Istanbul to Heybeliada

Needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the big smoke, so the Princes Island group was the choice.  L'isola Guesthouse, on Heybeliada.  What a place to wind down, especially after the horrible news of Bro and Merinda, very hilly, with the whole places roofs becoming nesting sites for the huge seagulls. There seemed to be as many cats here as in Istanbul, heaps of dogs too.  No-one seemed the least bit interested in a sterilisation programme.  It is kitten time now so, although very cute, the numbers are swelling.
Oh it would be so easy just a quick nick with the razor blade, to the boys.

One of the original houses, in Heybeliada, neglected because they can't be removed only renovated.

Anyway, D and G walked the road around the island, which is lovely despite the piles of garbage. Horse drawn carriages, no private cars allowed. Really peaceful, even managed to breakout the sketchbook and charcoal. After 3 nights back to the ferry for the 90 minute trip back to Istanbul for two days.
Next adventure by fast ferry to Mudanya then Bursa.

Pictures from Istanbul

Not praying-photographing!!

Hagia Sofia

the spice bazaar

A bucket of Suckers - leeches

Istanbul May 21

The picture below is looking from the terrace of the Hotel Sebnem down to the steep street.

After a long flight overnight they arrived, reasonably relaxed, only to discover that the price of visas for Australians had gone from $US20 to $US60 or 45 euros payable immediately in that currency and......no prior notification.  Luckily G was prepared, maybe he was a boy scout in another life. LOL. Istanbul, was hectic, exciting, hilly, crazy and hugely interestîng. The hotel Sebnem in Sultanahmet was a lovely small family run place with fantastic views from the roof terrace, the brekkie spot, a fitting place for the truly magnificent repast.  A few days later they met up with D's brother and sister-in-law and all had lunch together before the WA connection had to travel on.

News from D and G

The first few days of the trip were spent in a really nice boutique hotel, named the Puri Melaka it had been the family home of Chinese merchants and is very cloyse to Jonkers St, a real tourist trap.  D and G used to get up about 6.30am and go walking for an hour or two befor
e a sumptuous brekkie.  They took a trip on the river and saw some really interesting sights, including this huge scary monster, who could easily eat a joey. They left after 4 days and flew on to Istanbul.

This scary monitor was spotted by G when he and D took a boat trip along the Melaka river. It was relaxing (waiting for a victim?) whenthey saw it they reckon it was two metres long.

This little cafe was also spotted from the ferry.

 Reggae by the River

water monitor

FANTASTIC NEWS

FANTASTIC NEWS
Mate has started to get well, thanks to the fantastic nursing skills of Carole and Stephan. We are so pleased they are looking after us and especially little Mate.

Upsetting news

We've all been released- then Bro gets the nasty protozoa disease, just when we discover that D and G are heading overseas and leaving us with the strangers who came fora cup of tea the other day.  Nice people though,Carole and Stephan,housesitters. They are from WA.They looked after Broey and he got really well.  Then little Merinda,didn't come in for
her morning munchies, something odd, we haven't seen her since. We are all really worried. Next Broey missing a few days later.  Carole andStephan went searching and found his little headless body down by the dam.  Everyone was reallydistressed  and Carole had to email D and G to tell them the sad news.
More awful news, Mate, the third in the trio,has stressedso much he has contracted coccidiosis. Mate probably won't survive!  All our humanfriends are very concerned.

Changes in attitude,

Lots of action 'round here lately, something seems to be happening, we had visitors we've never seen before.  We were all scared, thought it was stranger danger. The people stayed and had a cuppa on the deck, no-one gave us any titbits, but sooky Merinda got to sit on D's lap for a while.
Everyone is released now.  But we've all had ringworms on our noses, and the treatment hasn't been fun.  Betadine spray and Caneston cream two or three times a day.  BUT... it's working, and we get to drink a bottle of wamberoo milk. Yum...