?Well.....currently enjoying the sunshine in Oludeniz in Turkey! Its been a long time coming! So from Bucharest we travelled through some fantastic?Bulgaria countryside to Dryonovo Monestery near Valiko Torinvo. Visited nearby caves and decieded to run up the hill overlooking the monestery...what a spectacular view...but forgort the camera!!! Doh! Monks were lovely....getting used to sign language now!?Bulgaria has been a bit of a rush job....another time I suppose!?Bush camped by the river the following evening....even got to sunbake by the river for a short while......the layers are slowly being peeled off. Rachel and Des tryed some fishing.....would have helped if they had some bait right enough! Woke up the next morning to a frosty tent and an extra early start. Just as well as we had a 5 hour delay at the turkish border....oh well, good excuse to have a runaround with a frisbee and a ball....it was very toasty. Arrived in Istanbul later that evening...the place was buzzing and so were we....it felt like?we hadn`t been in a city for months....plus we got to stay in an hotel! It was nice to spread out for a few days! I had no expectations for Istanbul and it blew me away! The people and the place are just fab! It`s such a bright vibrant city!?The group headed out for dinner in Sultanahmet...bit difficult when there are 32 of you! Had drinks...then more drinks....then I was supposed to go home but had more drinks instead!?It was worth it just to see the Blue Mosque at sunrise! Got lost in Istanbul with a lovely chap who showed me all the sights....Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazzar, Blue Mosque had a hamam(turkish bath with massage) and took the ferry to Asia...what a strange concept! Also picked up Sheila from the post office....thanks mum!?Got awoken by the prayer call at 5am every morning...I now feel like I`m a long way from home! (wherever that may be). Left Istanbul on the 24th to head to Galipolli?for ANZAC day. Camped near Anzac cove next to the beach. The aussies and Kiwis were out in force of course...thousands of them lining the beach in their sleeping bags in preparation for the dawn service. I`m sure it`s an important occasion for them but I can`t help thinking that it`s all just a big tourist attraction! Went to the dawn service and spent the rest of the day chilling by the beach awaiting our resident Kiwis (Grant and Sarah)to return to the truck.?We are now enjoying the turkish coast having visited Troy and then Ephesus the most amazing roman ruins I`ve ever seen! Also took a trip to? the house where the virgin Mary apparently lived out her final days....em odd I suppose for me! Today has been a beach day of sorts/ Went kayaking and my canoe sank...and no it`s not because I`ve put on 2 stone....it was just rubbish! However hilarious as Grant, Danny and myself had to rescue it from the bottom of the lagoon and somehow drag it back! It caused a lot of amusement to the guys on the beach.....glad I can be of use...entertaining the masses!

?I can`t believe it`s only been 3 weeks....it feels like 3 months(in the best possible way). The group are an interesting and varied bunch and it feels like we`ve been friends for years.? Everyone has now more or less found their feet and can put their tents up in record time....I`m still helping Ave put hers away!

?This trip I had hoped would help me deciede which side of the world I would like to settle in....I already know it`s going to make it even harder. I could keep doing this forever.....I think!

?Must apologise for the lack of photos.....having big problems downloading. However I will?keep trying.....time consuming though it is!?

Happy Birthday mum! Unable to get a phone card in this wee town....and believe me I`ve tried! Have no credit on my mobile either...but I`m working on it! I hope you had a fabby day and I miss you lots....pressie in the post but will be late...you know me! Love you!