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Day 3, Saturday 5 October
La Casa Departure…….. As mentioned yesterday, breakfast is not included at La Casa Suite but neither is it needed as we can buy everything we need just opposite the hotel. However, there has to be a little more urgency today as we will be leaving. An exploratory trip a couple of days ago has confirmed that high-speed trains depart from Söğütlüçeşme and is easy to reach on the Marmary line but requires a 15-minute walk to Yenikapi Railway Station but at least it’s not uphill. The next service to Ankara is at 11:45am and we should reach it easily. However, we’ve been told that the bus is the easier option timewise at least. When I ask the guys in the hotel, they’re not convinced there is a high-speed train connection from Söğütlüçeşme but I’m aware this service has only been introduced in the last few months. Previously you had to travel much further east to catch a high-speed train from Pendik Station.
La Casa Departure…….. As mentioned yesterday, breakfast is not included at La Casa Suite but neither is it needed as we can buy everything we need just opposite the hotel. However, there has to be a little more urgency today as we will be leaving. An exploratory trip a couple of days ago has confirmed that high-speed trains depart from Söğütlüçeşme and is easy to reach on the Marmary line but requires a 15-minute walk to Yenikapi Railway Station but at least it’s not uphill. The next service to Ankara is at 11:45am and we should reach it easily. However, we’ve been told that the bus is the easier option timewise at least. When I ask the guys in the hotel, they’re not convinced there is a high-speed train connection from Söğütlüçeşme but I’m aware this service has only been introduced in the last few months. Previously you had to travel much further east to catch a high-speed train from Pendik Station.
L-R - Sirkeci Terminal Station, Marmary line, Söğütlüçeşme Station
Söğütlüçeşme Railway Station……..
Söğütlüçeşme Railway Station is an interchange station for commuter and national trains. Well, on arrival for all this planning there is one thing I forgot to check. Apparently, you can’t just turn up and go. You need to book your ticket first to reserve a seat. Blah! The only option now is a Plan B. We need to retrace our steps and return to Yenikapi Railway Station then transfer to the metro. All metro services from this station connect with Otogar Station (bus terminal) where there are plenty of bus companies operating a service to Ankara. However, we’ve lost valuable time. At the terminal we’re ushered quickly into an office to get a ticket. The service will depart at 1pm arriving at 8 pm, a lot later than the high-speed train. The upside is that the price is quite reasonable at 70 Turkish lire per person.
Istanbul Departure…….. The bus leaves on time under swirling cloud and drizzle that I haven’t seen since I arrived. As I can follow the route via GPS, I’m curious as to why the service takes so long. As the bus makes a wide arc around the north of the city, it returns to the Istanbul suburbs on the Asia side picking up more passengers from several collection points. After about 2 1/2 hours we’ve barely left the city and we both need a comfort break but are denied until the bus is well clear of the city.
More stops are made to collect or drop off at smaller towns then after some four hours there is a comfort break and a change of driver. With a new driver in place it gives me the opportunity to make a comment on the disgusting smoking habits of the Turks. In fact, this particular driver is so able to multitask that he is able to smoke, talk on his mobile phone and reverse the bus all at the same time Now that is amazing!
Topography…….. The route east of Istanbul follows the northern edge of the sea of Marmara then proceeds into the mountains, initially densely wooded but as the elevation increases a more barren landscape appears. All the while we are rising onto the plateau.
Ankara arrival…….. With light traffic and no more stops, we make better progress but an 8 pm arrival now seems optimistic. Although approaching the Ring Road at that time, it takes the best part of 30 minutes to reach the bus terminal. Disembarking, we enter a huge terminal building and Katoon is getting flustered. I have to keep calm and take a comfort break. Returning, I notice a taxi rank on the other side of the building. It has to be the exit strategy now this late in the day to take a taxi to the hotel. Katoon always so conscious, almost distrustful wants to know the price but it’s irrelevant. The taxes are metred and the driver is polite and helpful.
Istanbul Departure…….. The bus leaves on time under swirling cloud and drizzle that I haven’t seen since I arrived. As I can follow the route via GPS, I’m curious as to why the service takes so long. As the bus makes a wide arc around the north of the city, it returns to the Istanbul suburbs on the Asia side picking up more passengers from several collection points. After about 2 1/2 hours we’ve barely left the city and we both need a comfort break but are denied until the bus is well clear of the city.
More stops are made to collect or drop off at smaller towns then after some four hours there is a comfort break and a change of driver. With a new driver in place it gives me the opportunity to make a comment on the disgusting smoking habits of the Turks. In fact, this particular driver is so able to multitask that he is able to smoke, talk on his mobile phone and reverse the bus all at the same time Now that is amazing!
Topography…….. The route east of Istanbul follows the northern edge of the sea of Marmara then proceeds into the mountains, initially densely wooded but as the elevation increases a more barren landscape appears. All the while we are rising onto the plateau.
Ankara arrival…….. With light traffic and no more stops, we make better progress but an 8 pm arrival now seems optimistic. Although approaching the Ring Road at that time, it takes the best part of 30 minutes to reach the bus terminal. Disembarking, we enter a huge terminal building and Katoon is getting flustered. I have to keep calm and take a comfort break. Returning, I notice a taxi rank on the other side of the building. It has to be the exit strategy now this late in the day to take a taxi to the hotel. Katoon always so conscious, almost distrustful wants to know the price but it’s irrelevant. The taxes are metred and the driver is polite and helpful.
L-R - Esenler Otogari (Bus Terminal), Ankara, Demora Hotel
Demora Hotel……..
Arriving at Demora Hotel, the facade is impressive, perhaps not the Hilton but wow! This is a step up in class again. The bellboy retrieves the luggage and ushers us to the reception. Here I’m told the first night has been taken from my credit card and have the option to have the next two nights taken off my card as well. I agree to that to remove any pressure on remaining cash resources. It also proves that my credit card is active again. The bellboy with luggage loaded, leads the way to the room on the 4th floor. Not much after 9pm we’re settling in to a massive suite, arguably the most impressive room I’ve ever stayed in. It’s hard to comprehend that I stepped from a slum into a palace in just a few days. This is truly payback time. Next Page.