Another night of little sleep. Woke up the same time as the night before (1:30am). Called down to the desk and they sent up a security guy. He heard it and knew what is was and where it was coming from – the kitchen below us. Within 10 minutes it had stopped but started up again.
Woke up at 7am and met the Taskers for breakfast at 8. Then we all went out to see the sights. It had been raining but it let up by the time we left the ship at 9. Not a whole lot to see in Izmir. It started raining again at one point and we stopped and huddled under a large umbrella for some shelter (see photo – Sean had set the camera to timer mode and he hit a button by mistake that changed the color of the photo).
Walked around a bit more but we were wet so all but David grabbed a cab and went back to the ship.
When we got back I went to see about a room change and they had a new room for us so we changed rooms (this is the trip of room changes). We are now in an obstructed view room but my big concern was what was above and below the cabin – just cabins above and a hallway below.
Met another woman (Lisa) that I had met online today for a drink. She and her husband are joining us on our tour of Athens tomorrow.
Carleigh went to the buffet for dinner while I met Lisa and then joined me while I ate at the Blue Lagoon.
Tonight we went to see the comedy show.
Tomorrow Athens and they are forecasting sunny and 26 C - finally some sun and heat!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Istanbul day 3
Woke up early this morning. Didn't sleep well last – cabin is very noisy at night from the workers. Haven't figured out where it is coming from but I did go down to the front desk first thing and issued a complaint. NCL have been great in contacting me throughout the day and if it is still an issue tomorrow we hopefully will get moved.
Carleigh wanted a sleep-in day so I met Carol, David & Sean (the Taskers) for breakfast and then we took a tram to a Mosque to take some photos. We then went to the Spice Market and the Grand Bazaar. What an amazing place! The Grand Bazaar is huge – 5000 stores! I was glad I was with them (they had been before) or I would still be there trying to find my way out.
We then walk to a little sweet shop so Sean could buy some Baklava and then we stopped at a cafe for a coffee. (and Sean shared his sweets).
Next stop was a small grocery store to pick up some water and pop. Then Carol, Sean and I came back to the ship and David went off to a tower to take some photos.
For lunch Carleigh and I went up to the buffet (again).
I met with one of my cruise critic/facebook friends Cheryl at 2pm. It was nice to meet after talking online for a few months.
This afternoon I went to the Muster drill (Carleigh had gone in the morning).
Carleigh and I grabbed a bite to eat at Blue Lagoon and then went to the Canadians social to meet fellow Canadians. Only about 20 of the 235 on board were there.
Met the Taskers for dinner at one of the restaurants but they had a line up so we went to the buffet (Carleigh and I just had dessert) and had a nice chat about our plans for tomorrow in Izmir.
Early evening tonight and hope I sleep better.
Carleigh wanted a sleep-in day so I met Carol, David & Sean (the Taskers) for breakfast and then we took a tram to a Mosque to take some photos. We then went to the Spice Market and the Grand Bazaar. What an amazing place! The Grand Bazaar is huge – 5000 stores! I was glad I was with them (they had been before) or I would still be there trying to find my way out.
We then walk to a little sweet shop so Sean could buy some Baklava and then we stopped at a cafe for a coffee. (and Sean shared his sweets).
Next stop was a small grocery store to pick up some water and pop. Then Carol, Sean and I came back to the ship and David went off to a tower to take some photos.
For lunch Carleigh and I went up to the buffet (again).
I met with one of my cruise critic/facebook friends Cheryl at 2pm. It was nice to meet after talking online for a few months.
This afternoon I went to the Muster drill (Carleigh had gone in the morning).
Carleigh and I grabbed a bite to eat at Blue Lagoon and then went to the Canadians social to meet fellow Canadians. Only about 20 of the 235 on board were there.
Met the Taskers for dinner at one of the restaurants but they had a line up so we went to the buffet (Carleigh and I just had dessert) and had a nice chat about our plans for tomorrow in Izmir.
Early evening tonight and hope I sleep better.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Nov 2/09 Istanbul day 2.
We headed up to the rooftop terrace for breakfast. It is a lovely spot with a great view. A plentiful breakfast of breads, biscuits, cookies, fruit, cereal, cheese, meats, olives, juices and wonderful coffee.
We enjoyed the sunshine while watching it rain.
After breakfast it stopped raining and we went out for a walk.
Checked out and took a cab to the ship.
We were on board the Jade by noon. We walked around exploring and grabbing a bite to eat.
Speaking of eating – Something I had the night before was not agreeing with me and I didn't feel like venturing too far so stayed on board today.
Our room was ready by 2pm and our luggage was there by 3pm. We unpacked and settled in to our cute little cabin. We then went up to the card room for a nice window view of the city (it started raining just as we were boarding) We played cards and trivia. My ears had been bothering me since the flight yesterday and they finally cleared while we were laughing. My head feels so much better!
We met David & Carol for dinner at the buffet and then Carleigh and I went to play group trivia (we didn't win) and then went to see the welcome aboard show. Then back to the room to relax and work on this blog.
Tomorrow – getting up early to sightsee/shop before we set sail at 2pm!
WILL POST PHOTOS TOMORROW
We enjoyed the sunshine while watching it rain.
After breakfast it stopped raining and we went out for a walk.
Checked out and took a cab to the ship.
We were on board the Jade by noon. We walked around exploring and grabbing a bite to eat.
Speaking of eating – Something I had the night before was not agreeing with me and I didn't feel like venturing too far so stayed on board today.
Our room was ready by 2pm and our luggage was there by 3pm. We unpacked and settled in to our cute little cabin. We then went up to the card room for a nice window view of the city (it started raining just as we were boarding) We played cards and trivia. My ears had been bothering me since the flight yesterday and they finally cleared while we were laughing. My head feels so much better!
We met David & Carol for dinner at the buffet and then Carleigh and I went to play group trivia (we didn't win) and then went to see the welcome aboard show. Then back to the room to relax and work on this blog.
Tomorrow – getting up early to sightsee/shop before we set sail at 2pm!
WILL POST PHOTOS TOMORROW
Nov. 1/09 Istanbul day 1
We got up early for our 9:50am flight to Istanbul.
Headed to the airport and walked around waiting for our flight to board. Grabbed a quick bite and then boarded our plane. We were a little late leaving but finally took off. The weather was raining and windy so the first part of the flight was bumpy. They served a hot breakfast of some kind of meat my little plastic knife couldn't cut, 3 potato nuggets, tomato slice, what Carleigh said was eggs, yogurt, fruit, roll with jam and juice.
The weather in Istanbul was similar to London and got bumpy as we started to descend. The pilot came and said we were starting our approach and it may be bumpy. Then a loud buzzer sounded twice and then a recording announced “ATTENTION ATTENTION THIS IS AN EMERGEN...” 5 seconds later the pilot came back on apologizing for pressing the wrong button. I think I needed to change my pants!
Our landing was bumpy but I was just glad to be on the ground!!!
I had arranged with the hotel to have a car there for us which of course wasn't there. We waited and waited and I finally met the man who worked for our hotel but our name was not on the list. I am so glad I printed off the email and brought it with me since the driver called the hotel and he said he hadn't received my email with our flight info. We then had to wait again but I am not sure why because he did not speak good English. Finally I said we were taking a cab and left him trying to talk us into staying.
Arrived at the hotel to the owner apologizing his emails from that time had been deleted.
We checked in to the hotel – very cute little place in the old section of the city with VERY narrow roads.
Carol & David, our Tasmanian friends from our last cruise came by with their son Sean and we went out for a beer and then some Kebabs and another beer at another place. The waiter at the second place loves Canada and joked with Carleigh, giving her the store's number and telling her to call him. The food was ok but the beer was good.
It was a fun evening.
Headed to the airport and walked around waiting for our flight to board. Grabbed a quick bite and then boarded our plane. We were a little late leaving but finally took off. The weather was raining and windy so the first part of the flight was bumpy. They served a hot breakfast of some kind of meat my little plastic knife couldn't cut, 3 potato nuggets, tomato slice, what Carleigh said was eggs, yogurt, fruit, roll with jam and juice.
The weather in Istanbul was similar to London and got bumpy as we started to descend. The pilot came and said we were starting our approach and it may be bumpy. Then a loud buzzer sounded twice and then a recording announced “ATTENTION ATTENTION THIS IS AN EMERGEN...” 5 seconds later the pilot came back on apologizing for pressing the wrong button. I think I needed to change my pants!
Our landing was bumpy but I was just glad to be on the ground!!!
I had arranged with the hotel to have a car there for us which of course wasn't there. We waited and waited and I finally met the man who worked for our hotel but our name was not on the list. I am so glad I printed off the email and brought it with me since the driver called the hotel and he said he hadn't received my email with our flight info. We then had to wait again but I am not sure why because he did not speak good English. Finally I said we were taking a cab and left him trying to talk us into staying.
Arrived at the hotel to the owner apologizing his emails from that time had been deleted.
We checked in to the hotel – very cute little place in the old section of the city with VERY narrow roads.
Carol & David, our Tasmanian friends from our last cruise came by with their son Sean and we went out for a beer and then some Kebabs and another beer at another place. The waiter at the second place loves Canada and joked with Carleigh, giving her the store's number and telling her to call him. The food was ok but the beer was good.
It was a fun evening.
Catching Up
Our flight to London was very smooth and event free. A snack and a hot breakfast helped kill some time. Neither of us slept but we might have if it had not been for the noise coming from the seat behind. The man snorted his nose every few minutes (very loudly) and then he fell asleep and snored (very loudly). This is the second time I have had a noisy person behind me on an overnight flight to London (and it only my second flight to London).
Having arrived with no sleep, we were both very tired. We did a little shopping at the airport and then went to our hotel hoping to check in early. We were in luck and our room was ready. We had a quiet day napping and trying to adjust to the time change. Pizza from the hotel restaurant for dinner and we called it a night.
We woke up refreshed and ready to go.
We took the shuttle back to the airport (which didn't charge for Carleigh because under 15 is free – she is almost 21!) and then the tube into London – first stop Harrods! What a store!
We picked up a store guide with map. We went to see the Diana & Dodi memorial. Then went window shopping to see what we will buy on our return in 2 weeks.
Then we got back on the tube and went to Covent Gardens. While riding the tube it says that Covent Garden's tube stop can be busy especially on the weekend. Not paying attention we got off at that stop. Big mistake! VERY busy with a huge line for the lift so we decided to take the stairs. I really need to pay attention to what I read since as we started up the steps it clearly said “these stairs have 193 steps”. This did not sink in until we were up a few steps and the crowd behind was growing so no turning back. The higher we climbed the more people were stopped taking a breath. We made it without stopping but needed a rest at the top.
Covent Gardens has a huge market there on Saturdays. We wandered around but it was really really busy and hard to look at anything so we went looking for a map. Finally found one of the area and started walking. We walked to the Strand and then went on to Waterloo bridge. Walked along the Thames until we got to Big Ben. At this point we had walked off the map I had so I went looking for a bigger one with no luck. I stopped and asked a Bobbie and Bobbiette how to get to Buckingham Palace (BP) and they directed us in that direction. We walked past Westminster Abbey and there was a sign with directions to BP. Once at BP we tried to get back on our map to get to Piccadilly Circus. We headed in that direction but missed a little and ended up at Trafalgar Square. I had been here last time and remember how to get to Piccadilly from there. We walked 2 blocks and we were back on the map. Ending at Piccadilly we wanted to get a bite to eat at a pub – no such luck. We walked and walked all the side streets but couldn't find one. Finally came to one – the Red Lion and it was lined up out the door! We went back to Piccadilly and got pizza at a Pizza Hut! (this was our second meal of pizza and we hadn't even reached Italy yet!)
We headed for the tube to go back to the hotel but the tube was not running from that station so we walked to the next station but not running from there either. We ended up taking a different tube line in the wrong direct to another tube line and then finally getting on our tube which was standing room. Finally made it back to the hotel after a very full day of sightseeing!
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