'll come back after a week and buy all that I want.. little that I knew that they changed the theme of the bazaar on weekly basis... so I never saw any of those cute things a week later when I came back, sadly.
We left the bazaar, and there were lots of street performing around, which were very entertaining.
Also you'd find those stalls on the street, of people selling chestnuts, simits [Turkish bread], and corns.
So we took some corns.
Then we entered a place which was like a Bazaar, and it was nice to see. They had all those handmade things, old-fashioned items, modern items in an old-fashioned designs... The type you just love to look at. Also, if you're a 90's kid and older, you'd remember the good old days.. where luxury was in simplicity of the things. I'm sure you're remembering some of the cool old items.
I saw so many cute things that I wanted to buy, but I thought I'll come back after a week and buy all that I want.. little that I knew that they changed the theme of the bazaar on weekly basis... so I never saw any of those cute things a week later when I came back, sadly.
We left the bazaar, and there were lots of street performing around, which were very entertaining.
Also you'd find those stalls on the street, of people selling chestnuts, simits [Turkish bread], and corns.
So we took some corns.
Then we decided we wanted to go to the mall, so we went to the taxi place, and fortunately we found a father & son taxi, which was perfect for us since we need to cabs anyway.
I rode with my aunt and uncle with the son, while mom dad and sis went together with the father.
I'm not kidding, I felt like we were in the fast and the furious. Each driver was trying to show skills and to dare who's the craziest in driving. While it was a little bit scary, it was very thrilling. Normally, I don't like speeding.. but somehow I felt like these two knew what they were doing and for once in my life I decided I'll enjoy rather than stress about someone driving crazily.
It was the best ride in this trip, haha!
we went to Mall of Istanbul, which was like 5 minutes car ride from our hotel [there was no way we could walk, as in literally no way for pedestrians].
Upon entrance there was security check just like those in airports, which is considerate of them in a touristic place but also tiring where you have to put bag and wait in the queue.
Okay, so the mall is huge!! Probably was 5 floors if not 6, and wide too..
So the moms went shopping while the rest of us were just exhausted and waiting on the benches.
We thought just like Oman, the shops would close at 22.00 and restaurants would close at 00.00 something, but to our surprise by 22.00 everything including restaurants were closed. The mall was preparing to shut down completely and we didn't get ourselves any dinner.
Fortunately, one restaurant only which sold baked potato was open, so me and Mama took from it, while the rest are not potato fans, decided they'll take something from the supermarket or order room service later.
We wanted to exit the building but it was huge and kinda dark so we lost the way in the beginning, but then found it. As soon as we left the building we were shocked by the huge queue for the taxis. So we waited. A family before us did something and then there was lots of yelling and screaming between the security and the taxi drivers. So when our turn came, the taxi drivers were equally all mad still, and when we told them to take us to the hotel they got madder because its a 5 minutes ride which means they would not make big amount of money taking us back.
In the car, the taxi driver was murmuring loudly dua'as which indicated he was angry it went like:
'Astaghfrullah...' then he said 'la hawla wala quwata' and i hear my uncle suddenly complete the sentence 'ella b allah' that's when I started laughing and for a moment I thought the guy will kick us out of the car in the middle of nowhere. So whatever Dua the man recited my uncle would join him in doing so. Believe me it was hilarious.
We went back, gathered in my mom's room, they indeed ordered room service, we had a cute family dinner together then everyone went to their room.
My night didn't finish.
I was talking to my Turkish friends, telling them about my day and catching up.
Two of my best friends were coming back to Turkey but unfortunately I learnt on that day that we would not meet, and I was somewhat sad because it's been a while since we last saw each other and I missed them terribly.
After that I fell asleep, and it was a goodnight sleep.
So I've decided I'll post this one now, and post the rest of the days on the way because I realized I'm taking too long and I have other posts to write but no time to type them down.
So, until next post!
x
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