My flight to Casablanca was easier enough but was disappointed that the lounge was NOT available at the Hyatt. Always call the hotel if a Lounge is available.
I started feeling really sick with flu here, so rather than continue this difficult trip, I booked a flight home....
I have NEVER been so happy to end a trip!
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Back to Istanbul...
After not being able to go to Lebanon, I tried booking flights from Kuwait straight to Casablanca. K found no direct flights and long, long layover. I decided to go back to Istanbul a city i am comfortable with and had a direct flight to Casablanca. I liked the Hilton on the river location.
A easy flight to Istanbul and this time not emotionally drained found my way out of the airport for the LONG drive INT, the city to my hotel. The new airport is great but takes forever to get to the city.
I again had a nice room overlooking the water and proceeded to the lounge for some food and drink.
My second day there I took a cab to a church that was so under renovation that there was just a couple of scarce rooms to see——A disappointment. I then took a cab into the heart of the city to visit the Cistern—another great disappointment as it was so dark that photos were impossible. I didn’t get it as there is no art work that could be damage by flash so why keep it so dark?
I walked a little then grabbed a rat bastard cab driver that cheated me. Always pay attention the the meter starts when you enter the cab.
A easy flight to Istanbul and this time not emotionally drained found my way out of the airport for the LONG drive INT, the city to my hotel. The new airport is great but takes forever to get to the city.
I again had a nice room overlooking the water and proceeded to the lounge for some food and drink.
My second day there I took a cab to a church that was so under renovation that there was just a couple of scarce rooms to see——A disappointment. I then took a cab into the heart of the city to visit the Cistern—another great disappointment as it was so dark that photos were impossible. I didn’t get it as there is no art work that could be damage by flash so why keep it so dark?
I walked a little then grabbed a rat bastard cab driver that cheated me. Always pay attention the the meter starts when you enter the cab.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Mosque, and Crappy Towers
Well since I was here an extra day, I visited the Grand Mosque and the Crappy Kuwait Towers.
At the Mosque, I had an Irish concert as a tour guide which was pleasant. I had a long walk from the mosque to the Towers.
The less said about the Kuwait Towers the better. As going to the top which was not very high and the glass was very dirty to take photo towards the view.
After the towers, I had a funny cab driver who couldn’t find his ass with both hands in getting me back to the hotel but he was for sure pleasant.
Some photos
At the Mosque, I had an Irish concert as a tour guide which was pleasant. I had a long walk from the mosque to the Towers.
The less said about the Kuwait Towers the better. As going to the top which was not very high and the glass was very dirty to take photo towards the view.
After the towers, I had a funny cab driver who couldn’t find his ass with both hands in getting me back to the hotel but he was for sure pleasant.
Some photos
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
The Exhilarating Day from Hell...
This day was terrible that I am going to cut and paste describing it to my Godson.
This might be a little too long for you to read but here it is nevertheless
My Trip has been one screw up and bad situation after another.
I had planned to travel to: Turkey, Pakistan, Oman, Doha, Kuwait, Lebanon, Algeria, and Morocco.
My Algerian Visa did not come in time. This is after, I followed their procedure and handed it in NOT 8 days that they said it would take but 16 days in advance.
Then, after being told I could get a visa on arrival at Karachi, Pakistan Airport with my Italian passport. However, at 10 pm get ready to board, I was denied by the gate agent from entering the country because I lacked the proper Visa. I had to scramble or a hotel room (Thank you Hilton) and a new flight to Muscat, Oman.
Oman, Qatar and Kuwait all went well.
I was informed by the Hotel in Beirut that banks, shops, etc was closed and it was not safe due to protesting and some armed conflict with protesters.
I am exhausted having spent about 10 hours on the phone canceling the non refundable flight to Lebanon, subsequent flights to and hotel rooms not only in Beirut but other hotels as well and that charge affected my whole schedule.
Since people could not even get into work at the Beirut Hilton. I don’t know if I will get reimbursed because of late cancellation.
I am flying from Kuwait back to Istanbul to recharge at the Hilton on the river Bosporus then flying to Morocco to keep the final portion of my trip.
I am exhausted, yet in a strange way that I feel this adrenaline rush of knowing that I am handling everything on the fly and totally dependent on myself with whatever skills I bring to the travel table. I feel like the quintessential Existential Man, alone, alienated adrift in a randomness world with the only thing a person has in this world——Their Choices
Your brother,
John or Giovanni as how I’m known in the travel word 🤪
This might be a little too long for you to read but here it is nevertheless
My Trip has been one screw up and bad situation after another.
I had planned to travel to: Turkey, Pakistan, Oman, Doha, Kuwait, Lebanon, Algeria, and Morocco.
My Algerian Visa did not come in time. This is after, I followed their procedure and handed it in NOT 8 days that they said it would take but 16 days in advance.
Then, after being told I could get a visa on arrival at Karachi, Pakistan Airport with my Italian passport. However, at 10 pm get ready to board, I was denied by the gate agent from entering the country because I lacked the proper Visa. I had to scramble or a hotel room (Thank you Hilton) and a new flight to Muscat, Oman.
Oman, Qatar and Kuwait all went well.
I was informed by the Hotel in Beirut that banks, shops, etc was closed and it was not safe due to protesting and some armed conflict with protesters.
I am exhausted having spent about 10 hours on the phone canceling the non refundable flight to Lebanon, subsequent flights to and hotel rooms not only in Beirut but other hotels as well and that charge affected my whole schedule.
Since people could not even get into work at the Beirut Hilton. I don’t know if I will get reimbursed because of late cancellation.
I am flying from Kuwait back to Istanbul to recharge at the Hilton on the river Bosporus then flying to Morocco to keep the final portion of my trip.
I am exhausted, yet in a strange way that I feel this adrenaline rush of knowing that I am handling everything on the fly and totally dependent on myself with whatever skills I bring to the travel table. I feel like the quintessential Existential Man, alone, alienated adrift in a randomness world with the only thing a person has in this world——Their Choices
Your brother,
John or Giovanni as how I’m known in the travel word 🤪
Monday, October 28, 2019
Kuwait
I had no problem getting my VOA. The process was clean, quick and efficient. I was feeling good as I checked in the Holiday Inn about 8 minutes from the airport. I was upgraded to a gorgeous suite.
All for 20k points for the night.
All for 20k points for the night.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
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I had no problem getting my VOA. The process was clean, quick and efficient. I was feeling good as I checked in the Holiday Inn about 8 minu... -
Today was a day to start early with my driver. We visited, the Gramd Mosque, and 3 Forts. Although, the last fort, I was so hot and exhauste... -
My flight to Casablanca was easier enough but was disappointed that the lounge was NOT available at the Hyatt. Always call the hotel if a L...