Day 7 (Saturday) - Gallipoli

Today we discovered that Gallipoli is a LONG way from Istanbul - we left at 6.30 and arrived in Gallipoli at about 1.00pm.  We also discovered that Australia has a lot to learn about building decent roads - for the whole of that journey we travelled on divided motorway, much of it through quite unpopulated areas, farmland, forests etc. Not much traffic and I'd guess it would be the equivalent of a trip from Brisbane to Gladstone.

Not sure how to write about the Gallipoli visit. It is HIGHLY emotional and surprising - you just can't do the experience justice without being there. There are still trenches which we walked through and the Australian trenches are in places about 8 to 10 metres from the Turkish trenches. They used to swap rations by just throwing them across the space between. Lots of surprises in the details of the battles, landings etc as well. Our guide was Turkish and had an amazing knowledge almost down to  daily and hourly detail. The wrecks of ships are still visible below the surface. There are of course numerous beautiful memorials and graveyards scattered over the site for Australian, New Zealand, Turkish soldiers - Lone Pine is a beautiful place.

After the 4-hour tour, we crossed the Dardenelles by ferry to Cannakale where we are spending the night  - just had some beautiful Turkish Kebabs for tea. Off to Troy to find out what those Greeks got up to in the morning. Cheers all

Day 6 (Friday) - Istanbul

The main thing we learnt today is that Brisbane does NOT have a traffic problem. The traffic here is unbelievable - total chaos with streets only wide enough for one car and crazy drivers all wanting to go both ways at the same time - absolute bedlam with horns blasting etc - it is just hilarious to stand and watch it all. Add a few suicidal pedastrians and it becomes even more fun.

Another learning is that Maryborough does NOT have a noise problem with the bells. Try every mosque on every hill (there are dozens of them) with loud speakers and their wailing calls to prayer blasting all over the city -starting at 5.15am!!!!  love to see someone here put in a noise complaint!!!

The final learning today is that just walking slowly down the street is hazardous to your health. The shop and restaurant owners come out and just about drag you into their premises. Carpet shops are especially hazardous - these fellows make the Singapore traders look like beginners.

Had a fantastic day though. The morning was spent at the huge bazaar which we were warned by Hussein yesterday is a rip-off, but we did buy some turkish delight which hopefully will make it back into Aus.

This afternoon we went on the cruise on the Bosphorus (connects the Sea of Marmar with the Black Sea) - great views of this huge city - it spreads for a distance of 180km. Amazingly, we went out for our first proper evening meal tonight at a great little roof-top restaurant overlooking the Sea of Marmar.

Up early in the morning to set out to Gallipoli and from there heading down the coast to Ephasus, Troy, Pamukalle, Cappadocia etc for the next 7 days. I think we stay in wi-fi range most of the time!! Hope all are well

Day 5 (29 August) - Istanbul

I've no idea how to start telling you about today. Now sitting in the hotel room, Elizabeth resting her feet while we listen to the sounds of the Mufti calling to prayer from the mosque - got the picture? Pretty well exhausted after a most extraordinary day. Today we had Hussein, our personal guide for the day to take us to the sights of Istanbul (note for Geoff - Hussein is actually a contract lawyer (barrister) who does tour guiding in August because the courts are closed down for a break )- very good English, huge knowledge of history and great sense of humour (like all lawyers). He took us to:

   The Roman Hippodrome - remains of the chariot course with a 3000 year old Egyptian obelisk as one of the end markers.

   The "Blue" Mosque - shoes off, ladies' heads covered etc - interior covered in predominately blue ceramic tiles.

   Topaki Palace - palace of the Ottoman Sultans - you can imagine the art works etc

   Sophia - the building where domes were basically "invented" and then spread to the rest of Europe - mind-blowing scale and photos will never do it justice.

   The underground cisterns - built by the Romans (took only 10 months) to secure the city's water supply. Used 360 corinthian and roman columns stolen from temples all around to create an incredible underground structure. Carp swim around to indicate that the water is safe!

   The government art centre where the traditional carpet weaving skills are maintained -   out came the most beautiful carpets you've ever seen and a weaver demonstrated how they are made using double knots - too detailed to tell you here but just fascinating to watch. Sorry kids -  some more of the inheritance went on a silk wall hanging of the "Tree of Life" which will be delivered after we get home. Did you know that they use silk thread to cut  marble?

Other new experiences today - had Kurdish Coffee - absolutely beautiful (Hussein gave us the tips on how to order it and drink it) - also had Turkish Ice-cream (beautiful) and apple tea (sweet).

Not sure, but think we are booked on a cruise on the Bosphorus tomorrow (might be a shorter blog!!) Cheers everyone

Day 4 - Istanbul

They say travel broadens the mind - well ours are about to be very much expanded here I think.

Left HK at 1.00 this morning, flew for 12 hours (great service thanks Cathay) to Milan, making a spectacular approach over the Alps still covered in snow. Italian culture took hold immediately. Checked with the :"special transfer service desk" - Yes, sir go up two floors to area 7 and you will find the Turkish check-in. So went up two floors to area 7 - no Turkish. searched the monitors, found Turkish listed as area 3. Go to area 3 - still no Turkish. Check the monitors at area 3 which says go to area 5. Found!!

Flight to Istanbul left on time, was a great flight (they have stewards dressed as chefs which makes it interesting)  - landed and went straight to the ATM to get some Turkish Lira as have to pay for Visa to get in. Line up for a Visa and told "we don't take turkish money, you must pay in either Euro or US Dollars. Which country doesn't accept it's own currency???

Better still, we then joined about 300 others in a queue to have passport checked - emerge 2 hours later to find our bags (by then off-loaded from the carousel) and find our transfer to the hotel. Bit of time this afternoon to wander around the immediate area (we are about 500m from the Blue Mosque) - another world . this is going to be an incredible experience.  Cheers all

Day 3 - Hong Kong

Your definition of big just has to change in Hong Kong. Visited the Oceanic mall with 450 shops with every designer lable you can imaging all represented - the passageway simply disappeared into the distance. Check the photo of the gate lounges sign at the airport !! There is no way we could ever get used to the rush, the crowding or the crazy traffic - but it is undoubtedly a must see. Today we took the star ferry and the bus to Stanley on the south side of the island - terrific markets where guess who purchased some Birkinstocks for circa $80 (genuine)

Then off to the iconic cable tram ride up to the Peak (after an hour or so waiting in the queue) - difficult to describe the size of the buildings and the number of them - but you've got to put all those people somewhere I guess.

The heat is just so energy sapping - no way we could live here - but we're certainly glad we cme to check it out. An experience not to be missed.

Day 2 _ HONG KONG

Wow!! What a day! We've learnt a huge amount today. Firstly (hard though this may be to believe) - we've changed our definition of good coffee. We now believe that coffee served anywhere that is air-conditioned is GOOD coffee - no pavement coffee for us here!!. 33 degrees and 91% humidity has led us to this opinion. We have arrived home exhausted after doing the harbourside walk, the fabulous history museum with amazing permanent history displays as well a a current special display of the clothing worn by the emperors; travelled by the inredible metro system to the Buddist garden; went to canon to buy a new camera lense; back on the metro to the star ferry ride over to the island and then back for the laser light display. We were guided around Hong Kong by the delightful Ms Lai ("come quickerly" and "stay with me and we won't get lost"), followed by   same nice bar and staff (is there a pattern emerging?) for a whisky and light meal before getting back to the room at about 10.30 local time. Plan to go back over to the Island tomorrow and up to the peak. This will be our last day in Hong Kong (until our return trip) and as we leave for Istanbul at 1.00am Wednesday, I'm afraid there will be no blog for day 3 - we will be back in touch on Wednesday night - first night in Istanbul.

Day One

Well, we are under way with a very comfortable  flight with Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong. Absolutely blown away by the size of this place - the port facilities are just immense and sheer scale of everything is mind-blowing. Stanford Hotel is very nice - great view over the harbour (window a bit rain-effected but the photo will give you an idea). Took a wander around tonight - very sticky and rainy - finished with a whisky in the bar with very friendly and helpful staff. Hopefully a very busy and enjoyable (and fine??) tomorrow.  Cheers All