The PCUSA Pilgrim Pastor

Arriving in Istanbul

Monday, October 7, 2024

Fortunately our flight was pretty uneventful. We land in Sabiha Gokcen International airport (SAW) in Istanbul from London Heathrow at 1:30 pm local time (6:30 am eastern time).

After passport control, luggage, food, money, and cell phone service, we catch the Havabus to our hotel, the Point Hotel in Taksim.

By now it was time for dinner so we head out to Gonen Rooftop Terrace Restaurant and boy, was the view amazing.

Here is our group of eight (two didn’t join us) enjoying an amazing dinner with fresh pita bread, homemade hummus, and tasty meats. Since it was a little chilly on the roof, the restaurant offered us complimentary heated green and brown shawls. How thoughtful!

While we were there the sun was setting

And then was the call to pray at the mosque.

After dinner many of us walked down the main thoroughfare of Istiklal Street which had almost every kind of shop you can imagine. It was pretty crowded for a Monday night.

Finally we arrived at Galata Tower which was colorfully lit.

The view was spectacular. Here you can see the two of the main mosques in Old City all lit up.

We walked down the narrow stairs of the tower and then back to the hotel.

It had been quite a day and with practically no sleep the night before we all slept very well that night and looked forward to meeting our guide and spending our first full day in Istanbul.