Friday 6th March
“Greetings from the top of a mountain in Erzurum, Turkey. Next stop Heaven, we are 2500 metres above sea level…”
So finally we got on the road and headed on our journey to Erzurum, Turkey. The majority of us met in Dundalk for a quick photo opportunity. Thanks to www.derektuitephotography.ie! It wasn’t long before we were all loaded onto the bus heading towards Dublin Airport. We checked in at 11:00 and it has to be said the check in was very smooth and organised. However, we were delayed by an hour and 15 minutes but we didn’t notice too much as time flew by in the airport and we were soon on our way to Istanbul. It was just great craic on the flight even if it was a little warm, 22 degrees!
After a wee while, we arrived in Istanbul and collected our baggage. One snag though, our kit bag didn’t manage to make it onto the plane in Dublin. Though, I am told it’s en route at the moment. In the meantime, the kids will be training in thermal underwear!!! The airport staff were absolutely brilliant, we were escorted as VIP’s through the visa application process and out to the bus. €10 goes a long way!!! From there we stayed over night at the WOW Airport Hotel and let me tell you, it was WOW! The staff were extremely nice but the bar was a bit slow for some. Impossible to get a drink (for the adults that is), maybe they were warned!!!