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...

Ali (Silver Streak)

Bro in his favourite "pouch"

Pipi one of our newbies red necked wallaby

Here are some of the babies who have just been let into the large pre-release pen

Leaf tailed gecko who lives near the deck