Email 23rd June 2010

Hi again everyone,

Here is the second in our epistles on our journey.

Didn’t sleep on board the boat as planned sleeping on the top deck under the stars, due to rough seas, (mind you the seas weren't rough as we know it in Cook Straight) but everyone was pleased to spend the night in the hotel!

 However we spent the day on board, exploring one of the islands, swimming (not us) and climbing up to a 4th c castle, plus seeing the underground sunken city 3rd c which had sunk in an earthquake. Pamukkale was where we went next, to see the old ruins of Hierapolis which was built on top of the white terraces, (something like our pink and white terraces, which were lost in the 1800's) found it very interesting especially the Roman City area, which led us on to another old city in Ephesus, where we walked again round the old Roman temples etc. We have found the history of these areas so fascinating (even with sore feet!!)

 On next to Troy where we climbed into “the wooden horse”, and then on to Canakkale, where we were the only two who were offered food from a type of Moslem soup kitchen on the streets. (They insisted we have it, and I hate yoghurt!!) It was rice yoghurt and beef) OK!! One of the old ladies of the town approached us to find out where we got it, and rushed off to get hers!! We are not sure whether it was a soup kitchen or religious festival!!!

We have continued to have good weather in Turkey, and found it very sobering when we went to Gallipoli. Anzac Cove first, Lone Pine, then Chunnuk Bair!!(spelling!) where the 6 kiwis all laid a poppy on the grave of the NZ soldiers. Quite a ride into Istanbul from here, our side going through the toll bridge was 10 lanes wide of traffic. Sandra's comment! "Just like 5 oclock traffic round the port!!" The next 3 days was spent in Istanbul, where we were on our own and had time to explore. Twice round in a double-decker bus, visiting a magnificent palace, a boat on the Bosphorus, walked over Galatus Bridge and Sandra went on to see (and climb the tower) Fantastic views from there. Had fun sending a parcel each back home and ended up having to seal and open them 3 times before the woman was satisfied it was OK, Sandra's comment "She likes the Job its the work she hates". Last day was spent looking at the art & culture museum and went on to find the carpet bazaar, and found the mosaic museum, an underground former palace, most interesting. Lyle found out how to stop the flash on her camera here!!

 Turkish Airlines then to Ljubljana, where we encountered our first rain of the trip. 38 on this trip compared to the 15 in Turkey. Soon got to know most of them, and on the road again to visit the Postojana Caves. They leave Waitomo for dead. 21ks of them and we only saw 5. Into Croatia and made it to Zadar for the night another old town full of history. The next day saw us make our way down the Dalmatian Coast to Dubrovnik for 2 nights.

All the way we saw the damage and were now very aware of the war that took place in 1991-3 more so after Sandra bought a book written by a woman who lost her 9 year old son. Very sad. It covered the area we were staying including our hotel which was bombed and rebuilt, plus the petrol station where she queued for aid and was eyeballed by the enemy at close range. The Old Town was interesting and I Sandra walked round the walls, while Lyle sat and had a beer with a couple of others. (Lazy bugger!!) We also had a half hour walk south of the city so she didn’t miss out altogether! On this trip we also visited a vineyard and sampled 4 different wines on an empty stomach then to a old flourmill where they supplied more alcohol and dried figs. To finish that day off we also had cocktails on the beach. (You will never guess the name of them!! Sex on .the beach!!) Our trip now took us into Bosnia Herzegovina and to Sarajevo. Stopped at Mostar and were interested to se the reconstruction of the 16th c bridge. I, Sandra was fascinated as had seen all the info on TV. Prince Charles was invited to reopen it a couple of years ago. On the walking tour saw gypsies, some tried to pickpocket one of the guys. Bosnia is definitely the poor relation and I felt very sad about the area but Lyle thought it just plain creepy. Pleased to hear NZ drew 1-1 against Italy, as we were walking round the streets here. Great whoops of delight from the Kiwis in the group. The others helped us celebrate that night!! One of the highlights of the trip was the Plitvice National Park in Croatia where we struck a wet day to walk in it to see the beautiful waterfalls and bush. (We got soaked!!!) Gave up dodging puddles and just ploughed straight through them. Hairdryers make wonder dryers of shoes after trips like that one! Today has been our last day together, with a bus trip of 200ks back to Ljubljana tonight.

We did have 2 walking tours in Zagreb and Ljubljana today which were very interesting. We have once again found the tour group friendly and really enjoyed each others company. We have been lucky so far with our 2 groups. Off to Bled for the day tomorrow, We then have 5 more days before the next tour starts in Helsinki/ Rovaniemi. in Scandinavia. I managed to get my Passport Cash Card to go again, so big relief there. I am now good to go again!!!

All for now, from the wanderers, Sandra & Lyle