Ruthie As always - a great read and an excellent account. *****

Michelle Amazing as always! Well written descriptive and very, very entertaining! Looking forward to your safe return. All the best for a wonderful Christmas and an exciting 2011.

Yogi Bear Excellent blog mate, I'll miss it. See ya in 3 weeks when we get back.

Kerry Nath you did a great job with this blog. Sounds like you two had an amazing time, glad that you and essy are heading back to Oz in one piece (well 2 i guess). Miss you guys tons! HK is not the same.. :( Hopfully see you down unda in the near future .. POST PICS!

Ruthie As usual totally awesome guys. Peace and a great trip home. Cant wait to talk to you about it when we get together.

Rob Asselman Here, here to what Luke said. Amazing writing!

Michelle you are one amazing writer, your reports were always very good - ok awesome! - to read too! so glad you will be part of the Joshua clan again! 2 weeks to go! ENJOY!!!!

luke a great read, mate. fascinating history in the area and interesting analysis which deserves further listening on my part to many more of these stories - over a few frothy's - upon your return.

Phillip Blampied Guys, Fantastic commentary of your travels. I've just caught up on about 5 countries in 20 minutes all from my living room... Sounds great and can't wait to hear some of the stories upon your return which can't be far away now. Don't know how you are going to settle in to living in one country for more than a week though. Mez is well and is a great mum already. Oh by the way we found out what we are having and its a little ______. I know you don't want to know so we'll try our best not to give it away but I think it'll be nearly impossible. Keep the posts coming and great work sharing all your adventures with us all.

Rhonda Wow Pithers, sounds awesome; also John the Baptist may have been very hard to kill because he was a follower of Jesus Christ! They had to behead him to succeed!

Rhonda Wow Pithers, sounds awesome; also John the Baptist was obviously very hard to kill because he was a follower of Jesus Christ! He did eventually die of natural causes.

Ruthie Amazing stuff. Perhaps we should just call you curly rather than noodles. Love your Blog. Christchurch still shaking

Adam Good work Noodles. Sounds pretty amazing. I read about Saladin, but what about Aladdin? Surely he's flying around somewhere in the middle east!

Ruthie GUYS it alk sounds soooo amazing and I am incredibly jeolous. I cant wait to see youtwo in Mel. and talk about all your amazing happenings. Hope Syria goes well. Do you have a return date yet. Keep up the terrific blogs and we love to read of your experiences. R xxx

luke loving hearing about the trip mate. A lot of amazing places by the sound of it. Enjoy Syria!