The Essence of Turkey. December 16th -24th.

Tuesday 16th December. We were up and breakfasted and off out to explore a bit in Istanbul at 9.00am, as we were not being picked up till 10.00am.

We met our local guide Ercha just after 10.00am for a tour of the Old Town Istanbul. We visited the Sultanahmet ( blue Mosque) which was really beautiful, The Hippodrome ( used for Chariot races), St Sophia ( which was constructed by Emperor Justinian in 537 ad and it was the greatest church in Christendom till the conquest of Constantinople in 1453), Topkapi Palace, the Old town and Old Wall, The New Mosque, The Grand Bazaar and the Spices Bazaar - just amazing shopping places. Istanbul is a city of diversity and heaps of history that unites elements of Europe and the Orient.

We went to a high view top and had a stunning view of the Golden Horn and Bosphosus sea's - it was just fabulous! The Grand Bazaar is huge and sells everything from carpets to gold. It has 4,000 shops in its little alleyways.
We arrived back to our Hotel just after 4.00pm. I had a relax and Kevin visited a internet cafe. Then we went out to a local restaurant for dinner.


Wednesday 17th December. We were up early at 5.00am for a pick up at 6.30am. We were put on a public bus to go to Gallipoli. We were the only english speaking people on the bus. We drove for 5hrs - wondering were we were meant to get off. We got to a village called Eceabat and were told this is our stop. We were met by a " On the Go" rep and taken to a Hotel to store our
luggage while we visited the gallipoli Peninsular with a local guide - Arnold.

The brave ANZAC's are remembered on the 25th April every year. A Dawn service is held at Anzac Cove followed by national services at Lone Pine (Australia) and Chunuk blair ( New Zealand). We visited these memorials and the actual cove and saw the steep cliffs they had to climb and where Ataturk had forseen the landing and sent his Turkish Troops there to do battle with the partly unsuspecting allies.

Its now a National Park and a revered and peaceful region. We returned to the little hotel and picked up our luggage and caught the ferry boat over to Cannakkale as we were staying over there for the night at Hotel Helen. We had a relax and then went to dinner at 8.00pm.


Thursday 18th December. We were up at 7.15am and ready to depart at 8.45am for Troy. We had two girls from the USA - Emily and Olga with us too. Our local guide was called Ken and he told us the Legend of Troy - Paris and Helen on the Trojan side and Agamemnon and Archilles on the Greek side.

Troy was rediscovered in 1863 and the excavations revealed 9 ancients cities one on top of the other - dating back to 3.000bc. Troy is still a work in progress for Archaeological work. There is even a replica Trojan Wooden Horse for the tourists.
Its an amazing experience to be standing here. We went back to Canakkale and had 1hour to spare ,to explore on our own, so we walked the waterfront area.

Then we caught a public bus to Izmir at 1.30pm. Again we were the only ones speaking english on board. We arrived at 8pm, quite poophed out! We were met by a "On the Go " rep and taken by mini van to Kusadasi - arriving at 9.30pm. Too late for dinner, so they brought up a sandwich each for us - better than nothing I guess! To bed by 10pm as very tired after our bus journey.


Friday 19th December. We were up at 7.30am and to breakfast and ready to depart at 9.00am for a guided tour exploring the Roman Ruins of Ephesus. It' s one of the best -preserved Classical Roman Cities in the Eastern Mediterranean, being founded in the 13th Century bc. The Top sites within the archaeological area that we saw were- The Great theatre, Curetes Way, The Temple of Serapis, The Temple Hadrian, the Awesome Library of Celsus, the Ancient Public Toliets, a Brothel and remains of Fountains and other Temples. We spent 3 hrs wandering about here.

Then we went off to have a buffet lunch. There were 9 of us on the tour-2 Pakistan, 2 USA, 2 Aussies, 1 Japan and us. - quite a mix!

After lunch we visited the Temple of Artemis - which wasn't much, only one tall column remains of it. It was one of the Seven Ancient Wonders once. Then we visited a Carpet Manufacturing House.

We next visited the Virgin Mary's House high up on a hill in the muncipality of Selcuk. A very peaceful place. Then it was back to town to visit a leather manufacturer-who put on a fashion show for us and then served us drinks and we tried various leather jackets on. All very nice! But too expensive!

We dropped the others back to their Hotels and we were the last as we were the only ones staying in Kusadasi. So instead of taking the bus back, we got driven back in a car and arrived at 6.00pm. Our only purchase from the leather house was a nice blue Cap! We went to the Hotel Restaurant for dinner at 7.30pm - typical Turkish fare!

Saturday 20th December. We were up at 8.00am as we drove East to Pamukkale today. Its known locally as the Cotton Castles. Pamukkale is a natural phenomenon. Its formed when warm calcium rich mineral waters cascaded over the cliff edge - cooling and depositing in the process - making the Calcium Terraces.

There is Pamukkale Thermal where we had a dip in the warm waters, amongst submerged bits of marble columns. Its thought the pool was once the centre of the ruined Roman Spa Town of Hierapolis - which was a cure centre founded about 190bc by the Romans.

There are alot of Roman Ruins here and the star is a partially restored Roman Theatre - amazing! It was capable of seating 12.000 people. On this tour today there were 10 of us. - 2 Pakistan. 2 Germany, 1 Aussie, 3 South Africans and us 2 Kiwis - so another international group! We got dropped off at our Hotel - the Palm in Pamukkale and the others went back to Sulchet, where they were staying.

I had a relaxing bath and shampooed my hair after my mineral water swim. We had dinner in the Hotel at 7.30pm. A very nice Hotel - quite posh!

Sunday 21st December. We were up and away by 10.30am. Although Kevin had a swim in the Hot Mineral Pool at the Hotel prior to leaving. Our guide was the driver in his own car today. A change from the bus. His name was Hayati and was very friendly, helpful, knowledgeble and charming! We visited the Saklikent Gorge - a spectacular gorge that cuts its way through the
Akdaglar Mountains.

The Saklikent is 18km long and so steep and narrow that the sun doesn't reach - so the water is icy cold even in the summer. We walked along a wooden boardwalk above the river and it out into a picnic area. It was very tranquil and peaceful and beautiful here!

Next we arrived at Fethiye and found our Hotel. Because it was still light Hayati took us to see the Ghost City - where the Armenians lived before Ataturk sent them away in 1915.
We visited Oludeniz Lagoon - a European area with lovely housing and a delightful beach on the Mediterranean Sea.

We arrived in time to see the Sunset. Oludeniz is known for its tandem Paraglides fron dizzying heights - Not Today for the Gledhills! ha ha...

We headed back to Fethiye where we were staying . Its a seaside town on Turkey's Turqoise Coast surrounded by the Taurus Mountains. Its a charming coastal port with an outer bay strewn with islands. Kevin had a tummy upset so lay down. I went to the local shop for something to eat as we had no dinner provided tonight. I did some on the blog as the internet was free here!

Monday 22nd Decenber. We were up and departed at 8.00am on a cool drizzly day. We drove along the Mediterranean Coast and stopped for only a few photo's in Kaz - a traditional Turkish Fishing Village. We carried on seeing fabulous scenery. We stopped at Finiker for coffee and pastery and a little relax.Its another fishing village.

Then Hayati took us to Chimera to see the Fire Mountains. It was a steep 15 minute climb up the mountain side. We saw the fire going naturally from the rock. It was really amazing!
He drove us on to Olympos, a very ancient city - but now home to the World Famous Tree Houses. We are staying in the "Dingoes House" one of the tree houses.

What a fantastic experience! We arrived at 3.00pm and said our farwells to Hayati, as he heads home. We went down to dinner at 6.00pm and ate our meal with everyone, approx 20 people - all young and no one spoke english - quite a dag!! We went back to our tree house and read till bedtime.

Tuesday 23rd December. Our guide Hayati yesterday told us the company wished to fly us back to Istanbul due to safety reasons - as the inland bus route was suffering snow and heavy rain and there may be long delays. So we were quite pleased as it saved a 10hr bus ride for a 1hr air flight.

We were taken at 8.00am for our transfer to the Antalya Airport from Olympos ( 1 1/2 hr drive). We flew out at 10.45am and arrived back in Istanbul at 11.45am. We met the On the Go representative for the transfer to the Hotel we had before. We had a shower and then went out to explore Istanbul and get some lunch too. It was a cool day but no rain. We also spent some time in the internet cafe .We got back to the Hotel at 5.00 pm and rested as we have a long journey ahead of us.

Its hard to believe our year has come to an end - but were pretty excited about getting back to little New Plymouth and seeing everyone!

Wednesday 24th December. We slept in till 8.00am, then up and breakfasted. We went off for a last explore of Istanbul and a little check of our emails prior to leaving for home.
We got picked up at 12midday for the transfer to the Airport. We had a long wait as our flight did not depart till 7.10pm. Luckily we had a book each to read!

Thursday 25th December. We arrived in Dubai at 1.15am Xmas Morning after a 4hr flight.Our next flight departed from Dubai to Bangkok leaving at 3.15am and arriving at Bangkok at 12.00pm. So we basically had Xmas Dinner in Bangkok Airport - a squashed Moro Bar each!ha ha...We departed Bangkok at 7.30pm for Brisbane, Australia.

Friday 26th December. We arrived in Brisbane and we had a 1 1/2 hr wait, then we flew off to Auckland - arriving at 3.15pm. We got through customs and Immigration fine. We walked over to the Domestic Terminal for our flight to New Plymouth,departed at 7.30pm. We had a nap on the seats there. We arrived in New Plymouth at 8.05pm to see Sarah & Mom meeting us! Wer'e actually home! on good old N.Z.soil.

Here's 2 quotes I like about our travels;

" Travel, like Dreams, is a door that opens from the Real World-
Into a World that is yet to be Discovered". - G. De Maupassant.



"When sights, impressions & phenomena build on Top of each other -
And faces , languages & cities will all meld into each other
And everything will be as if a dreamscape in the Minds Eye".


We had a fabulous year 2008!

On the Go in Jordan. December 12th - 15th.

Firday 12th December. Up at 3.30 am & down to breakfast and picked up at 5.00 am for the transfer to the airport for our flight to Amman, Jordan. We left at 8.00 am and arrived at 9.25 am in Amman. We met up with our guide - Jemelia & driver - Yahyah. We headed to the Dead Sea for a few hours. We floated in the mineral rich waters - amazed as we kept bobbing up & floatıng on the top0f the sea. We had a buffet lunch here - very nice!

Next we travelled to Wadi Rum and stopped to watch the sunset on the way. We arrived at Wadi Rum at 6.00 pm to our Bedouin Camp for the night. The Wadi Rum is a protected area, that was created in 1998. İt covers 720sq km of outstanding Desert Landscape. We enjoyed a Bedouin Style Dinner under the Stars. Chatted for a while , then headed to our tents & bed at 8.30 pm.

Saturday 13th December. İ had a terrible night with tummy pain & running across the desert to the loo. Kevin slept soundly all night long. Up at 6.00 am & we departed at 8.00 am for a 4/4 jeep safari in the Wadi Rum. Just lovely for my tummy!

We visited some of the sights of interest: Lawrences Spring, Khaz'ali Canyon, Burdah Rock
Bridge, Alameleh İnscriptions, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Bedouin Village. Then we drove next to Petra through the desert. We arrived at our Hotel at 12 noon.

İ had a rest & Kevin went for a swim ın the Hotel pool. We met our guide at 2.00 pm to visit Little Petra - a Archaeological Caravan Stopover Sıte from ancient times. İt was very impressive indeed. We returned to Petra at 4.30 pm & had a pizza together for our lunch & tea - very nice. İ'm feeling a little better thank goodness. We went to bed early as we have another early start in the morning.

Sunday 14th December. Up at 6.00 am & departed at 7.00 am. We have a full days guided tour , visiting the jewel in Jordans Archaeological Crown. Access was by walking through a narrow deep siq & the end prize was the hidden Valley where the Rose City of Petra lies. As we reach the end of the siq we came across the spectacular facade of Alkazneh - the Treasury of Petra.

İts truly breathtaking - it was carved in the 1st century BC as a tomb of a Nabataean Kıng. The carved facade shows the Nabataean engineering genius. Next we passed the streets of facades - rows of Nabataean Tombs with intricate carvings.

The Theatre looks Roman but was built by the Nabataeans in the 1st century AD. İt can seat 7,000 people & is carved into the solid rock.Next we saw several Royal Tombs the largest Urn Tomb Silk Tomb Castle Tomb and Corinthian Tomb.We walked along a beautiful Colonnaded street with marble pavement still seen today.We climbed to the top, 800 stairs cut into the rock up the mountain of Ad-Deir and saw the marvellous Mountain scenes along the way.

We reached Ad-Deir -the Monastery - Petras second most famous attraction. Its absolutely beautiful and next we climbed a little further to be at the Top of the World in Jordan. We took lots of photos and then wandered back again to arrive at our Hotel by 3.30 pm after a fabulous day out!

We met Jamelia for dinner at 6.00 pm. Kevin wrote her a poem and said it to her, she was quite pleased I think.We said our farewells and headed home to bed.

Monday 15th December. We were up at 4.00 am as being picked up at 5.00 am for the drive to Amman, to catch our 10.00 am flight to Cairo. We have had a wonderful time in Jordan now its time to leave. We arrived in Cairo at 11.30 am and had a long wait till 6.00 pm.

Then we flew to Istanbul, Turkley and arrived at 8.45 pm and got to our Hotel at 9.30 pm. Now it was Kevins turn to feel nauseated and have a funny tummy! So we were both happy to fall into bed tonight!

The Best of Egypt. 3rd - 11th December.

Wednesday 3rd December. We flew to Cairo at 3.40 pm and arrived at 5.30 pm. We were met at the airport by the companys representative and transported to our Hotel ın Cairo. We had a lovely bath - soaking our tired limbs! To bed by 8.30 pm as we are arising at 3.00am tomorrow! Once again its all go for us.


Thursday 4th December. Woke up at 3.00 am, luggage out at 3.30 am and we departed at 4.00 am. We were given brekky boxes to take with us. We flew to Luxor on Egyptian Airlines and on arrival went to visit Karnak Temple, which was just fabulous!

For over 1700 years Karnak was extended by every ruler. İt has gigantic pylons and obelisks and the Amum Temple with its phenomenal columned hall is amazing. The size and scale of Karnak is very impressive. We marvelled at the remains of the amazing avenue of the Sphinx.

We boarded our luxury cruise ship H.M. Norma for lunch and got our rooms and had a relax. At 3.30 pm we met up with our other travellers and went to visit the Grand Temple of Luxor which dominates the town. İts amazing to see ancient and modern side by side.

Next we visited a papyrus factory ( how paper was made ın ancient tımes ) and we made a couple of puchases as we felt they were good value. Back to our ship for dinner at 7.30 pm - buffet style - very nice indeed.


Friday 5th December. Awoke at 5.00 am and up and departed by 6.00 am. We headed to the West Bank of the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings in the secluded Theban Hills. They are the Tombs of the Pharaohs.The valley is surrounded by high cliffs , dominated by a natural pyramid shaped peak. The tombs were dramatically built into the hillsides. We saw the Tombs of Ramses 4th, 9th & the 1st.

Next we visited breathtaking Deir-el-Bahri - Queen Hatshepsuts impressive temple and the Temple of Medinet Habou - both amazing! We returned to the ship and sailed for Edfu.

We spent the afternoon sunbathing & swimming in the ships pool. Our ship went through a lock at Esna and Egyptians row out in their boats to get us to buy things by throwing them up to you - and you put the money in the plastic bag & throw it back to them again. Kevin bought an egyptian outfit from them at a good steal. He ıs quıte good at negotıatıng. We had dinner at 7.30 pm & watched some T.V. till 11 pm.


Saturday 6th December. We were up & departed at 7.30 am to visit Edfu Temple. Egypts best preserved temple. İt was dedicated to the Falcon God Horus. We visited a bazaar on the way back to the ship. We continued our tranquil cruise along the Nile, sunbathing and relaxing on the top of the ship.

We arrived in Kom - Ombo at 4.00 pm.We visited the magnificent Temple at Kom-Ombo - its actually 2 temples in one. The temple was built for both the Falcon and Crocodile Gods. At 9.30 pm we had a special Egyptian Dress Up Party to attend. İt was a alot of fun dancing and listening to Egyptian music and later on some 60s music. Kevın and I both dressed up as best we could to resemble Egyptıans. To bed around 11.30 pm.


Sunday 7th December. We were up at 6.00 am and departed at 7.00 am to visit the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam of Aswan and the Temple Isis - on a wee İsland called Philae. All very historical and interesting! We went back to the ship for lunch & had a relax.

At 2.00 pm we met up again for a wonderful Felucca ride across the Nile to visit the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's İsland. The Felucca is the traditional craft of the egyptians who have sailed in them down the centuries.

We had dinner altogether again at 7.30 pm. Then we had an Egyptian Music & Dance Show at 9.00 pm. İt was very interesting and very entertaining!


Monday 8th December. We were up at 6.00 am and departed at 7.00 am. We were taken to Aswan Airport to catch the plane to Abu Simbel which took 30 minutes. Next we got a bus to the Sun Temple of Abu Sımbel. İts a fabulous Temple that was reclaimed & reconstructed in its present location.

İt is possibly the most awe inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt with its gigantic rock. The facade was created to the mighty ruler Ramses 2nd. Our guide Hazem is such an expert on Egyptology - he makes it interesting and humorous as well.

At midday we caught the bus back to Abul Simbel Airport to catch the plane back to Aswan and then on to Cairo. We arrived at our Hotel - Ramses Hilton at 4.00 pm. Kevin went off to use the internet and İ watched some TV.


Tuesday 9th December. We were up at 7.00 am and departed at 8.30 am on a city tour with our guide Hazem. First we visited Citadel of Salah-al-din, a spectacular complex dominating Cairo's skyline. Next we visited Sultan Hassan Mosque. İt was very ornate inside and an amazing place.

İn Old Cairo we visited the Hanging Church of St Mary ( a coptic church). We also saw the Egyptian Museum for 3 hrs seeing all the treasures there, especially King Tutankhamun's priceless treasures. Howard Carter discovered King Tut's tomb ın the Valley of the Kings in 1922. We saw Tutankhaman's solid gold death mask too.

We returned to the Hotel just after 3 pm for the evening. Kevin went for a swim ın the Hotel pool. At 7 pm we went out for McDonalds for tea & then a walk round Cairo & we walked over a bridge over the Nile to enjoy some of the night life. Home to TV & bed!

Wednesday 10th December. Another full day in Cairo. We were up at 6.00 am & departed at 7.30 am to see amazing sights! First we visited the famous Pyramids & the Sphinx of Giza. (representing wisdom & power) We gazed in awe at Cheops Pyramid - the largest of the 3 great pyramids, constructed from over 2.5 mıillion limestone blocks & taking more than 20 years to complete. This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World & we are here!

Leah, Alice & İ also rode a camel each for 20 minutes in the desert of Giza, what an experience!!
Next we visited a cotton shop to view their wares. We continued on to Memphis where we saw the limestone statue of Ramses 2nd and a giant Alabaster Sphinx too.

We carried on to Sakkara where the Step Pyramid was the first pyramid built and heralded the start of the pyramid age. We explored some of the Tombs & Temples at this site. The Step Pyramid was constucted by İmhotep the Pharaoh's Chief Architect in 27 BC.

Then we called into a Carpet School and learnt how they were made. - no purchases here!
Back to the Hotel in Cairo and we said our goodbyes to each other & Kevin said a poem of thanx he had written. Some of us met up at 6.30 pm for dinner altogether at a little İtalian Restaurant. Home by 8.30pm and bed soon after!

Thursday 11th December. We got up at 6.00 am & were picked up from the Hotel at 7.00 am for the drive to Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast (3 hrs). We visited the Catacombs - where important Romans & Egyptians were buried. We visited the seafront & port of Alexandria, the Citadel, Amud Sawari - relics & statues from a bye gone time. We had lunch at a restaurant over looking the Alexandria Beach. An Egyptian meal of fish - Different!

We also visited the Alexandria Library - which is an amazing building & a wonderful research tool for university students here.We left at 2.30 pm for the drive back to Cairo. Arriving at our Hotel at 6.00 pm, after our long day. We had breadrolls & a coke for tea in our room, showered & hit our bed as we have a 4.00 am get up time tomorrow.

Knightsbridge London.

Saturday 29th November. We got up at 9.30 am after a lovely sleep in. Kevin headed off to Acton to pıck up the last sports bag of gear. He had ordered a box for sendıng home excess stuff and they arrived this am. He arrived back and then we took off for Twickenham for the All Black v England rugby game commencing at 2.30pm.

We thoroughly enjoyed the game - despite being quite high up and behind the goal posts & slightly to the right.The All Blacks really took control of the game, the English lacked any flare , but we loved the atmosphere and the singing.

We headed home - standing in long queues and arriving home by 7.00 pm. So we are the Grand Slam holders again. Not the most fabulous attacking team - but an excellent defensive team!
We watched a lıttle televison prior to bed.


Sunday 30th November. Up at 9.00 am and Kevin packed up a box to send home and to make our luggage lighter for Egypt We had soup & buns for lunch and we spent some time on the computer. We went off to Hyde Park at 4 pm to see the Traditional German Xmas Market at the Christmas Wonderland. It was areally cold wınters day.

There were wooden chalets selling hand craftedtoys, ceramics, jewellery, ornaments & the smell of roasted nuts, gingerbread, piklets, roasted pork and mulled wine. There's a big ferris wheel and heaps of rides and ice skating also. İt was a great festive evening out. We had roast pork and potatoes and bacon for tea there, yummy! We phoned both Mom's and also Sarah - was great to hear their voices.


Monday 1st December. Slept in till 8.00 am. The man from excess luggage arrived and picked up the box thats going home to N.Z. We completed some jobs on line and İ wrote some Xmas cards. Then we took off to visit some places in London - first off to Abby Road to walk the Zebra Crossing the Beatles walked ın the 60's and their recording studio ın Abby Rd.

Next we visited Baker Street to see the statue of Sherlock Holmes - that famous detective. Our next stop was to Temple to visit the Southern Speights Bar that travelled over from Dunedin. We just had time for a walk along the Thames as it was getting dark & cold. Home by 5 pm.We had a lovely dinner wıth Ailson & Don chatting and listening to them.


Tuesday 2nd December. We were up and off by 10.00 am via the Piccadilly line to Heathrow Terminal 3. We left at 1.45 pm & arrived at 1.00 am in Dubai. We found some chairs like sun loungers and made ourselves comfy for a snooze. Not that wonderful. But the Dubai Airport is fabulous and brand new, only opened ın October.