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seawitches
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Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 10:18 pm | 1st Post |
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Has anyone heard any info regarding the recent bombings there?
Seems to me that every time I finally pick a cruise, something blows up literally.
One of the main draws for this cruise is the two days in Istanbul, I don't want that port cancelled like Morocco was.
Any info anyone??
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xpcdoojk
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Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 10:59 pm | 2nd Post |
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I am sorry, Sheila, haven't heard anything about it. I thought this thread was about the They Might Be Giants song. That is now running thru my head as many of their old songs tends to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1PrrtxC1Sw
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
"Istanbul" 1953
Words by Jimmy Kennedy
Music by Nat Simon
"It's Istanbul, not Constantinople now ...." Leave it to Tin Pan Alley to turn centuries of ethnic and religious struggles into a catchy ditty. This song, although copyrighted by Kennedy and Simon, is a direct descendant of the humourous piece, "Al-Bar the Bubul Emir" that could be found in the pages of "Captain Billy's Whizbang," an early 20th century precursor to "Mad Magazine."
Lyrics:
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can't say
People just liked it better that way
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works
That's nobody's business but the Turks
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) is the fourth (4th) song on the Flood album and is the eighth (8th) song, in live format, on the Severe Tire Damage album.
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 11:58 pm | 3rd Post |
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As of right now, there are no travel warnings for Turkey posted on the U.S. government Web site, but that could easily change.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
The Canadian government has issued one regarding two kidnappings in the Mt. Ararat region.
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=300000
Last edited on Sat Jul 12th, 2008 12:01 am by hstrybuf
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Eeyore
Frequent Cruiser
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:04 am | 4th Post |
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I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Istanbul. I was there for only one day (there might be a review over on the Royal Princess review page somewhere), but saw a bunch.
Over on the other side, there's been some debate about whether or not it'll be switched out. Most think not.
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nhrich
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:12 am | 5th Post |
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| I just googled Turkey bombings, and it looks like any of the bombings in the past year have been in the eastern and southeastern portions of the country, not near Istanbul at all.
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seawitches
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:40 am | 6th Post |
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Yes, it's a veeeeery catchy song! Grrrrrr.... DH has been singing it for weeks.
We finally decided on this cruise due to Istanbul (and of course Venice), and believe me it was a hard decision. So after I have a check up with the doc, we are going to put a deposit down.....BUT I don't want to do this cruise if Istanbul is nixed. I'm beginning to think I'm a shit magnet for bombings. (pardon the pun).
I've always wanted to do a cruise on a new ship, so not going on the Solstice was a killer. But I so need to see Venice and Istanbul before I see the inside of my casket. I want to lie in bed onboard with the balcony door wide open and hear the call to prayer. I want to see the minarets at sunset, and dream of the Ottoman's. And I want to drink tea with the carpet salesmen worrying about when the ecoli is going to hit!! :):)
Keep your ears to the ground... and the other message boards of course!
I must bookmark the Travel Advisory's for each country. Last edited on Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:41 am by seawitches
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 03:35 am | 7th Post |
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seawitches wrote: Yes, it's a veeeeery catchy song! Grrrrrr.... DH has been singing it for weeks.
We finally decided on this cruise due to Istanbul (and of course Venice), and believe me it was a hard decision. So after I have a check up with the doc, we are going to put a deposit down.....BUT I don't want to do this cruise if Istanbul is nixed. I'm beginning to think I'm a shit magnet for bombings. (pardon the pun).
I've always wanted to do a cruise on a new ship, so not going on the Solstice was a killer. But I so need to see Venice and Istanbul before I see the inside of my casket. I want to lie in bed onboard with the balcony door wide open and hear the call to prayer. I want to see the minarets at sunset, and dream of the Ottoman's. And I want to drink tea with the carpet salesmen worrying about when the ecoli is going to hit!! :):)
Keep your ears to the ground... and the other message boards of course!
I must bookmark the Travel Advisory's for each country.
Oh girl! I wish we could do this trip with you! I would sooo love to see the things you mentioned. Read some good trashy romance novels about the Ottomans too. 
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"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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Catnip
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:42 pm | 8th Post |
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xpcdoojk wrote: I thought this thread was about the They Might Be Giants song. That is now running thru my head as many of their old songs tends to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1PrrtxC1Sw
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
"Istanbul" 1953
"It's Istanbul, not Constantinople now ...."
How funny! My mother knows this song, but only 1-2 lines. I thought she had made it up!! I'll have to print it out and show it to her!!!!!
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Catnip
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:47 pm | 9th Post |
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seawitches wrote:
But I so need to see Venice and Istanbul before I see the inside of my casket.
We did a Med cruise on the (then) brand new Grand Princess several years ago. We flew into Istanbul 2 days earliy and stayed at the wonderful Ciragen Palace, which was right on the Bosphorus. Really incredible.
I have wanted to go back and spend a week in Istanbul, but the political situation right now is a deal breaker for us. When and if it settles down, we'll go back.
We toured the Topkapi Palace, but since it was on a Sunday, the harem area was not open. Bummer.....coz that's why I really wanted to see!
http://www.kempinski-istanbul.com/en/home/index.htm
http://www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~history/Ext/palace.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkap%C4%B1_Palace
Last edited on Sat Jul 12th, 2008 01:50 pm by Catnip
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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debinnh
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 03:27 pm | 10th Post |
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LOL! When I saw that headline this week I immediatly emailed DH and said "WE"RE STILL GOING!" Heck, there was a bombing in Egypt when we were there too. 
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Future:
???? I need to book something!
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seawitches
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 04:16 pm | 11th Post |
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Are we magnets??? If so, I might have to pack the bullet proof and helmet.
This sounds nuts, but.. I don't care if it happens when I'm there, I just don't want the port cancelled (now I sound like one of the whiners)
Now if they rerouted us to Dubrovnik, I would be happy, but my luck it would be another Greek island. I don't think I want to max out on Greece. I would rather land holiday there, but even that's too much Greek
Yes, I want to see the Palace. The blue domed mosque, the markets, and sample a whirling dervish and get all creeped out.
Bought two books yesterday. Can hardly wait to crack open the covers.
One reno is now completed, and the other about to start. We'll be busy, but I can crawl into bed with them at night....
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debinnh
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 04:28 pm | 12th Post |
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Did you buy tour books or fictional books that take place in Istanbul? I am looking for something to read that takes place there that takes place close to current times.
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Future:
???? I need to book something!
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 05:03 pm | 13th Post |
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| Deb, you might get some ideas by checking on Amazon.com. Most of the fictional books I've read on the city are in much earlier times.
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"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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debinnh
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Posted: Sat Jul 12th, 2008 06:55 pm | 14th Post |
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hstrybuf wrote: Deb, you might get some ideas by checking on Amazon.com. Most of the fictional books I've read on the city are in much earlier times.
I guess you have to live up to your screen name...
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Future:
???? I need to book something!
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seawitches
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 01:32 am | 15th Post |
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Frommers and Lonely Planet
and Frommers Venice, I am soooo NOT into humping my luggage. I may have to use the cruiseline transfers/hotels ( rip off)
Memories and LifeAttachment: ProductImage.aspx.jpeg (Downloaded 55 times) Last edited on Sun Jul 13th, 2008 01:34 am by seawitches
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Catnip
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 02:50 am | 16th Post |
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seawitches wrote: Frommers and Lonely Planet
and Frommers Venice, I am soooo NOT into humping my luggage. I may have to use the cruiseline transfers/hotels ( rip off)
Memories and Life
stay at the airport hotel and take the bus into the city. Easy, cheaper and no humping!
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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Eeyore
Frequent Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 05:42 am | 17th Post |
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If you do get to Istanbul, make sure to go into the Spice Market (different from the Grand Bazaar). Don't buy spices in the front of the building - go further back. If you like spices, this is the place to get it. We got about 1/4 pound of cinnamon for about $2. (Just used it in the cinnamon buns - yum!) Saffron is supposed to be pretty cheap there also, but we don't use it, so didn't buy it. Plus, we were running low on Lira - we saved enough for the trolley back, but used the rest. Got a couple of pieces of Turkish Delight for free - they'll give you a taste if you ask. I think we got our spices in the crossroads, at the far right (go in, get to the crossroad, look ahead and right) - he seemed pretty reasonable at the time. If you know what you use, and what it costs, this is the place to buy. I wish we had kept more Lira (or gotten more at the ATM), because I would have stocked up on more spices.
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seawitches
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 05:36 pm | 18th Post |
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was thinking of Saffron... bringing home a large quantity for street sales...I hear I can get quite a bit of $$ (shhhhh)
Ya Denise, I am thinking of an airport hotel for the first night. We will be exhausted when we get there, although we're so wound up, we probably won't be able to sleep and want to hit Venice.
The first two days of the cruise are Venice, so I will have ample time to see what I want, so an airport hotel will be cheaper with no humping... of luggage, and will force us to play catch up with the time difference.
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Catnip
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Posted: Sun Jul 13th, 2008 06:14 pm | 19th Post |
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seawitches wrote:
Ya Denise, I am thinking of an airport hotel for the first night. We will be exhausted when we get there, although we're so wound up, we probably won't be able to sleep and want to hit Venice.
The first two days of the cruise are Venice, so I will have ample time to see what I want, so an airport hotel will be cheaper with no humping... of luggage, and will force us to play catch up with the time difference.
The one we stayed at last Oct was great. It was about 3 min from the airport and right on the bus line into Venice. Nice, clean room with (I think) free continental breakfast.
http://www.holidaycityeurope.com/courtyard-venice-airport/index.htm
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/vcecy-courtyard-venice-airport/
Last edited on Sun Jul 13th, 2008 06:17 pm by Catnip
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33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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seawitches
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 03:09 am | 20th Post |
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| What is the port like in Istanbul?? Is it another freighter holding tank, or is it located in a nice area??
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seawitches
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 03:10 am | 21st Post |
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| Also looking for a great restaurant with a fabulous view of the sun setting for dinner, with maybe a show (belly dancing or whirling dervishes)??
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Catnip
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 03:40 am | 22nd Post |
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Sheila,
We stayed at The Ciragen Palace in Istanbul, which is right on the Bosphorus. We had lunch right down the street from the hotel at a great outdoor cafe, which was also right on the Bosphorus, with GREAT views! Have no idea what the name of that little place was, but there were several outdoor cafe's like that all up and down the street that the hotel was on.
____________________
33 previous cruises..
Next up: Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3-09/ QM 2 11-09/ Queen Victoria 1/10
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
When only cops have guns, it's called a "police state"
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mrdawson
Funnel Deck Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 04:06 am | 23rd Post |
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Catnip wrote: seawitches wrote: Frommers and Lonely Planet
and Frommers Venice, I am soooo NOT into humping my luggage. I may have to use the cruiseline transfers/hotels ( rip off)
Memories and Life
stay at the airport hotel and take the bus into the city. Easy, cheaper and no humping!
Whats er'body here got against humping?:devilbanana:
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nhrich
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 12:57 pm | 24th Post |
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mrdawson wrote: Catnip wrote: seawitches wrote: Frommers and Lonely Planet
and Frommers Venice, I am soooo NOT into humping my luggage. I may have to use the cruiseline transfers/hotels ( rip off)
Memories and Life
stay at the airport hotel and take the bus into the city. Easy, cheaper and no humping!
Whats er'body here got against humping?:devilbanana:
No kidding...doesn't sound like anywhere I'd want to stay. 
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seawitches
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Posted: Sun Aug 3rd, 2008 01:53 pm | 25th Post |
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| Well..... there's humping... and then there's HuMpPPPing....
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