3rd June - leaving Istanbul
And now, the end is hereAnd so I face the final curtainMy friend, I'll say it clearI'll state my case, of which I'm certainI've lived a life that's fullI traveled each and ev'ry highwayAnd more, much more than this, I did it my way.
The wall outside my hotel!
So the time had come. Time to try to fit all of the gear into the two bags - and to protect the breakables etc.But I did get it done. My car transfer arrived right on time and off we went.
I got to see the other part of Istanbul - the not tourist side which I always love.
The thing that got me most was how big the ancient city wall was. And how much of it still remains. The wall was between the city and the water - so it was huge. Some of it in excellent repair and being looked after. Much of it deterioration.
And it was just everywhere. Carparks, playgrounds, under building!
Istanbul from above. You would never guess it was so well laid out.
Then on to the plane. It was painless - well as painless as a 4 hour economy flight can be! HAHAH Poor me!
Direction of Mecca - this came up every time we changed heading.
Doha. 6pm and 36.5 degrees.
Doha is the capital of Qatar. 60% of the countries nearly 2 million people live here. The city was founded in 1825
I went up to the lounge and put my hand luggage in a locker. And had a drink. A COKE!!!! Qatar is a dry country!
I am having quite a few hours in Doha before my flight to Dubai, so I purchased a vias - $29US for one day, got a taxi and headed off. The flight was about an hour late so I missed any daylight. But these Qatarians sure love pretty lights.
The harbour was really pretty and there is a huge full moon - so that will be fun out the window of the next flight.
Hamad Airport (Doha) is the best in the middle east - because remember everything is a competition in the middle east. Like a shopping mall. A toy shop with the biggest soft toys I have seen. Harrods is even here - makes sense since Qatar owns it! Even Dinosaurs!
Then back to the lounge for a sparkling water and some really good middle eastern food.
An 11pm flight to Dubai then another long long wait!
An excellent flight to Dubai.....cause I am flying FIRST CLASS!!!!!!!
Oh MY GOD!!!!!
It is amazing.
Now this is th way to travel. In my own suite.
With fresh orchards and drinking DOM!!!!!!!
Stretch with excitement.
And so many buttone to press and things to play with . A better report in a few hours.
It is almost 4 am.
Included with first class is a night in a hotel with hire car transfers.
I just got here , have had a shower nad will try to get to sleep - then I get picked up at 6.15 to go back tot he airport.
YAH FOR ME -------and for Qantas points!!!!!!!!!!!!
The bed was luxurious and I did manage to get about 45 minutes sleep. And a lovely shower.
My big black car arrived on time bad took me back to the airport where I had some breakfast.
Cooked to order - scrambled eggs etc. But only Moet!. Hear that - ONLY Moet.
Then time to board for the long trip via Thailand....but I didn't care. Gives me more time to play with things and drink Dom!. As in Dom Perignon 2004. The same $270 bottle that we had on Christmas day. Hahah!
On I hopped, and my lovely suite was waiting for me. I was greeted was a glass of Dom. Oh and some hot nuts.
I was given the menu book and the wine list.
A 2003 Chateau Montrose Saint Estephe Cab Sav French red or a 2004 Chateau Montviel French Merlot. Or of course I coule just have a Whiskey - A Johnny Walker BLUE! Or even a 40 year old Port from Portugal.
After take off they to see if I wanted anything. Because there is no set dining times. It's all a la cart. Order what and when you want.
I decided on a Dom and the caviar presented with freshly chopped onion, grated egg, sour cream and lemon. But not just a wedge of lemon. The lemon was tied up into a cloth - so i could squeeze it without the annoying little pips getting in my food.
Oh and a full bread basket - in case I wanted more.
And it was quite lovely.
But - the caviar was going to take 10 minutes to prepare - so just to tide me over she brought me a snack. A prawn on a stick with feta and olives.
The TV screen is a full sized TV. Not a giant one but a big one.
After eating I decoded to have a sleep. As much as it was going to pain me and miss time enjoying this experience I really needed a sleep.
So my bed was set up and in I hopped. To long to reach the end. The mattress topper was very similar to the one I cart around with me and that on top of the soft squishy leather seat/bed was fantastic. A full sized pillow and a really light doona - and of course lovely linen on it all.
At the push of a button on the ipad like controller I dimmed the three different lights, closed my three window shades, turned off my seat massager and slept. I actually slept - not dozed but slept!
When I woke up I decided on a cup of tea - fancy cloth tea bags in a pot with a little pot of honey. And of course s few Belgium chocolate - from the same shop I went to. The best shop of course.
But of course there is a big basket of assorted snacks and chocolates, right under the fresh orchid. I also have a little pop up bar of soft drinks and juices.
Then I thought I needed another Dom! Just a half - I don't want to waste it. The guy laughed and filled it up!
I always used to say that if I won millions I still wouldn't travel FIrst Class - Business would be enough. What a lot of shit that was. It would be first class every time!
All very flash. I DID LIKE IT!
To Dubai
4th June to Thailand - To SydneyAll
5th June to Canberra. Home 11am.
The bed was luxurious and I did manage to get about 45 minutes sleep. And a lovely shower.
My big black car arrived on time bad took me back to the airport where I had some breakfast.
Cooked to order - scrambled eggs etc. But only Moet!. Hear that - ONLY Moet.
Then time to board for the long trip via Thailand....but I didn't care. Gives me more time to play with things and drink Dom!. As in Dom Perignon 2004. The same $270 bottle that we had on Christmas day. Hahah!
On I hopped, and my lovely suite was waiting for me. I was greeted was a glass of Dom. Oh and some hot nuts.
I was given the menu book and the wine list.
A 2003 Chateau Montrose Saint Estephe Cab Sav French red or a 2004 Chateau Montviel French Merlot. Or of course I coule just have a Whiskey - A Johnny Walker BLUE! Or even a 40 year old Port from Portugal.
After take off they to see if I wanted anything. Because there is no set dining times. It's all a la cart. Order what and when you want.
I decided on a Dom and the caviar presented with freshly chopped onion, grated egg, sour cream and lemon. But not just a wedge of lemon. The lemon was tied up into a cloth - so i could squeeze it without the annoying little pips getting in my food.
Oh and a full bread basket - in case I wanted more.
And it was quite lovely.
But - the caviar was going to take 10 minutes to prepare - so just to tide me over she brought me a snack. A prawn on a stick with feta and olives.
The TV screen is a full sized TV. Not a giant one but a big one.
After eating I decoded to have a sleep. As much as it was going to pain me and miss time enjoying this experience I really needed a sleep.
So my bed was set up and in I hopped. To long to reach the end. The mattress topper was very similar to the one I cart around with me and that on top of the soft squishy leather seat/bed was fantastic. A full sized pillow and a really light doona - and of course lovely linen on it all.
At the push of a button on the ipad like controller I dimmed the three different lights, closed my three window shades, turned off my seat massager and slept. I actually slept - not dozed but slept!
When I woke up I decided on a cup of tea - fancy cloth tea bags in a pot with a little pot of honey. And of course s few Belgium chocolate - from the same shop I went to. The best shop of course.
But of course there is a big basket of assorted snacks and chocolates, right under the fresh orchid. I also have a little pop up bar of soft drinks and juices.
Then I thought I needed another Dom! Just a half - I don't want to waste it. The guy laughed and filled it up!
I always used to say that if I won millions I still wouldn't travel FIrst Class - Business would be enough. What a lot of shit that was. It would be first class every time!
All very flash. I DID LIKE IT!
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