Istanbul, Turkey

Oct 14, 2010

What an amazing layer upon layer place! John has made the observation that Istanbul seems a lot more affluent and relaxed compared to when he was here 20 years ago. The touts are less aggressive. However, there is still a few people who are very happy to part you from your money on a small or large scale.

Ayasofya, Istanbul, Turkey

Oct 12, 2010

How to covert a Christian church to a mosque- take off all the crosses, rub off the bits that don't suit, chip off the stone carvings of a few unnecessary saints, add some Arabic script and a few minarets and hey presto! The Christian bits were really ornate- gold tiles and rich marble, while the Muslims favoured richly coloured tiles and paintings of intricate patterns.

Bodrum, Turkey

Oct 10, 2010

What a pretty place! Perfect weather didn't hurt either... We traipsed through an amazing castle/fortress- another knights of St John undertaking.... This is apparently the home of the Gulet- luxurious wooden yachts that are all beautiful, gleaming and lovingly looked after.

A Small Village Near Fethiye, Turkey

Oct 10, 2010

Birds without wings- by Louis de Bernieres- Most likely the best book I have ever read- Set in Turkey just near Anatolia. It went a long way to describe what happened leading up to the first world war, and why the Greek and Turkish governments don't see eye to eye. We sailed right past the place where it was set!

Kos Island, Greece

Oct 9, 2010

Arriving in a mini meltimi (screaming wind from the north), we were glad to get into the marina - except the marina seemed to be blasted by it as well...