Masukiye Izmit

... was just a collection of houses, bars, motels, restaurants, boats boatstaurants, kebab shops and supermarkets. We walked down the beach, towards the sea, unloaded our bags, and set up camp on two lounging chairs, got changed and sunbathed for about 20 minutes. I had the urge to go explore, as our plan was, if we could find one, to go to a campsite, set up the tent, and if we caught fish by then, to cook it over the open flames or embers, wrapped in tin foil. My exploration ...

... It was disgusting how these rodents would so soil their own homes. I don't need to go into the details. But of humans to exhibit the same traits, I just don't know. I am not a neat and clean freak by any stretch of the imagination, but do try to keep a handle on things. I had notions toward a picture book for Turkey. On the left page would be the beautiful scenic overview (and I do say that Turkey is an endless collection of extremely varied and beautiful scenery ...

... and floor coverings. When the Turkish people finally got a look at the Palace interior in 1921 they were so outraged that they elected Mustafa Kamil Ataturk President-for-life, and the last Sultan had to leave by rowboat under cover of darkness. (Well, not really. I just wanted to see if y'all were paying attention. Actually he did leave at night by rowboat the join his money in Europe, but the hideous décor was only part of the problem.) Thursday we ...

... the Indians. Sunday we met a friend for dinner and on Wednesday we left via private car to the Taj Mahal in Agra. (Sorry, we are not hitch-hiking in India.) It is a four-hour drive (one-way) to the Taj Mahal - well worth the trip. On the road to Agra we passed elephants, camels, a wild boar and her boarlets, donkeys, horses and every means of transportation both animal and mechanical imaginable. The small tuk-tuks, not much larger ...

Picture this ... 5 Turks, 1 Israeli, 2 Americans, 2 French Canadians, 2 Potugese, 1 New Zealander, 1 South Korean, 2 Slovenians, 7 Christians, 5 Muslims, 4 lost souls and a Jew. The start of a bad joke? Or the beginning of an international conflict? Nope, sorry to dissapoint ... our Christmas dinner guest list last night! Who says we can't all learn to live together huh? Yep, dispite living in a country where Christams doesn't exist, we managed to have a ...

... portion for them. I'm so jealous - really wish I could join them, but I sadly have to stay here and be all responsible about my job and flat, etc. (yuck!) Otherwise plans for 2007 involve learning Turkish, getting through a really loooooooooong list of books I've been meaning to read, finding a decent flat, getting Ann over here on a holiday and planning my next big trip of course! Ok, so that's not all that's on the list, but it's ...

I remember arriving in Istanbul a month ago and being completely surprised at how modern and 'Westernised' it was. Now I know that that makes me sound like an ignoramus and someone who has Muslim stereotypes burned onto her brain, but seriously, I had honestly expected it to be a lot like Egypt. I couldn't have been more wrong and everyday I learn something new about the very modern Turkish Republic. This is the only really safe forum for me to vent my views so bear with me here. One ...

... sauce, some kind of black stuff and lots of other stuffings that I can't remember. There has been a little excitement around the city. The Pope is coming, and everyone in Istanbul hates the Pope with a ...

... completely waste of time interviews - lo an behold - a sudden light appeared! Travel Talk, a backpackers tour company based in Istanbul, were looking for an English speaking tour consultant ... get this ... preferably Ozzie, Kiwi or South African! Amen Brother! (To perpetuate the hateful use of cliches)therby cutting a long story short - my new home is now the Big Apple Hostel in Sultanahmet (only the wickedest accommodation on the planet), my current place ...

... so I planted myself there for a couple of hours. After awhile, I couldnt believe it when a mate and his wife (Damien Dawe and Miffy) came walking down the street. I had dinner with them in London and didnt expect to catch up with them again until we were back home. They were staying at the same hostel I was and were travelling with two girls from Brisbane. They only decided to come to Istanbul at the last minute. We stayed at ...