Turkeys M Hideaways Day 19
Turkeys M Hideaways
Day 19 - 04/25/06 Early Wake-Up, Fly from Istanbul, Frankfurt, Germany, Denver, Colorado, Home
EARLY! Way too early, but much better the original OAT travel itinerary of spending the day in Izmir by ourselves, flying at 10 PM to Istanbul and then spending the night at the Istanbul airport before we could catch the flight to Frankfurt and then home.
We woke up before our 2:45 alarm went off and took a quick shower and were in the lobby by 3:20. We paid our bill and took the very elegant hotel shuttle to the airport. On the way in it had taken us 35 minutes to make the trip. Early in the morning, it only took us 20 minutes.
Everyone entering the airports in Turkey must go through a security screening with all their bags. Once inside, Gennie quickly found the Lufthansa check-in and we were the first in the Business line. We waited for the two hour check-in requirement and then were quickly processed. We went through passport control and then entered the main concourse.
We had been given a pass for the Millennium Lounge for First Class and Business passengers so we went there and had some coffee, juice, fruit, and rolls. I finished my book and Gennie continued to read hers. At 5:20 we went to Gate 221 where we again had to go through security for the flight.
Our flight took off about 15 minutes late and we were on our way to Frankfurt, Germany, a 3 hour flight. I was served a good omelet breakfast and soon after I had an opportunity to nap. We arrived in Frankfurt at 8 but had to stay on a holding pattern for over 20 minutes as it was raining and the air space was congested.
On the ground we got on busses and were taken to Terminal 1, where we would find our Gate 23 for Denver. We stopped at a couple of Duty Free shops and looked for World Cup 2006 memorabilia.
We then moved toward our gate and had to go through a very strict security screening where everyone gets wanded after standing in line for 25 minutes.
We again found the Business Class Lounge and were able to use their computers, checked our emails, wrote to Eduardo to pick us up in Denver and checked world news, something we do not usually do during our trips. We were able to get something things from their food bar - sandwiches, cookies, soda, wine, peanuts, gummy bears, cereal, and anything else a hungry traveler could want.
I found a copy of today's USA TODAY and INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE so that we could catch up on the news and sports. I began to write the journal as we waited for the 1 PM departure. Gennie worked on her UOP class that begins today so she had a head start and did not have to wait until we got home tonight at 6 PM.
Ten minutes before we were supposed to board we went to Gate 23 and were checked in. We then waited for over 30 minutes to begin the boarding procedures. In Frankfurt, it is a mad rush to enter the aircraft. With a Boeing 747 that carries over 500 passengers, this can be a daunting experience.
Take off was over 20 minutes late but we were finally airborne and on our way. We were served a very good meal about 90 minutes into the flight and then we tried to relax for the remaining 7 hours. As we flew north, the skies cleared and we were able to see the Atlantic Ocean, Greenland, Baffin Island, and northern Canada as we flew over. We had spectacular views of the ice shelves, enormous icebergs and the mountainous terrain.
We arrived in Denver about 15 minutes late, just enough to enter immigration and customs directly behind a Frontier flight from Puerto Vallarta. Our luggage was one of the first to be on the carrousel and we proceeded to customs where the agent was concerned with our trip to Turkey and what we had purchased. We must have given all the right answers as we progressed through and met our son Eduardo as we entered the main terminal.
We walked to our car parked on Level 5 of the main garage, loaded our luggage and carry-ons and were on our way. We took E-470 to avoid the afternoon rush hour and then had a quick dinner in Castle Rock before arriving home at 7PM. Our cats were awaiting us and followed us around for the rest of the evening. Gennie started the washing and worked on her UOP class. I checked my mail, showered and went to bed.
Meltem Ciftci Kurgan web site Click Here.
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A CD OF EACH TRIP IS AVAILABLE.
These CDs are compilations of slide presentations of each day (pictures of the events during the day) accompanied by music reflective of the nation and day.
On most CDs there are presentations on the people of the country, people traveling with the group, flowers, and panoramas.
On more recent trips, short videos have been included on the web pages and these videos are also available in the CD.
The CD is available for $20 US. Shipping and handling is included for US addresses. Slightly higher for overseas shipping.
To view an example of the presentations Click Here
As it is an 8:13 presentation, give yourself time to see it in its entirety.
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