If you know me personally, I started travelling in a S(MAR?)T way, mostly specific and time-bound. And that leads to a frustrating day especially when you are not alone. That lead to spontaneous traveling in both the Philippines and others, be it alone, with my travel buddy Kenny and even a large group of a dozen. All it takes is faith (See my 2016 Davao Oriental to Surigao Del Sur trip), prayer (Our Davao pre-bombing story) and money (but of course).
So what of this Turkey trip?
What really is behind this random trip with my college friends and her husband?
THE STORY BEHIND
An update from a certain embassy of a tourist visa rejection (Hey IE! But I got approved latter) made me furious and the winter spell is fast approaching that I wanted to go out of United Kingdom. To myself, a country still in the Eurasia but haven't been before, so probably Turkey hits perfectly.
One of my friend who recently went there, Catrina, told me that the visa process is easy-peasy so I had to try it myself and after 2 minutes and $20 deducted from my account, got my visa. Coincidentally, my friend Emie is going to be on leave at those dates and told her about it and they (with her husband) tried to process the visa and got it. Alyssa, on the other hand took some time to think as she has work on some of those dates but was willing to call it off due to burn out, and who are we to not support her mental health? And that leaves the four of us deciding that trip in just a week.
So what of this Turkey trip?
What really is behind this random trip with my college friends and her husband?
THE STORY BEHIND
An update from a certain embassy of a tourist visa rejection (Hey IE! But I got approved latter) made me furious and the winter spell is fast approaching that I wanted to go out of United Kingdom. To myself, a country still in the Eurasia but haven't been before, so probably Turkey hits perfectly.
One of my friend who recently went there, Catrina, told me that the visa process is easy-peasy so I had to try it myself and after 2 minutes and $20 deducted from my account, got my visa. Coincidentally, my friend Emie is going to be on leave at those dates and told her about it and they (with her husband) tried to process the visa and got it. Alyssa, on the other hand took some time to think as she has work on some of those dates but was willing to call it off due to burn out, and who are we to not support her mental health? And that leaves the four of us deciding that trip in just a week.
This is just a concise list of expenses/activities
DAY 0
Stansted Dinner with water : GBP 20
Day 1
Alyssa and I started the trip with taking the metro from SAW to the city and nearly being scammed by an Uber Driver. A big thanks to the coffee shop crew who told us "NEVER TRUST TAXI DRIVERS". Even the locals won't take cabs there. It was raining cats and dogs as we exited the metro but successfully arrived our hotel, that is primely located in tourist spots.
Emie and Carl arrived the night before and were constantly communicating with us, thanks to the coffee shop's Wi-Fi.
After a quick rest, we went out and just walked around until we reached Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Souq and Bazaars.
The next day became more laxed as the rain still goes on, then we went to Istanbul's largest shopping mall, Istanbul Mall then wrapped the day with that traditional Turkish Hammam for the three of us girls.
Istanbul Metro Kard: GBP 3.54 / 2
Istanbul Train Kard: GBP 5.02 / 2
Top Up: GBP 1.48 / 2
Coffee: TL 120
Istanbul Museum : GBP 9.70
Shawl : TL 20
Umbrella : TL 150
Dessert : GBP 13.12
Dinner c/o Carl
Day 2
Top Up: TL 200 / 2
Lunch: TL 120 + TL 160 + TL 990 / 4
Nine West Boots: TL 1499
Hammam Package : TL 5100 / 3
DAY 0
Stansted Dinner with water : GBP 20
Day 1
Alyssa and I started the trip with taking the metro from SAW to the city and nearly being scammed by an Uber Driver. A big thanks to the coffee shop crew who told us "NEVER TRUST TAXI DRIVERS". Even the locals won't take cabs there. It was raining cats and dogs as we exited the metro but successfully arrived our hotel, that is primely located in tourist spots.
Emie and Carl arrived the night before and were constantly communicating with us, thanks to the coffee shop's Wi-Fi.
After a quick rest, we went out and just walked around until we reached Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Souq and Bazaars.
The next day became more laxed as the rain still goes on, then we went to Istanbul's largest shopping mall, Istanbul Mall then wrapped the day with that traditional Turkish Hammam for the three of us girls.
Istanbul Metro Kard: GBP 3.54 / 2
Istanbul Train Kard: GBP 5.02 / 2
Top Up: GBP 1.48 / 2
Coffee: TL 120
Istanbul Museum : GBP 9.70
Shawl : TL 20
Umbrella : TL 150
Dessert : GBP 13.12
Dinner c/o Carl
Day 2
Top Up: TL 200 / 2
Lunch: TL 120 + TL 160 + TL 990 / 4
Nine West Boots: TL 1499
Hammam Package : TL 5100 / 3
Day 3
Mango top: TL 449
Lunch: TL 3599 / 4
Cable Car: TL 15
Turkish Coffee: TL 60
Souvenir: TL 295 + TL 230
Soap: TL 125
Wooden Souvenir: TL 50
Tea: TL 120
Galata Cheesecake: TL 150 + TL 270
Dinner: TL 1999/4
Mango top: TL 449
Lunch: TL 3599 / 4
Cable Car: TL 15
Turkish Coffee: TL 60
Souvenir: TL 295 + TL 230
Soap: TL 125
Wooden Souvenir: TL 50
Tea: TL 120
Galata Cheesecake: TL 150 + TL 270
Dinner: TL 1999/4
It seems that the day went by swiftly that all I can remember is eating great food, walking and taking public transportations and just spending time with my friends. Since Turkey is in central Asia that has the Bosporus River joins the East from the West, we have traversed to the Asian side, thanks to Carl's navigational skill. After all, sometimes, that was guys are made of (kidding aside).
Thanks to our hotel who arranged our transportation to the airport too!
Day 4
Carlift to SAW: TL 1100/4
Mcdo Breakfast:TL 520
Accommodation for 4 days: GBP 165
Total Expenses per head for 4 days: TL 289.61
Thanks to our hotel who arranged our transportation to the airport too!
Day 4
Carlift to SAW: TL 1100/4
Mcdo Breakfast:TL 520
Accommodation for 4 days: GBP 165
Total Expenses per head for 4 days: TL 289.61