Turkiye departure

After a lovely week in this fantastic country, it's time to move on to another destination. After the morning tour of the Basilica and Castle, retrieved my luggage from the guesthouse and it was just a 10 minute walk to the train station. Got there an hour before the train figuring to buy it and then chill with a tea at one of the nice sidewalk cafes. A pleasant station attendant helped with the ticket machine then waved me through. I said I was going to come back but she said the train was leaving now and showed a timetable. I had researched the schedule and was fairly certain my train left later, but deferred to local knowledge and jumped on as the door was closing, After pulling out I looked at the stops on the car poster vs Google Maps and determined we were at least headed in the right direction. After 3 or 4 stops, however, an announcement was made to 'get off the train'. I was then standing on the platform looking confused when a young man asked if I was going to the airport, and pointed to the train on the other side. Got on and off we went to continue the milk run.

Still got to the airport so early I asked if there was an earlier flight and the agent put me on one leaving in 30 minutes then struggled to be sure I had a visa for Jordan. By the time we sorted that out, it was 15 minutes to departure and I still had security. Still made it to the gate and when I boarded, they announced "Boarding Complete". Travel is always an adventure.

So have 6 hours to kill at IST. Spent a bit of time in a very nice high quality museum right in the international departure area that gives a pretty complete history of the various peoples and empires who came and went in Anatolia.

Turkey is a worthwhile destination. Have just scratched Istanbul, and the two destinations I added were only a few of the places worth seeing. There are many more scenic areas, the Aegean coast with islands and resorts and of course much more history. Some travelers come here again and again, and maybe I'll be back.Read more