Well where to start?? Dawned an absolutely glorious day for the start of the pilgrimage to Gallipoli. We were booked on a bus leaving Sultanahmet Square (the square outside the Blue Mosque) at 8.30, so up early and breakfast and left hotel on foot. Both of us managed to fit all our warm clothing and bit and pieces into backpacks with me carrying a plastic bag of food and Dad a plastic bag with his blanket in it. My earlier concerns regarding how we would find ...

April 23 - Istanbul Our final day here before we depart to Gallipoli. Usual buffet breakfast, the staff are getting to know us now and we're enjoying conversation with them. We then walked up the bazaar, Dad had sorted in his mind what he wanted to buy to take home. Again raining and freezing cold, not quite what was forecast but hopefully it'll improve this afternoon. Did a bit of shopping, including some food for the next couple of days then returned...

Woke to a wet grey and very cold day here in Istanbul. Usual drill for breakfast then got organised and decided to walk up to the Topaki Palace (hoping the "maybe tomorrow" from yesterday meant today and it was going to be open. Got about halfway there and I realised I'd left those cursed Museum Cards behind. Agreed with Dad he'd carry on and meet me where the poppy festival display was in front of Haghia Sophia. I ran back to hotel got cards, and a disposab...

Just before I start I should point out I've been posting a fair number of pictures in the photo section of this blog site. Well another pretty full day in Istanbul as we count down towards the pilgrimage to Gallipoli. Starting to see more and more Australians and New Zealanders here and when talking to the locals as soon as they realise we are from New Zealand the associate it with Gallipoli or ANZACs. We started the day the same as yesterday with the buffet b...

20 April - Istanbul Well here we are in Turkey and have hit the ground running. Breakfast at the hotel and it is a fabulous traditional Turkish buffet. Pickled roast peppers, a variety of cheeses, humus, dolma, some cereal, tomatoes (what Turkish meal doesn't include tomatoes?), cucumber, variety of meats, boiled eggs, tomato onion and chilly salad, a variety of breads etc. etc. both enjoyed a variety of items. We then walked up (our hotel is a fair distan...