Road to Rio 2016

It was a long flight from Dhaka to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I took a Malaysia Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia. From there took a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. From Istanbul to Sao Paulo with Turkish Airlines and finally Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro with GOL. 

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Ready to board!!! Rio 2016 I am coming!!!

No we can’t issue you a baggage tag till Rio de Janeiro/Sao Paulo as Malaysia Airlines does not have code share agreement with Turkish Airlines. That was the answer from the guy at the Check-In point at Dhaka Airport. He insisted that I should collect the luggage by myself from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). When I asked him do I need a visa to collect my luggage? He replied no.

On Board. Ready to Fly. Excited!!!

Flight to Kuala Lumpur was smooth and it was just under four hours although the flight was delayed by one hour. I had around four hours to complete all the formalities. However I was unable to collect my main luggage as I did not have a visa. I was told by the Turkish staffs that I should go to Sao Paulo and make a report at the Turkish help desk for my luggage and they will collect my luggage and send it to me through their next available flight.

At Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Changing Terminal to catch my next flight. 

I started to feel uncomfortable on my second flight that took off from KL. It took around 11 hours to reach Ataturk Airport, Istanbul. Reached Istanbul at around 4.10 AM Istanbul Time on 09 August and as usual seen massive crowds at the transfer desk that I have seen before. I had around 4.30 hours to spend at Ataturk Airport and if you love Turkish Delight like me 4.30 hours will fly so quickly that next time you would even want longer transit time at Istanbul. There are so many shops where you can try different flavored of delights for free and buy some for home.

At Ataturk International Airport, Istanbul, Turkey. Waiting for my next flight to Sao Paulo!!!

My flight to Sao Paulo took off around 9.10 AM Istanbul time. It was a 13.30 hours long flight from Istanbul to Sao Paulo. Reached Guarulhos Airport, Sao Paulo at around 4.55 PM local time. I was so tired but excited about the upcoming journey. My flight to Rio de Janeiro was a domestic flight so I had to go through the passport control. After immigration control went to the Turkish Airlines help desk and made a report about my luggage. They took my details and asked me to wait for their confirmation.

At Guarulhos International Airport, Sao Paulo, Brazil. On my way to to Domestic Terminal to catch a flight to Rio de Janeiro

It was just one hour from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro. My friend from Rio de Janeiro was waiting for me at the airport. It did not take too long to find him. I was so excited. 

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