SQ's J passengers get access to the priority immigration lines, which were deserted when I arrived. Too deserted, I think. I proceeded to a counter and presented my passport, but the officer - with his face buried as he whatsapp'ed someone far more important than the foreigner infront of him whom he hardly notices - really wasn't doing any favors for his country's image. In all fairness, I can't say I'm not used to it. Not when I've seen officers slumped on their desks in a certain Malaysian airport that claims to be the best for several years straight.

IST airside is a hive of activity. Thanks to TK's massive expansion that rivals EK's, IST is filled with passengers from all corners of the globe. A Chinese passenger on his way to Sudan. An Argentinian couple on their way to the Maldives, possibly for their honeymoon, and a Singapore-bound Malaysian aviation nut with a sharp eye.


The much-documented TK CIP Lounge - touted to be the best J lounge in the world - is a great way to escape from the masses.


There's already a comprehensive report on this lounge by Carfield, so I won't go too much into the details. One thing's for sure: It's hard to lower my expectations of airline lounges from now on.


Okay, so a good percentage of the masses seem to be *G members (I even saw quite a few A3 baggage tags) or J travellers as I had a hard time finding an empty spot.


An unquenchable sweet tooth you say? This lounge will prove you wrong.








I wonder, does a performer in a tuxedo drop by in the evenings taking song requests for jolly singalongs well into the night?



I tried a bit of everything, and found myself craving for more. Hey, I might have added a few pounds to my skinny frame. My grandmother will be so proud.



Indescribably delicious Turkish food