After breakfast at 7am the hotel staff was very helpful with what's happening today. Go on 8am ferry. Easy. On other side you meet driver. We hop off the ferry to people and buses everywhere. We walk to the locked gate. Presuming we have to wait? A young guy is talking to security and gets us outside - he must be our guide. Where would you like to go? He asks... He's not our guide. No it's ok, we have someone waiting for us - and then straight away the right guy ...

We caught a tour bus to Gallipoli from our hotel at 6.30am. We had stops along the way as the journey was long. We all closed our eyes until 9am for our Turkish breakfast at a pit-stop. We were entertained with the movie Troy. We had a toilet break at a mini zoo. Chickens, Roosters (one multicoloured including shiny gold!) Turkey, Peacock, Sheep, Pony, Dogs... (Including a Rottweiler with a tail). Then as we arrived at port we had Turkish lunch (pictures of 4-cou...

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a historic mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built from 1609 to 1616. There was a fast moving queue to get in even though there was hundreds of us. Our shoes removed in plastic bags provided, knees and shoulders were covered, as was my hair. Sean thought I looked very Turkish. There was still some praying as we were there for one of three ...

The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower built in 1348 in Istanbul, located just north of the Golden Horn. It is one of the city's most striking landmarks. It is a 67m high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and offers a panoramic vista of Old Istanbul. There was a constant queue of 50 people lining up to go into the lift that would fit 6 at a time. An entrance fee of 26 Turkish Lira ($15AUS) for two and it was worth it. It was packed up there o...

We walked around Istanbul today. Checking out museums, mosques and markets. So many locals and tourists around. Cars filling the narrow streets and fast driving taxis. Many options for a quick stop to buy take away kebabs, different flavoured baklava (I tried 6 today, double walnut was my fav) freshly squeezed juices. Every restauranteur you lock eye contact with is "welcoming" you to take a seat at their "finest" table. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of th...