The ship arrived in the Istanbul Harbour at about the same time as our alarm clock went off, really don't like these early morning and by 0715 the ship was tied up and they had started to unload the baggage. We headed down to breakfast and as we have our on private arrangements we did not need to follow the rest of the guests on board, some were staying on for another week or two, but about 100 guests were leaving the ship here and so we waited over breakfast as we had ordered a car to meet us at the port and take us to the Conrad Hilton Hotel where we would stay for four nights. The car was ordered for 0945 but the driver turned up one hour early, did not affect the price thank heavens, and so we decided to leave the ship a bit early to avoid keeping him waiting to long.
Having disembarked we had to go through a X-Ray security check and immigration which took all of ten minutes and we then got a porter to take our bags to the waiting car. The streets were quite empty and many shops closed but I suppose it was about 0930 on a Sunday. We crossed the bridge from the Europe side to the Asia Side of the town and the bridge was packed with anglers but would be a little concerned eating fish from this port area. We arrived the the Hotel many hours before our anticipated arrival time but we had to go thro arrival security where the car is checked by a machine to look for bombs in the vehicle and then we had to go thro X-Ray machines for both us and baggage, such security, however the receptionist was very helpful and found us a room immediately on the 15th floor ( top floor) with great views over the city. So after unpacking and settling in to the toom we had a quick rest and then went for lunch in the restaurant and had to go thro the ‘no garlic, onions etc etc and they were most helpful in guiding me over the menu and I ended it with a small steak which was very nice and tasty.
We spent the afternoon in the Executive lounge which was part inside and part outside and Noel did his photo uploads which took quite some while but eventually as the sun came down lower and shining more in to the balcony it became impossible to see the screen anymore and so we spent another hour and enjoyed the free tit bits and drinks and then headed up to the Summit Lounge to check out the menu and a quick beer but after about 7.30 pm we were both feeling a little tired and so headed back to the room where we spent a quiet evening. discussing what we shall do in the way of site seeing, the round town bus or private tour.
Tomorrow we plan a quiet morning and then perhaps in the evening and boat cruise on the Bosporus.
