My time in Pamukkale had come to a close and it was time to make my final journey to Istanbul. As I went to check out of my hostel one of the owners inquired where I would be going next. I told her the local airport and she asked how I planned on getting there. As I was telling her my plan she stopped me midway and told me that there was a shuttle that came by the hostel at 5pm that could take me to the airport. There are only two flights a day so the shuttles are aligned with those times. Being as I was stressing about how I would navigate the bus system again I had her book me a spot.
With my problems now mostly solved I had about 5 hours to kill. No better way to do that than another trip to the cotton castle.
On the way up I played with my camera settings a little and got pretty much the shot I was looking for.
Once I reached Hierapolis I decided to embark on the parts I didn't have enough time to cover the day before. More of the same types of things but still very cool.
As I was hiking I looked up and realized I had been doing this wrong all along.
I really missed out on an awesome experience. Oh well, bucket list I guess. Even this guy was impressed.
I spent another few hours hiking and then decided to grab some early dinner in town before my flight. On my way back down I noticed a group of people wearing shoes on the limestone. I couldn’t figure out how they got past the security. I slowly realized they were hired to pick up all the leaves that had fallen the following day.
Once I reached the bottom I explored the small 'down town' to find something that looked good. I then ran into this:
There was a Japanese restaurant in the middle of nowhere Turkey. I couldn’t believe it. And it was legit, the white board outside was in hand written Japanese. I couldn’t resist. They had my favorite curry rice so of course that’s what I ordered.
It was better than the curry rice I had in Tokyo earlier in the year (although that was in the airport). It really hit the spot. Refuled I went back to my hostel and waited for the bus. Not long after it arrived and I was off to the airport.
The airport was very small and was only served by Turkish Airlines as far as I could tell. I got through easily and made my way to the plane through the crowded runway.
It was another short flight and once on the ground I went to find the subway to prevent another expensive cab ride. The train system in Istanbul is very easy to navigate and I got to my hostel with no issues. I checked in and the guy went to take me to my room but instead of going towards the other rooms in the building we left it and went down the street. He then led me to my own personal apartment above a jewelery store.
The inside is pretty shitty i.e. broken handles everywhere, little dirty, no lights in the bathroom, no clean towels, broken toilet flusher, ect. But the security door is strong, the location is phenomenal, and I have my own friggin apartment so I am fine with that. He said there was no wi-fi and I would have to use the computers in their lobby but I found a signal for the jewelery store and was able to get in. Everything is good so far. Directly across the street from me is the four seasons. I walk out my door and I'm pretty much in their lobby so location is good.
Things could be worse, I could be staying here.
I am going to wake up at 3am to try and watch the ducks game so I am heading off to bed. More to come from Istanbul.
