Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

IST-SIN (10h 25m) Boeing 787-9 ETD:  5.55pm  (GMT + 3) ETA: 8.30am (GMT + 8) We've finally reached the last post to wrap up this series on my very first round-the-world experience. Starting from Singapore, crossing the vast Pacific Ocean to the Americas to the Americas, and returning via the Atlantic Ocean and beyond, it was an amazing trip. Turkish Airlines TK208 flew me back to Singapore from Istanbul, Turkey.

BOG-PTY (1h 55m) Boeing 777-300ER ETD:  3.55pm (GMT - 5) ETA: 5.50pm (GMT - 5) Turkish Airlines TK800 is a multi-leg route from Istanbul, Turkey to Bogota, Colombia, and then continuing onward to Panama City before heading back to its point of origin. I had the opportunity to experience the latter two legs, marking the longest time I've ever spent inside a Business Class cabin. 

IST-VIE (2h 15m) Airbus 321 ETD: 5.10pm (GMT + 3) ETA: 6.25pm (GMT + 2) Here's a post on the first of the three flights to reach home the long way. It'd been a while since I last flew with Turkish Airlines, the last time being in 2015 for the domestic route from Izmir to Istanbul, Turkey. Hence, the flight from Istanbul, Turkey to Vienna, Austria was my very first international flight with the airline.

1 Terminal Street, Istanbul Airport, Istanbul, Turkey Daily: 24 hours The spacious flagship lounge of Turkish Airlines occupies the upper floor of the transit area of Istanbul Airport. Many have raved about the Turkish Airlines Lounge at the old Istanbul Ataturk Airport , which I've never had the chance to experience, so I'm sure the new one is all th emore going to live up to those praises, right?

1 Terminal Street, Istanbul, Turkey The year 2022 saw me stepping my feet on the new Istanbul Airport for the first time, about 4 years after its inauguration. I mentioned in my previous post on  Azerbaijan Airlines J2 76  that I'd save the post on the airport till later, but little did I know I'd lost all my photos. Such a pity, but anyway I can still briefly write about it, thanks to my BFF for sharing his with me.

GYD-IST (3h 5m) Airbus 320 ETD: 8.50am (GMT + 4) ETA: 10.55am (GMT + 3) It was time to depart from Baku, Azerbaijan for Istanbul, Turkey. Before we jump into it, I need to let all of you know that I've unfortunately lost all photos from that point onwards, and am borrowing from my BFF to feature in the next few posts. Anyway, be honest: how many of us actually pay attention to the safety information card like Pikachu before we fly?

IST-GYD (2h 50m) Airbus 320 ETD: 12.20pm (GMT + 3) ETA: 4.10pm (GMT + 4) Trying out a new airline is something that I always look forward to, so much so that I keep a  record  here in my travel blog. Even though I knew I'd be flying in a rather old aircraft, I was excited to hop aboard the flag carrier of Azerbaijan to its capital city, Baku. As a recap, Georgia is the first Caucasus country that I visited back in 2018, where I touched down at Tbilisi .

SIN-IST (11h) Airbus 350-900 ETD: 1.45am (GMT + 8) ETA: 7.45am (GMT + 3) The time I'd been waiting for finally came. The stationary  Restaurant A380 @ Changi  back in 2020 aside, to feel the excitement of stepping into an aircraft once again after more than two years was truly a blessing. Join me in my first long-haul flight in the Premium Economy Class cabin of the flag carrier of Singapore.

IST-DOH (4h 5m) Boeing 787-8 ETD: 1.35pm (GMT + 3)  ETA:  5.40pm (GMT + 3) As a recap, my journey to the Middle East and Africa last year began with Qatar Airways QR957 in the Economy Class that brought me to Qatar, Doha from Jakarta, Indonesia. Thanks to quite a good deal that I managed to get, I had the chance to fly in the Business Class for the return trip.

2/F International Terminal, Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey Daily: 24 hours Millennium Lounge is the last lounge that my BFF and I visited at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. We had free access to the lounge as we'd be travelling in style with Qatar Airways all the way back to Jakarta, Indonesia. It's not a big lounge, but thankfully it wasn't crowded when we were there.

15 Ataturk Street, Istanbul, Turkey Ever since the closure of  Istanbul Ataturk Airport  to scheduled passenger flights, I suppose business at both WOW Istanbul Hotel (5*) and WOW Airport Hotel (4*) must've been hit quite a bit. However, they are still convenient for those who need to go to the nearby Istanbul World Trade Centre, Istanbul Convention Centre and CNR Expo Centre.

Buyukada, Istanbul, Turkey Today's post shall be the last of Buyukada series, which highlights the highest point of the island where a Greek Orthodox church is standing on. Do take a look at the ferry ride ,  Buyukada (Part 1) and  Dilburnu Nature Park  for a complete picture of the day trek that I did with my BFF and my sister.

Buyukada, Istanbul, Turkey Good afternoon from Singapore! Pikachu, Melon and I are back, so it's time to continue with our story at Buyukada. Be sure to check out the ferry ride and  Buyukada (Part 1)  as a refresher or if you haven't done so. The westernmost point of Buyukada is located at Dilburnu Nature Park, which is shown below.

Buyukada, Istanbul, Turkey Literally meaning 'big island', Buyukada is the largest of the nine Princes' Islands with an area of 5.46 square kilometres. Rich in history and culture, the island is inhabited by more than 7,000 people. Having two peaks, it's a perfect destination for a day trip for those who enjoy trekking.

Eminonu-Buyukada (1h 35m)          Buyukada-Eminonu (1h 40m) ETD: 10.00am (GMT + 3)                ETD: 5.35pm (GMT + 3) ETA:  11.35am (GMT + 3)                 ETA: 7.15pm (GMT + 3) Princes' Islands are a cluster of nine islands located to the southeast of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. I told my sister that my BFF and I'd like to go to the largest island called Buyukada for a day of trekking, and it turned out that she hadn't been there herself.

25 Piyer Loti Street, Istanbul, Turkey Daily: 9.00am - 7.00pm How many of you have heard about Theodosius Cistern? While the renowned Basilica Cistern is the largest surviving cistern that lie beneath Istanbul, Theodosius Cistern only covers an area of approximately 45 by 25 metres. It's once again open to the public after undergoing restoration work for 8 years.

Alemdar Street, Istanbul, Turkey Daily: 6.00am - 10.30pm Known to be one of the most expansive public parks in Istanbul, Gulhane Park is a historical urban park that was once part of the outer garden of Topkapi Palace . To think about it, it's funny that I actually forgot to visit the park when I stayed at Gulhane Park Hotel  back in December 2017.

3 Nobethane Street, Istanbul, Turkey Does anyone remember about my rather unpleasant experience at Gulhane Park Hotel ? Last December, I decided to stay in the same area again due to its prime location. Hotellino (4*) was my choice, which is actually located directly next to Gulhane Park Hotel.

AUH-IST (5h 20m) Airbus 330-200 ETD: 9.30am (GMT + 4)  ETA: 1 .50pm (GMT + 3) Today's post is on yet another flight with Etihad Airways. EY97 brought my BFF and me from Abu Dhabi, the UAE to Istanbul, Turkey for a reunion with my sister who's currently studying at Marmara University. Till date, I've gone to the city that was formely Constantinople three times.

IST-JED (3h 50m) Airbus 330-343R ETD: 3.30pm (GMT + 3)  ETA:  7.20pm (GMT + 3) Welcome back! Before anything else, let's continue the story regarding my journey from Istanbul, Turkey to Jakarta, Indonesia via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabian Airlines, or Saudia in short, is said to be the third largest in the Middle East in terms of revenue. No prize for guessing, but it's behind Emirates and Qatar Airways.