Agatha.. I love you

Greetings,

Still in Turkey.... I petitioned for another stop... the Pera Palas Hotel.

The Pera Palas was built in 1892 for the purpose of hosting the passengers of the Orient Express and was named after the place it is located. It holds the title of "the oldest European hotel of Turkey".



The hotel on 6 floors with 145 guest rooms including 6 suites has 273 beds equipped with all the modern comforts.



The Hotel, which has entertained kings, queens, statesmen and artists from all over the world since its establishment, is still maintaining the tradition of hosting its famous guests after its restoration in 1974 after which all the valuable and unique memorabilia remains in its original form.



The medium sized rooms and the bathrooms have not been changed for many years and are very traditional. Most of the beds are iron and brass with deep mattresses.

It was not for these comforts that I so desperately wanted to see the Pera Palas Hotel, but because A G A T H A Christie often stayed here... and it is where she wrote Murder on the Orient Express. And just a tid bit of information on me.... she is my favorite author in the whole world!

Her room has become a museum within the Pera Palas...



Agatha Christie was in fact one of the hotel's most ardent visitors. The "Agatha Christie Room", number 411, is now preserved in her honor. It is rumored that she wrote Murder on the Orient Express here.

The only problem.....

when we arrived at the hotel.... this is the only glamour we were able to set our eyes upon....

and this....

because... the hotel is undergoing some major renovations.....

and this..... Seriously, the tour book said the renovations were to be completed by 2008. These folks are way behind!

We tried.... though! I wanted to peruse the halls, sip tea like ole Agatha from the cafe, peek into her former hotel room, sit at her old desk, but her book from the museum, just see the sights and smell the smells. (that kind of sounds like stalking) But all I was able to see was the sign!

Blessings to those with a good book,

Kristie