Turkish Delights

Saturday, May 23, 2009
Istanbul, Turkey
Arriving in Istanbul

I have been a little apprehensive about getting from the Instanbul Atturk Airport to the Renaissance Hotel . i had asked the Marriott Travel Desk to let the hote lknow we would need transport but had no idea where, and how, I was to get it. Nothing could have been smoother. Entry through Turkish Customs was fast and easy. After obtaining our bags, we walked directly out to a curbside spot that clearly marked where the Renaissance van to stop. The van came and, to the sound of what must have been Turkish Pop music, we arrived at the hotel. There, another spleasant surprise awaited us. "Well," the clerk at the front desk said, "you are Marriott Elite, would you mind if we place you on our 22nd floor private floor?"

Now who am I to object to what the young ladywanted to do? Especially, I might add, after she said that there was a private lounge with evening canapes and drinks, breakfast in the morning, and Internet workstations. What really made me excited was that these rooms were on the water side -- a view of the famous Bosphorus Straits.

The view was indeed as dramatic as one could wish. Far below us was a lagoon and lighthouse and, to the left and to the right, were the straits with ships anchored and moving in both directions. Our first day had indeed gone very well.

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