Round The World and other travels

A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries

This is: Japan 2014

Turkish delight

(Link to flight log in side panel)

ABOVE: The fabulous Turkish Airlines lounge at Istanbul Ataturk Airport

Following my first flight with Turkish Airlines, on which the culinary offerings had proved to be a revelation, I had a layover of just under four hours at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. I spent most of the time in the excellent, spacious and imaginatively designed TK lounge. The airport seemed fairly busy at the early hour of my arrival (before 5am local time!) and would soon be teeming with passengers. Even the vast, two-floor lounge was busier than I had expected. After a full breakfast on TK53, I limited myself to a coffee at first. Eventually I spotted some lentil soup and decided, a little strangely for the time of day, that it was just what I felt like. That's jet lag for you!

(Link to flight log in side panel)

ABOVE: Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Edinburgh

I arrived in a pleasantly sunny Edinburgh Airport a few minutes ahead of schedule. The conditions outside were especially welcome because, as I had just seen from the air, the city itself was shrouded in mist. Once my suitcase appeared on the carousel, my journey home could hardly have proceeded more smoothly for a Sunday morning: a tram to the station, a five-minute wait for a train and a cab ready to complete the process at the other end. And the sun stayed with me throughout!

I was left to ponder another amazing trip that had just ended, adding hundreds of colourful new pieces to the kaleidoscope of travel memories that constantly turns within my head. In addition to the various destinations, major highlights would have to include the polite and friendly people of Japan and the many wonderful (and healthy!) meals, as well as the whole, new, cruise-ship experience. With regard to the latter, Bruce had several times expressed a wish during the week at sea, that he would "really like this to become a regular event". I think I finally managed to convince him that he was pushing at an open door.