The Banya, It had been for days since I'd last had a shower, thank God for the miracle properties that enable merino wool mask body odour but there are limits! We had just walked 20km I the rain over the Otis range descending from over 3800m, I was hyperventilating as my body desperately tried to acclimatise to the altitude. I was covered in dark brown viscous mud head to toe, my boots were leaking and my knees aching from the downward assault. We arrived at...

The fellowship depart (you couldn't make this up!) A weapons advisor, a driving instructor and an RE teacher... After some foraging we retreated to our yurt to watch the raging storm, thunder echoing round the valley. The gentle pitta patta drops of rain on the felt roof outside layer a rhythmic reminder of our humble dwellings. The yurt reeks if damp, a hint of smoke (Martin) and animal. All that could be seen was the faint glow of Martins head torch through t...

Arrived into airport 8.15 am after sleepless flight. Feeling the 5hour time difference now... Checked into hotel after quick transfer from airport. So far life has included swimming by the pool, sampling local beer and fruitless flirting with the lovely blonde Russian hotel receptionist yulia. Also 12 hours left to work my charms before breakfast. It's very soviet here, whatever I mean by that, old burnt out vehicles but with a mass amount of building generat...

....the skyline was littered with minarets, Each standing to rigid military like attention. Soldiers on patrol each saluting Allah to the heavens. Each a white glowing beacon of dedication, a life of prayer personified by a fluorescent arrow forcing the observer to remember Istanbul's turbulent origins. History cloaked in violence and bloodshed, the last echoes endure on... A hungry water cannon prowls the recesses and back alleys of Taksim square ready to pou...

Here I go again on my own!!! Coz I'm leaving on a jet plane don't know when I'll be back again! (Well 14th July into LONDON) Turkish airlines amazing. I just got a heads up saying flight just landed boarding in ten mins! Roll on gin and tonic! This may be the most random country I've been to yet, but... Potentially the most beautiful :) first stop Istanbul for 36 hours, one hostel then overnight at airport, hope there's a comfy bench to crash on then 1am flight ...