Grand Bizarre. Last few days in the great city of 14m. Boat trip on the Bosphorus, cable car to the Pierre Loti Cafe, then down through old cemetery. Walk to the Egyptian Spice market for saffron. The Grand Bizarre and the Basilica Cistern - the underground water supply built by Justinian. Turkish coffee and delight, shish and kebobs, Effes beer and dinner at Fuego restaurant. Send off postcards and getting ready for trip home.

Old and new in Istanbul. Midday flight from Izmir to istanbul with Atlas Jet. Followed by the usual fast++ taxi ride to the Hotel Golden Horn. Walk around the exterior of the Topaki palace. Great cafe/ bar overlooking the Bosphorus.

The covered archeological jigsaw puzzle that is being put together in the ancient city of Ephesus. Yesterday saw the trip to Pamulkale. The ancient city of Hierapolis with its large amphitheatre and expansive ruins. The travertine thermal pools full of tourists and whistle blowing tourist police. Evening meal at the wonderful Mehemet's Heaven restaurant. The next morning the bus trip to Ephesus. Fabulously large site. Offered genuine authentic real roman coins...

The amphitheatre in the ancient city of Xanthos with its hollowed out stone seats. Our first visit for the day was to what remains of the Lycian city. Followed by a tour of a cooperative of traditional carpet makers. With its high pressure salesmen. In the afternoon it was onto the ghost town of Kayakoy south of Fethiye. Abandoned following the Greek & Turkish population swap of 1923. Great photo opportunities.

Party pirate ships in the small inlet near the ancient port city of Phaselis. Stopped there to see the Roman ruins and our first amphitheater of the tour. Dipped my fingers in the Mediterranean. Then onto the coastal town of Kas and the Linda Hotel.