Thursday 25th October
The airport bus which collected us at our door at 6.15 pm, and we arrived at the airport in plenty of time and checked in. What do we do now – it’s 2 ½h ours till departure. We found a nice comfortable bar and enjoyed a G & T, and then went to the gate lounge to while away the time till the flight was called.
The aircraft was only half-full and we were lucky enough to have 4 seats to ourselves, so we took it in turns to lie down and have a sleep, arriving in Dubai much fresher and more rested than we though.
Friday 26th October
We arrived at Dubai in the wee small hours of the morning (5.30 am) and the plane dumped its passengers seemingly miles away from the terminal, at the far end of the runway. Even at that time of the morning it was hot and steamy and the city was wrapped in a cloak of heat haze which didn’t clear during the day. The trip to the terminal in an airport bus took almost half an hour but fortunately the formalities of immigration and customs took no time at all as ours was the only flight to arrive at the time,
The male airport officials were all wearing the traditional Arab garb and in my sleep deprived state I amused myself by wondering which washing powder they used, as the white clothing was snowy! Our driver collected us, and we were driven to the Marco Polo hotel which proved to be adequate but most importantly, air-conditioned.
After a quick shower and a change into shorts and tee shirts we bravely set off on foot to explore but didn’t get very far. It was far too hot, even at 9.30 am so we decided on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour instead. This turned out to be an excellent way of seeing the city in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. We did both loops (red and blue) and were treated to a grand display of ostentatious wealth, and abject poverty.
Shopping centre – where’s Nanna?
People of all nations, in a multitude of varying dress live in or are visiting Dubai, and it is a real cultural mixing pot. There are very grand shopping centres which house big name fashion outlets that are empty of shoppers, and the shopping malls where the locals go which absolutely teem with people. There is the usual mix of Toyota’s, Hyundai’s, Mitsubishi’s, as well as more than a fair share of Rolls Royce’s and million dollar sports cars which flash by in the streets.
Most citizens of Dubai live in small apartments, but the rich live in absolutely enormous compounds with very tall fences.
6 star hotel very expensive
Dubai is flat, arid, hot, humid, and extremely busy, and although we are pleased we have visited, it is definitely not a return destination.
I’m off to bed, (Pete is already in bed snoring!) in readiness to farewell Dubai tomorrow morning after breakfast, and prepare for our next destination, Istanbul.
Saturday 27th October
After a breakfast fit for a king we were collected from the hotel by our transfer bus and deposited at the airport to await our Istanbul flight. Dubai airport is extraordinary – the ultimate in size, facilities, and ostentation. It’s absolutely enormous, complete with moving walkways and huge mirrored columns. It’s so large that there are notices positioned at various places along the way advising passengers how long it will take them to get to their departure gate.
We arrived in Istanbul on time and after queuing for a Turkish Visa we completed the entry formalities and went out to find our driver, to find he wasn’t there. After giving him half an hour to show up we decided to get a cab and after some difficulty by the driver in finding our apartment in the old quarter of Istanbul (it’s an absolute rabbits warren) we finally arrived at our destination to be reunited with Deb and Ian. We had a quick catch up, briefing and dinner with Deb and Ian and an early night as the Dodd’s were off to Gallipoli early next day.
Sunday 28th October
5.30 am (an hour before dawn every day), and we were woken with the first call to prayer being broadcast from four minarets very close by. The sound is extraordinarily haunting and beautiful and we don’t mind at all that we are awakened at such an early hour of the day . The calls begin with just one voice, and then the others join in one by one. Sometimes they accidentally harmonise and the result is absolutely wonderful, but at other times it’s just a mass of loud voices competing with each other.
The Yeates’s decided on an early start and walked (up a steep hill) through the Hippodrome area where Byzantine emperors held chariot races. Although there is nothing left of the original ancient structure, there are interesting obelisks and columns from that period which still stand. These have been excavated to the original ground level of the Hippodrome, some 2.5 meters below current ground level.
We were at the Blue Mosque by 9 am as we’d been advised to get there early to avoid long queues. It is advice we are pleased we took. Everyone entering the mosque must remove their shoes, and cover bare shoulders and knees in respect of the Muslim religion. The mosque is absolutely stunning, the size is truly awesome, and the blue tiles all over the ceiling and within the domes, which give the mosque it’s name, are beautiful. The stained glass windows, of which there are in excess of 200, are all glazed with Venetian glass. It has six minarets and is the largest Ottoman mosque in the world. An outstanding place and well worth the visit.
In the afternoon we wandered around, going down some interesting side streets (alleys) where there always seem to be unexpectedly interesting discoveries to be made. We also wandered around the outside of the Topkapi palace, but as the queues to get in were hideously long we decided to visit early next morning.
Instead, we went on a bus tour which was very good. Unfortunately we were caught up in traffic most of the time and were pleased when the trip ended as it had become quite tedious. Istanbul drivers seem to think they are rally drivers, and only have two speeds- full speed ahead and stop. There is a lot of honking of car horns and cutting other drivers off but still the system seems to work well and we haven’t seen any traffic incidents. Pedestrians take their lives into their hands crossing roads, but seem to manage without misfortune.
After a very nice dinner we retired to bed exhausted, and very pleased with our day.
Monday 29th October
Awake early again, this time just after 5.30 am to the sounds of the first call to prayer. The timing of the first call varies daily as days lengthen or shorten with the seasons.
Today we visited the Topkapi palace, getting there before 9 am in accordance with guide book advice, to miss the crowds. While waiting in line for tickets we were very disappointed to see a that advising that half the points of interest in the guide book were closed to the public.
We wandered around from building to building, viewing exhibits as the crowds grew larger by the minute. It wasn’t long before the pushing and shoving started, and it was very hard work getting around to see the displays. The palace is undergoing massive renovations and improvement works, and lots of detours and bypasses are in place making it difficult to get around and to get good photographs. Photography wasn’t allowed in the main exhibit rooms disappointingly. In the end, we decided that we weren’t having fun, and left. We were very disappointed, and agreed that it wasn’t worth the money spent.
However, we did find another quite under-rated gem nearby – the Museum of Archeology. After a yummy morning tea of coffee and Turkish cake (very sweet and loaded with pistachio nuts) we headed off to the Museum of Archeology and spent over two happy hours, with NO crowds, looking around this amazing place. There were antiquities from everywhere, including Egypt, as well as Turkey. We thoroughly recommend this place.
More soon
Love and hugs from Nanna and Poppy xxx
dipidydoo 