World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas
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Turkish Airlines
Date: Saturday 06 May 2023
Gate: 2
Seat: 25A (Economy Class Seat)
Plane: Boeing 737-800
Scheduled: 08:20
Boarded: 10:12
Pushback: 10:33
Arrived: 11:39 (Scheduled 09:35)
Duration: 1 hour 6 minutes
Distance: 396 kms
This flight was from Denizli Çardak Airport to Istanbul Airport.
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Friday 05 May 2023
Highlights: Hierapolis Ruins, White travertine terraces, Cleopatra Antique Pool, Whirling Dervishes Ceremony
How last big drive day was to take between 3-4 hours and it happened to be in the rain which all things considered is lucky as we are safe inside the mini bus. We had lunch on arrival at Pamukkale, checked in to our hotel and for changed for our visit to the Hierapolis Ruins.
Hierapolis (Holy City) has been used as a spa since at least the 2nd century BC as a Greek city. The area is famous for the travertine limestone deposited by the hot springs. In 133 BC that area transferred to the control of the Romans. The Hierapolis experience two major earthquakes in 17 and 60 AD leading to being rebuilt into Roman style which today’s ruins represent.
Thursday 04 May 2023
Highlights: Visiting Şirince Village, Exploring Selçuk, Visiting St John’s Basilica, Enjoying a Wine Sampling afternoon.
Today was a day of options with no travelling between hotels. Isik started the day with a quick orientation walk around to the key points of Selçuk so we knew were our major options where. From year it was off to the picturesque Şirince Village.
Wednesday 03 May 2023.
Highlights: Learning about Turkish Carpet making, exploring Izmir, exploring Ephesus ruins in depth, visiting the ancient Library of Celsus
A very big day started with a visit to Carpet and Kilim Weavers Association based near Bergama. We got a detailed explanation of how Turkish carpets are made starting with the vegetables used to create the colouring, to how the silk is harvested, to how the double knot system works (on Turkish carpets use double knots) and watched some local woman creating new carpets.
Some of the larger carpets take up to 18 months to create. I was amazed at the craftmanship on display. Several group members purchased some smaller carpets.
Tuesday 02 May 2023.
Highlights: Exploring the ancient city of Troy, Exploring Ayvalık, Exploring by boat the archipelago of the Ayvalık Islands.
Today we set out to explore the ancient city of Troy. Isik explained on the way to the site the history of Troy (as called Ilion). While most people know of Troy from the 2004 Troy movie which was based on The Iliad by Homer, Troy has a deep history before and after the story of The Iliad.
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Monday 01 May 2023.
Highlights:
Gallipoli Peninsula – Gabatepe Beach, ANZAC Cove, Ari Burnu Cemetery, Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial, 57 Piyade Alayi Sehitligi (Turkish 57 Regiment Memorial, Chunk Bair (site New Zealand Memorial)
Çanakkale – Ferry crossing, exploring the waterfront city.
Today was the first full day of the G Adventures tour and it saw the group visiting the emotional Gallipoli Peninsula area site of the Allies land invasion of the then Ottoman Empire that began on 25 April 1915 with the full withdrawal on 9 January 1916.
It’s a site on probably the greatest defeat for Australian and New Zealand armies (ANZACs) but also the site where our countries spirit of sacrifice and mateship was sparked.
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Sunday 30 April 2023.
Highlights: Business Class flight, getting lost in Istanbul, exploring the historic Istanbul (Fatih district), meeting my tour group.
To effectively started at midnight while transiting in Singapore. I luckily got to use the Singapore Airlines SilverKris (Terminal 3) Lounge (review here) has it was so close to my departure gate. Nothing like a shower to rehydrate you.
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Singapore Airlines
Date: Sunday 30 April 2023
Gate: A1
Seat: 14A (Business Class Seat | Window)
Plane: A350-900
Boarded: 01:50
Pushback: 02:03 (Scheduled 02:05)
Departed: 02:25
Arrived: 07:45 (Scheduled 07:45)
Scheduled Duration: 11 hour 0 minutes
Distance: 8,680 kms
This was the second leg of two flights on two different airplanes to get to my final destination in Istanbul, Türkiye. The first flight was Melbourne to Singapore on SQ208.
This flight was from Changi (Singapore) Airport to Istanbul Airport (Türkiye).
(more…)When visited: 30 April 2023
Time of day: Midnight
Rating: 4.5 / 5
SUMMARY
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris (Business Class) Lounge in Terminal 3 of the Changi Airport is an excellent business class lounge in Singapore Airlines home port.
The lounge is a huge area with multiple hot and cold food options with an Asian focus but also western style food. A brilliant way to refresh before a long flight.
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Saturday 29 August 2023.
Highlights: Farewelling the cats, the Air New Zealand Koru (Business Class) Lounge, Business Class flight
After years of planning, multiple delays due to COVID-19 restrictions and today is the first day of my first international trip since August 2019.
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