Days 32 & 33, 26-27 April Turkey - Copenhagen

Day 32-

God what a day! We got to the Ataturk airport in Istanbul - they have an xray screener right at the outside door before you can walk in and unfortunately for us there was an Indian guy in front of us, who turned out to be a tour leader. He systematically squeezed his entire tour group who hadnt been in the line, in front of everyone who was in line - very frustrating. There were masses of people and we ended up standing in 2 different lines trying to get to check in. After over 2 hours and not having moved at all, I grabbed a staff member and explained that we were going to miss our flight. She told me they would sort it and took us out of the line, but having passed us on to another staff member it became apparent we were not getting on our plane.

There had been a plane that had landed on fire the day before and all those passengers had obviously been offloaded and then had been given all of todays passengers, seats on their on-going flights?!! But the airline had not notified anyone. What a mess and we were so knackered after  the last couple of days.

In the end they gave us what I thought was a very generous 400 euros each for the delay (which turned out to be 12 hours?!@#!),  so I made them let us into the poor mans business class lounge so at least it was more comfortable. What can you do???

We finally boarded the 3 1/2 hour flight to Copenhagen, which I dont remember at all now! but unfortunately realised once we were off and had got a taxi to the Admiral hotel in Nyhavn, that I didnt have my ipad! I had been writing up my blog and must have left it accidentally in my seat pocket- we were so tired and I wasnt thinking right obviously.


Day 33-

Was up late last night, trying to contact Turkish airlines about leaving my iPad on my seat on the plane. I was told you can't call anyone in lost property for some stupid reason, so had to fill in an online form and wait. They are meant to contact you within 24 hours.

Got to bed at 2 am, which was really 3 am Istanbul time and got up this am, after enjoying wonderfully soft beds again, although typically like in Germany, they are a double bed base with 2 single top mattress and separate duvets on each side....they are comfy - heaven. The hotel is really cool, it was built in the 1700's and was a massive storage warehouse for the docks. There was massive wooden beams everywhere and staff tell us that 95% of them are the original ones.

The Danes are all very calm and extremely friendly, even the security guard at the airport last night was gentle and very helpful, all 6 ft something of healthy male like they all seem to be here! There is no rush or stress, getting off the plane last night - I have never seen such calm order before, no rushing or frantic need to get off and get through.

I tried to ph Turkish Airlines again this am about how to sort the compensation cheque we were given in Istanbul. Couldn't cash it as we got in so late last night their office was shut. The call centre girl was useless and had no idea what to do. After that we decided to go back to the airport today while the office is open to sort it face to face.

We thought we would try the tube, after getting a taxi last night. It's easy to get train tickets and its a direct line to Copenhagen airport so we went out and the staff at the airport office, easily put the compensation onto our visa. In Istanbul, their office didn't know what to do! She also rang about my iPad but no one had handed it in so went down to lost and found but they didn't have it either. The man there was pretty sure the cleaners would hand it in if they found it and people do seem very honest here, but he said it can take a few days, so will try again and also email to ask for an investigation as they suggested.

What a pain this all is! We were really tired when we landed cos we had spent all day waiting for the later flight and I put the iPad in the side of my seat and the cushion must have covered it. Hope I get it back cos my whole life is on that!

Anyhow, have done all we can. Trained back to Nyhavn ('New-how-n') and went for a walk around the very picturesque area along the docks which is all eateries now. It was a beautiful clear sunny day and we sat in the sun and enjoyed lunch. The Danes are right into fish and it is melt in your mouth fresh. Wandered around the shops- it's quite hard to work out costs as the currency is massive amounts eg/ the taxi was 300 Danish krone which is about $55. I had written down a few conversions though so we know what we are looking at. We were told that it is really trendy and the clothes etc are really well designed which they are. Everything is symmetrical from buildings, to the roads too.

Came back to the hotel and crashed for a couple of hours and a quiet evening in as Graeme is still pretty unwell and spending a lot of time either in the bathroom or laying down with his stomach and fever on and off.