SIN - IST via DXB

[kapitan]

Thought I would have a quiet weekend at home, but alas no... recieved a call on Sat morning, contacted TA immediately, got a F seat as Y and J were not available and flew off in the night on SQ490.

Checked in at F check in at T2, got my BP printed, yes QPP status was also printed in BP, lady at counter even underlined it. My luggage was tag First Class and the golden Solitaire tag was also put on my check in.

Proceeded to the F lounge and it was quiet, very quiet, with only about 4 other pax in the lounge. As I smoke, went into the smoke room, I was all alone for the good part of the first half match between Fulham and Liverpool.

Sector SIN - DBX was the sleeping sector, only one meal was served, where I elected to have it 2 hours before arrival. Spent the night trying to sleep on the F seat, which of the old type, aircraft being at 777-300.

Arrived at DBX on time, and I disembark, wanted to go to a real toilet... found the Star Alliance lounge, after having to go through security. Did what I had to do in the lounge and proceed to reboard the plane. Line to counter was long, there was no priority line for J & F paxs, , so had to wait in line patiently like all others....

Pull out camera and starting taking pictures...





The F seats, old hardware, kind of disapointed as I thought it would be different.


Parked next to the SQ plane is a Emirates Air plane....


While plane was taxi-ing towards runway, snap a picture of the Terminal


Some night shots of Dubai...

[kapitan]

After settling down to cruise altitude, breakfast was served....

Table setting...


Fruits to start the meal...


Cereal with yogurt....well, I mix the cornflakes with yogurt...yummy..


Main course, which I chose prawn dumplings......


After meal, tried getting some sleep, but saw that the sun is rising, I love sunrise....

[kapitan]

Approaching Istanbul, spectacular view of Europe and Asia...




and here a view of the Black Sea....


The flight path towards landing is over some densely built up area...

[kapitan]

Finally touch down and taxi-ing towards parking bay....





Tukish delights... I mean Air...

[kapitan]

To be continued... need my sleep.....

[planemad]

Hi-ho Kapitan

Interesting read seeing how I will be flying on J class to Istanbul later in the year. Disappoint to hear that the planes are the old 737-300, but I suppose it has to do with load factors. Are the J-class seats the old Ultimo seats? Looking forward to reading more of your TR, especially the return leg. Also, your impressions of Istanbul please if you have the time...

[kapitan]

Hi-ho Kapitan

Interesting read seeing how I will be flying on J class to Istanbul later in the year. Disappoint to hear that the planes are the old 737-300, but I suppose it has to do with load factors. Are the J-class seats the old Ultimo seats? Looking forward to reading more of your TR, especially the return leg. Also, your impressions of Istanbul please if you have the time...

Guess the J is the old seats too, where they cannot recline fully....

Load factors, the flight was full to chock a block.....

Initial plan was to actually stay one day in Istanbul after my work, but since I am early, I have re-routed and will depart from IST to FRA and catch the SQ325 (77ER) home from there, in J class, at least I will have a full flat bed.....

Will post more pictures when I get home....

[SQflyergirl]

Great Report. It's been ages since i was last in Turkiye!

Thanks for sharing.

[N_Architect]

Good report (and likewise good move to fly to FRA for the return leg on the 77ER...)

Thanks for posting.

[kapitan]

Good report (and likewise good move to fly to FRA for the return leg on the 77ER...)

Thanks for posting.

Yes, I think good move too...... at least I get better seats.... but blardy IST check in could not issue me a boarding pass... I am now sitting by SQ counter waiting for them to open so I could check in and go into the lounge for a shower......

[kapitan]

Ok.. continuing my pictures....

Next went to a place called Gemlik... to give you a perspective of the directions I took, here's a map... journey started out from Istanbul... then a ferry ride back to Istanbul for a plane ride home....


found Gemlik quite interesting.. small town... unlike the big gleaming city you find here in Singapore... things which you don't see anymore are still here,... people friendly....


View from my hotel room balcony, this is about the best hotel here,... clean and no stars... with disused swimming pool... but interestingly, they have free wifi...

Took a walk along the water front.... peaceful, warm..



City area....


of course there are mosques...


saw an interesting bakery... bread seems to be the staple with Turks... every other corners you will find shop selling bread.. though not like this...


Old style oven...

[kapitan]

Of course, we have kebab....






No I did not try the food... the shop keeper not friendly towards me.... so no buying from me...

[kapitan]

More pictures from the city.....

we have shoe shine ..... this is definitely not found in Singapore..




The turks are very patriotic... the flag is found hung everywhere.... even on a person... I took this picture and the next moment his mobile rang and he started talking on the phone... he have to stay connected even selling flags...


Stop for coffee at one of those waterfront cafe... asked for turkish coffee.. but they don't have, insist of serving me nescafe, which is 2 turkish liras (1USD = 1.3lira)

[kapitan]

This is the restarant I went for lunch.... it was arranged so that I don't have to pay out of my pocket as they have credit facility with the people I deal with...



I was served starters.... salad and shrimp ....


I chose a fish... do not know what fish this is, but it was grilled to perfection, the meat was sweet and juicy, not overcooked.... yummy!!



and of course, I finish the meal with a turkish coffee and some smoke...

[kapitan]

Finished with what I had to do and I had to be transported back to istanbul... best way to do this is to take a FeriBot.... or ferry boat.... taking a car around the bay would take about 4 to 5 hours, with a feribot, it took 1 hour....




Entrance to the salon deck is by the stern ramp, which this boat is also a car ferry..


View of the salon...




Stairs leading to business class, which was empty...


A trip on the ferry cost 12 lira, which is way uch cheaper then by car, btw petrol is 3.5 liras per litre...

cafeteria onboard...


and the nice gal that served me coffee...


approaching Istanbul...



and off to the airport I went to catch a flight to Frankfurt to catch SQ325 for my onward journey home....