You wouldn't read about it!!

Flying out of Rome. A gr8 photo of the trafffic waiting to fly out after us.

The Grand Bazzar! Noisey, colouful, over the top!!

A sign seen from the bus this morning which caused some interesting comments.

Look closely to see three horizontal rows of tiles at the blue mosque, of 21,000!

Beautiful.

View from our hotel. We are in the old town with narrow streets and many people!

Tram, very elegant, and cheap!

Kevins dinnner, cooked in a claypot and bought flaming to the table. A great display. They sold heaps while we were there.

Since we have been away we have often seen people that really remind us of people at home. I guess it's part of missing our friends and family.

Well tonight we were having dinner in a restaurant in Istanbul. There are 29 million people in Istanbul and I don't know how many restaurants. A woman walked in and Kevin said " she reminds me of Helen" I had a look and thought yes she does. About half an hour later about 6 more people arrived and they all knew each other and there was lots of greeting and laughter and hugging etc. At this time I noticed a man I thought looked familiar, and to cut a long story short it was the sister and brother-in- law of my dear friend Helen from Dunedin. I didn't even know they were overseas. Couldn't believe it. Was so cool!!!

Anyway it was freezing today. We knew it would rain but the temp was predicted for 21 deg and didn't get above 13. So we were very cold unfortunately. But we did visit the Grand Bazaar. The tour guide said it was all overpriced so we didn't buy anything but amazing shops. Hundreds and hundreds! Then we went to the blue mosque which was really beautiful. Over 21000 hand painted tiles. Then the Topkapi Palace the hangout of the Ottoman rulers. Then St Sophias which was absolutely huge. This was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years.

Kev is much better today and we are ready to head off to Ankara tomorrow.

Early start, I thought it was 8am but turns out to be 7am. 6 hours on the bus so will miss the AB's game which is 11am our time. Fingers crossed!!