Just in case you had any fears about us being anywhere near the reported attacks in Istanbul, we weren't. They were a long way away. We're safe.
Fiona
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
We've made it to Istanbul
We have arrived in Istanbul after 10.5 hour trip from Sydney to Seoul, Korea on ANZAC Day with an overnight stop there. Seoul is one hour behind us. I understand Seoul is a beautiful place but all we saw was Icheon Airport, the shuttle bus to the Hyatt Regency Hotel 3 minutes away, dinner and breakfast there, another shuttle bus back and the airport again. Never mind, there really wasn’t time to take a sightseeing trip. We travelled with two others on the trip from Sydney and have lovely photos of the four of us so far. Dinner and breakfast were included as part of the package but the AUD200 I cashed in Sydney to get 154,000 Korean Won went very quickly on 4 beers, one glass of wine and a bottle of wine, ouch. Then, another 12 hour flight leaving Seoul at 1430 hrs on Sunday. We got to Istanbul at 7.30pm local time which is 7 hours behind Eastern Australia. Rather tired, I don’t sleep on planes, but John napped away very happily.
A vehicle from the hotel John and I thought we were staying in, picked up the four of us and certainly not enough room for all the luggage. Nursed a lot of it and really saw nothing of Istanbul during the drive as the car was so fogged up and we couldn’t find anything to let the windows down. Got to the hotel to be greeted by quite a few of our trip group but were told that our reservation had not been altered from our original booking so had to go to another hotel. Thankfully the Orient Express was just down a cobbled laneway on the main tram line not far from the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. So now I can also lay claim to having been in the Orient Express, OK not the train!! We are not far from the Bosphorus Bay and apparently it can be seen from the rooftop restaurant but the couple of times I have been up there to have a look, the door has been locked.
By the time we got settled in at that hotel we were hanging out for a drink. Back up to the Erboy and a couple of well earned Efes, the local beer. I haven’t had one of those since 1985 when I was in Cyprus and Turkey. By the time we got to bed it was after midnight, 7am your time. Slept very well though with not a sign of jet lag.
Apparently we will be leaving Istanbul on Wednesday morning for the camping ground which is around 50km from here. Then the job of getting the vehicles ready for travel will start and we leave on the 1st for Gallipoli.
We have encountered several Aussies around here, obviously on their way back from Gallipoli. One of our group got fleeced of 1000 euro - $2000 yesterday. He didn’t know it was missing until some time later. A very sick feeling in the tummy, but a reminder to everyone to be wary. John and I were stopped but some locals on our walk back to the hotel last night and while they were very smooth about, were obviously trying to work out whether he had a money pouch around his neck by making a joke of the ‘shelf of a tummy’ and rubbing it. He didn’t twig to what they were doing but I was most insistent we move on.
John has gone off this morning to deal with getting the vehicles out of the containers and I have been for a little wander.
I went out and saw Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and even survived the Grand Bazaar. What a place that is. About the size of Canberra CBD and jammed packed with all manner of shops. I made the mistake of stopping to admire a gorgeous rug in one window and couldn’t get rid of the guy. However, you should all be proud of me, I only bought one thing, a gorgeous pashmina for the equivalent of A$20.
The guys are all off this morning trying to get the vehicles cleared through Customs and we hope to leave Istanbul in the morning, bound for our first camping ground. I haven’t had time to download pictures, but hope to do that tonight before we leave urban territory.
Cheers
Fiona and John
A vehicle from the hotel John and I thought we were staying in, picked up the four of us and certainly not enough room for all the luggage. Nursed a lot of it and really saw nothing of Istanbul during the drive as the car was so fogged up and we couldn’t find anything to let the windows down. Got to the hotel to be greeted by quite a few of our trip group but were told that our reservation had not been altered from our original booking so had to go to another hotel. Thankfully the Orient Express was just down a cobbled laneway on the main tram line not far from the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. So now I can also lay claim to having been in the Orient Express, OK not the train!! We are not far from the Bosphorus Bay and apparently it can be seen from the rooftop restaurant but the couple of times I have been up there to have a look, the door has been locked.
By the time we got settled in at that hotel we were hanging out for a drink. Back up to the Erboy and a couple of well earned Efes, the local beer. I haven’t had one of those since 1985 when I was in Cyprus and Turkey. By the time we got to bed it was after midnight, 7am your time. Slept very well though with not a sign of jet lag.
Apparently we will be leaving Istanbul on Wednesday morning for the camping ground which is around 50km from here. Then the job of getting the vehicles ready for travel will start and we leave on the 1st for Gallipoli.
We have encountered several Aussies around here, obviously on their way back from Gallipoli. One of our group got fleeced of 1000 euro - $2000 yesterday. He didn’t know it was missing until some time later. A very sick feeling in the tummy, but a reminder to everyone to be wary. John and I were stopped but some locals on our walk back to the hotel last night and while they were very smooth about, were obviously trying to work out whether he had a money pouch around his neck by making a joke of the ‘shelf of a tummy’ and rubbing it. He didn’t twig to what they were doing but I was most insistent we move on.
John has gone off this morning to deal with getting the vehicles out of the containers and I have been for a little wander.
I went out and saw Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and even survived the Grand Bazaar. What a place that is. About the size of Canberra CBD and jammed packed with all manner of shops. I made the mistake of stopping to admire a gorgeous rug in one window and couldn’t get rid of the guy. However, you should all be proud of me, I only bought one thing, a gorgeous pashmina for the equivalent of A$20.
The guys are all off this morning trying to get the vehicles cleared through Customs and we hope to leave Istanbul in the morning, bound for our first camping ground. I haven’t had time to download pictures, but hope to do that tonight before we leave urban territory.
Cheers
Fiona and John
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
What a Bugger - Ball has been cancelled
Got news this morning that the Chateau Ball has been cancelled. At least I don't have to pack the ballgown aand everything else. But we were so looking forward to that night.
Anyway, I'll make sure that at some stage photos of what would have been on that night are loaded.
Cheers
Fiona
Anyway, I'll make sure that at some stage photos of what would have been on that night are loaded.
Cheers
Fiona
Friday, April 17, 2009
Latest Itinerary and links
Apr 25 Sydney to Seoul
26 Seoul to Istanbul
27 to 28 Istanbul Collect vehicles through Customs and prepare for journey
29 Istanbul to Selimpassa Camp - prepare for journey, sightsee Istanbul
30 Istanbul Sightseeing Istanbul
May-01 Istanbul to Gallipoli. Starting from Selimpassa Camp to Gallipoli National Park camp site Our route map can be found at https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82HMrDj504ulVtMKrW7VCp6u7oN4N2j72HTMZouaEQ9oJOWlyaV_OsTb7DbV_Odo5KSxzAfuwuj33LhAQhSkQ3Jtd5ptZmuYQuvTYkX6kZJrLejAlRcf8ltyw0x7ZN1CMNtiO8Tzm8p2H/s1600-h/world+map+1.JPG
2 Gallipoli. Day in Gallipoli. Ferry to Cannakale and Troy and return if desired
3 Gallipoli to Alexandropolis Greece
4 Alexandropolis to Thassos. Get 30 min ferry from Keramoti. Stay in one of several beachside camp grounds
5 Keramoti. Day off on rugged island of Thassos. Spectacular view and great seafood
6 Thassos to Thessalonika. 1 hr ferry to Kavalla then on to the pretty second city of Greece
7 Thessalonika to Volos. Via magnificent scenic route to Mt Olympus http://www.greeka.com/greek-mythology.htm
8 Volosto Athens/Piraeus. Board ferry to Crete at 2000. Arrive Iraklion 0630
9 Iraklion to Chania. Lunch at Rethimnon. Outdoor café dinner on ancient harbour wall
10 Chania to Sfakia. Morning Maleme airfield/war graves then mountain drive to south coast evacuation point
11 Kastelli to Chania/Suda Bay. Walk up spectacular gorge, winding drive to Suda (main Crete War Cemetary) http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/other_cemeteries_ext/suda_bay_warcem.htm Fiona's grandfather's first cousin Alexander Duncan Kaitia MacPhee NX 2656 was killed on the first day of battle on 20 May 1941 and is buried at Suda Bay Cemetery.
12 Suda to Iraklion. Explore ancient harbour town and lost city of Knossos http://ancient-greece.org/archaeology/knossos.html
13 Iraklion to Iraklion. Drive beautiful coast. Lunch at Agios-Nikolaos. Return to ferry at 2100. Piraeus 0630
14 Pireaus/Athens to Korinthos. Day exploring Athens then short drive over Corinth Canal to camp site
15 Korinthos to Patros/Ancona. Relaxed coastal drive.Visit ANZAC evacuation ports. Board ferry at 1700. Ancona 1300
16 Ancona
17 Ancona to Scarperia. Cross Italian mountain spine to Scarperia. Picturesque Tuscan village 20km from Florence
18 Scarperia to Pisa. Sight seeing Florence and Pisa
19 Pisa to Garlenda. One of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. Garlenda village welcome.
20 Garlenda to Turin. Pretty drive to probably the nicest big city of the trip
21 Turin to Feriolo. Drive up the picture postcard Lake Maggiore. Camp ground on lake waterfront
22 Feriolo Day off shopping, sightseeing and swimming
23 Verbano to Seelisburg. Winding Simplon Pass, Furka underground railway, Seelisburg mountain top lake camp
24 Seelisburg to Mulhouse. Three great museums, Automobile, Firefighters and Railways (Fiona not interested)
25 Mulhouse to Verdun. Enter France
26 Verdun. Day off - The Citadel, visit untouched WWI battle sites and French National War Memorial
27 Verdun to Bois de Bologne (Paris). Night visit to Paris if wanted
28 Bois de Bologne. Paris day. Drive or catch the train to visit French Military Club workshops. Fiona to Versailles
29 Bois de Bologne to Bagnoles de l'Orne. Beautiful small spa town nestled in forested hills
30 Bagnoles de l'Orne to Pontorson. Straight on to Mont St Michel (9km) for day before returning to camp
31 Pontorson to Periers. Nice drive to Peter Tomb's farm. BBQ
Jun-01 Periers to Etreham. Join British MVT at campground http://www.maplandia.com/france/basse-normandie/calvados/bayeux/etreham/
2 - 8 Etreham http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/images/1983-1-dp-dday-2009-anglais-pdf.pdf
5 Fireworks along 50km of coastline at 25 sites
6 D-Day. Presidents Obama and Sarkosey in attendance somewhere along the coast
7 Ball at the Chateau d-Amaye sur Seulles. It appears it is going to be a grand fun evening with the Australian Ambassador and various other multi-national industrial and social nobility coming down from Paris. Anna suggests we have our vehicles parked around the sweeping driveway to add colour as the patrons arrive in their "carriages". The theme, as Bev has said, is "resistance allied chic". The ladies are searching Lifeline and St Vinnies for a 1940's style dress, it would be good if our girls got into the swing of things as well. For the men anything from tails, old suits, escaped prisoners of war dress or French-looking 1940's working clothes worn by the underground. Fiona has found a 1920's black velvet ballgown and jacket courtesy of her mother-in-law.
8 Etreham to Dieppe via coast road and outstanding scenery
9 Dieppe to Villers-Bretonneux Australian National War Memorial http://www.webmatters.net/cwgc/villers_bret_mem.htm
10 Villers-Brettoneux to Amiens. Ancient cathedral town. Many War Cemetaries and museums enroute http://www.learn.columbia.edu/Mcahweb/index-frame.html
11 Amiens to Eiper/Ypres. Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge, tunnels. Last Post and lowering of Australian Flag Ypres Menin Gate http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/menin-gate/last-post.html
12 Eiper/Ypres to Zeebrugge. Loading onto returning ship
13 -18 Zeebrugge to Amsterdam ??
18 London/Stansted
19 - 21 B+B Belgravia 64-66 Ebury Street Belgravia London SW1W9QD
22 London to Rainham. Via train to Rainham, collect campervan
23 - 8 July UK Return campervan, Rainham and train to Heathrow.
8 London to Seoul
9 Seoul to Sydney
10 Sydney to Canberra
And we are home!!!!!
26 Seoul to Istanbul
27 to 28 Istanbul Collect vehicles through Customs and prepare for journey
29 Istanbul to Selimpassa Camp - prepare for journey, sightsee Istanbul
30 Istanbul Sightseeing Istanbul
May-01 Istanbul to Gallipoli. Starting from Selimpassa Camp to Gallipoli National Park camp site Our route map can be found at https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82HMrDj504ulVtMKrW7VCp6u7oN4N2j72HTMZouaEQ9oJOWlyaV_OsTb7DbV_Odo5KSxzAfuwuj33LhAQhSkQ3Jtd5ptZmuYQuvTYkX6kZJrLejAlRcf8ltyw0x7ZN1CMNtiO8Tzm8p2H/s1600-h/world+map+1.JPG
2 Gallipoli. Day in Gallipoli. Ferry to Cannakale and Troy and return if desired
3 Gallipoli to Alexandropolis Greece
4 Alexandropolis to Thassos. Get 30 min ferry from Keramoti. Stay in one of several beachside camp grounds
5 Keramoti. Day off on rugged island of Thassos. Spectacular view and great seafood
6 Thassos to Thessalonika. 1 hr ferry to Kavalla then on to the pretty second city of Greece
7 Thessalonika to Volos. Via magnificent scenic route to Mt Olympus http://www.greeka.com/greek-mythology.htm
8 Volosto Athens/Piraeus. Board ferry to Crete at 2000. Arrive Iraklion 0630
9 Iraklion to Chania. Lunch at Rethimnon. Outdoor café dinner on ancient harbour wall
10 Chania to Sfakia. Morning Maleme airfield/war graves then mountain drive to south coast evacuation point
11 Kastelli to Chania/Suda Bay. Walk up spectacular gorge, winding drive to Suda (main Crete War Cemetary) http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/other_cemeteries_ext/suda_bay_warcem.htm Fiona's grandfather's first cousin Alexander Duncan Kaitia MacPhee NX 2656 was killed on the first day of battle on 20 May 1941 and is buried at Suda Bay Cemetery.
12 Suda to Iraklion. Explore ancient harbour town and lost city of Knossos http://ancient-greece.org/archaeology/knossos.html
13 Iraklion to Iraklion. Drive beautiful coast. Lunch at Agios-Nikolaos. Return to ferry at 2100. Piraeus 0630
14 Pireaus/Athens to Korinthos. Day exploring Athens then short drive over Corinth Canal to camp site
15 Korinthos to Patros/Ancona. Relaxed coastal drive.Visit ANZAC evacuation ports. Board ferry at 1700. Ancona 1300
16 Ancona
17 Ancona to Scarperia. Cross Italian mountain spine to Scarperia. Picturesque Tuscan village 20km from Florence
18 Scarperia to Pisa. Sight seeing Florence and Pisa
19 Pisa to Garlenda. One of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. Garlenda village welcome.
20 Garlenda to Turin. Pretty drive to probably the nicest big city of the trip
21 Turin to Feriolo. Drive up the picture postcard Lake Maggiore. Camp ground on lake waterfront
22 Feriolo Day off shopping, sightseeing and swimming
23 Verbano to Seelisburg. Winding Simplon Pass, Furka underground railway, Seelisburg mountain top lake camp
24 Seelisburg to Mulhouse. Three great museums, Automobile, Firefighters and Railways (Fiona not interested)
25 Mulhouse to Verdun. Enter France
26 Verdun. Day off - The Citadel, visit untouched WWI battle sites and French National War Memorial
27 Verdun to Bois de Bologne (Paris). Night visit to Paris if wanted
28 Bois de Bologne. Paris day. Drive or catch the train to visit French Military Club workshops. Fiona to Versailles
29 Bois de Bologne to Bagnoles de l'Orne. Beautiful small spa town nestled in forested hills
30 Bagnoles de l'Orne to Pontorson. Straight on to Mont St Michel (9km) for day before returning to camp
31 Pontorson to Periers. Nice drive to Peter Tomb's farm. BBQ
Jun-01 Periers to Etreham. Join British MVT at campground http://www.maplandia.com/france/basse-normandie/calvados/bayeux/etreham/
2 - 8 Etreham http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/images/1983-1-dp-dday-2009-anglais-pdf.pdf
5 Fireworks along 50km of coastline at 25 sites
6 D-Day. Presidents Obama and Sarkosey in attendance somewhere along the coast
7 Ball at the Chateau d-Amaye sur Seulles. It appears it is going to be a grand fun evening with the Australian Ambassador and various other multi-national industrial and social nobility coming down from Paris. Anna suggests we have our vehicles parked around the sweeping driveway to add colour as the patrons arrive in their "carriages". The theme, as Bev has said, is "resistance allied chic". The ladies are searching Lifeline and St Vinnies for a 1940's style dress, it would be good if our girls got into the swing of things as well. For the men anything from tails, old suits, escaped prisoners of war dress or French-looking 1940's working clothes worn by the underground. Fiona has found a 1920's black velvet ballgown and jacket courtesy of her mother-in-law.
8 Etreham to Dieppe via coast road and outstanding scenery
9 Dieppe to Villers-Bretonneux Australian National War Memorial http://www.webmatters.net/cwgc/villers_bret_mem.htm
10 Villers-Brettoneux to Amiens. Ancient cathedral town. Many War Cemetaries and museums enroute http://www.learn.columbia.edu/Mcahweb/index-frame.html
11 Amiens to Eiper/Ypres. Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge, tunnels. Last Post and lowering of Australian Flag Ypres Menin Gate http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/menin-gate/last-post.html
12 Eiper/Ypres to Zeebrugge. Loading onto returning ship
13 -18 Zeebrugge to Amsterdam ??
18 London/Stansted
19 - 21 B+B Belgravia 64-66 Ebury Street Belgravia London SW1W9QD
22 London to Rainham. Via train to Rainham, collect campervan
23 - 8 July UK Return campervan, Rainham and train to Heathrow.
8 London to Seoul
9 Seoul to Sydney
10 Sydney to Canberra
And we are home!!!!!
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