22 September

Troy today.  Up high with wonderful views over the valley. Hard to comprehend the age of  these ancient places. Trojan horse took pride of place amongst the ruins. The veracity of the story is questionable but fun. Had silly photo taken up in the wooden horse. Funny signs to designate male and female toilets...Paris and Helen. Long drive on to Pergamom. The "modern" town was interesting with winding lanes, men playing backgammon and drinking Turkish coffee, old houses etc. Winding road up steep mountain to ruined city. Guide told us so much historical info I will never remember it.

This tour we are on works differently to the norm. It's not a matter of meeting your guide, getting on a coach with fellow travellers and "doing" the trip together. It's actually made up of a series of regional tours with different guides and transport in each. Some people continue on to next destination with us and others go elsewhere. We usually have about six people in group. Accommodation and transport and sightseeing is organised for us and so far it's all worked like clockwork. There is independent time written in to the itinerary and we find our own dinner places almost every night. When we eat at touristy places, food very ordinary but in other restaurants healthy, tasty and quite cheap. Had some nice red wine (sometimes chilled). Those who drink beer like  Efes brand. Which brings us to Efes (Ephesus) tomorrow. 

21st September

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Long day again today at the battlefields and memorials at Gallipoli. Not usually my type of thing but it was very moving, especially the gravestones. Visited Anzac Cove, the cove where they now hold the Anzac ceremony, Lone Pine, Simpson's ( bloke with the donkey) grave, tunnels and trenches. Also went to a new Anzac museum opened a few years ago.  Quite good adio visuals and 3D presentations as well as artefacts. Told from the Turkish perception and well done. Saw large Turkish memorial and cemetery too. What a sad and futile fiasco the whole thing was. Staying at Cannakale tonight and heading to Kusadasi tomorrow via Troy and Pergamum.

Basilica cistern, Istanbul

September 20

Started off at the Basilica cisterns this morning. Staircases led down to what would be dark watery channels except they were lit by small orange lights on ancient columns..Both lights and columns reflected in the water. Statues like the one of Medusa had stood there since about 550BC. That's even older than me! Did a very touristy thing and had photo taken in costume. What on earth I'll do with it now I don't know! Then we decided to just wander around the little streets of cafes and shops.  I bought a fabric wall hanging or table runner or whatever it turns out to be when I get it home. Back to hotel for rest and drink and will venture out again tonight to see mosques lit up. Call to prayer is happening at the moment but for me it is more like a call to put the tired feet up for a while. Tomorrow off to Gallipoli and staying at Canakkale for a couple of nights.

September 18 ( a retrospective look!)

Was too tired after the flight from Sydney to Istanbul to write up this day so will fill in a little now. It looked on paper to be far too much for one day and it was full on but as so many of these things are very close to each other it was quite manageable and also close to our hotel, which incidentally, is historic...a revamped wooden building built over an ancient cistern.

Went via the hippodrome (old chariot racing site) to Hagia Sophia mosque, my favourite. The domes, minarets, ceilings, calligraphy, flagstone floors, carpets etc etc. Blue Mosque good too, especially the tiles, but it was very crowded especially as it was Friday and the mosque was closed to visitors for several hours so lots of people there at the same time. Had a meal in one of the ubiquitous little cafes. All the mezzes first, then a donner kebab like no other... Not exactly like those in our food courts! Then to Grand Bazaar but not enough time there so will probably go back. First impressions are that the Spice Maket is more characterful. Topkapi Palace ok, situated right on the water but I had been before and wasn't overwhelmed. Group taken to a carpet shop where lots was explained, apple tea was served and only a few bought rugs, once again not pressured although there was plenty of that going on elsewhere.

Stay tuned!

19th September

Earlyish start today for markets, mosques, palaces and boat trip on the Bosphorus. Started at the Spice Market which has much more than spices(although they are fascinating) and is a real Aladdins cave. Not too much hard sell either. Then a mosque called The New Mosque (it's ancient) which had similar decorative aspects to the Blue Mosque but much easier to make your way around without the hordes. Onto the boat to sail up the coast on the European side and down the cost on Asian side. Wonderful waterside mansions, yachts and restored wooden buildings. Both sides similar but E side busier with commercial and business focuses plus historical interest. A side quieter, greener and more residential. Had lunch way up on Istanbul's highest hill at a balcony restaurant with panoramic views. The lunch was atrocious so you can't have everything! Back to the very ornate Sultans palace...shades of Versailles nice, but a bit less tasteful. Lots of gold leaf, marble staircases and the biggest chandelier in the world. All prime realestate

15th September

All packed and ready to go. Leaving tomorrow at 6pm on Singapore Airlines bound for Istanbul via Singapore.