Today we find ourselves jumping on the tram in Sultanahmet and heading down to the ports to grab a ferry out to the Princes Island. By now we are used to the tram system - buy your token and ride. The port is at the end of the line which makes things even simpler. Getting off at the port we are confronted by a wall of people - apparently everyone else has the same idea… After all it is the weekend. ...

So after getting in pretty late last night from our two day tour down to Gallipoli and Troy, we had a pretty slow morning all tolled. After eventually getting up and going we had out sights set on one thing, and one thing only - the Grand Bazaar. Weaving our way through the streets of Sultanahmet, we headed in the general direction of the Bazaar… It’s almost as if the traders can sense your approach - must be the smell of fresh wallets in the air. The lead up to the Bazaar itself is surrounded but other smaller traders and stalls, a micro bazaar units own right. ...

So after out day in Gallipoli, our tour takes us across the narrows of the Dardanelles to Canakkale which is in the Asian side of Turkey, an where we spend the night before heading of to nearby Troy (Troya) in the morning. Troy is about a 30 minute bus ride out of Canakkle. We arrive to an overcast drizzling morning - its about now we wished we had packed our rain coats! ...

Today we are on an overnight tour that will take us down to Gallipoli (Gelibolu) and then overnight in Canakkale (on the Asian side of Turkey), and the a tour through historic Troy before heading back to Istanbul later in the evening of the second day. The trip from Istanbul down to Gallipoli took almost 5 hours on our small private tour bus - 11 people in group all up. ...

So our second full day in beautiful Istanbul has been packed with sight seeing - all the usual touristy places: The Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, The Spice Bazaar, and Taksim Square (notably we are leaving the Grand Bazaar for a later day). Up and out reasonably early this morning our hotel is well positioned only a short walk to both the Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia. Up the hill and to the Blue Mosque first. ...

So after our first day in Istanbul I can confess it has well and truly won me over. There is something about Istanbul… Something I can’t quite put my finger on… something that has defiantly drawn me in. This morning I find myself waking early - possibly due to jet lag, possibly due to the prayer calls - but I’m not complaining in the least. I headed up to the roof top terrace of our hotel to sit and watch as Istanbul slowly comes to life as the sun rises. ...

Wow, long flight overnight again. Seems like forever ago that we were checking in to our flight in KL airport. Anyway the flight was reasonably uneventful again (which in the case of air travel is actually a positive attribute). We landed in at Ataturk airport in Istanbul at about 6am this morning. Apparently the Visa fee’s have increased… Last time Laura was here the Visa cost $20 USD, they now weigh in at a more hefty $60 USD (or $45 Euro). I guess when it comes time to find more money from taxes it’s easier to get it from the visitors than upset the locals. ...

Day 1 So we arrived in Kuala Lumpur bright and early after a reasonably uneventful overnight flight from Melbourne. After navigating the necessary immigration and customs desks, we collected our bags and headed for KL city. The express train to Kuala Lumpur central station was an easy 30 minute trip. Getting ripped off by our taxi driver at the station was also “easy”. Who would have thought two sleep deprived foreign tourists who had no idea how much things should cost would have been easy targets… Must have been the sleep glazed look in our eyes. ...

So I have started to put some more thought into the content of my blog - trying to refocus back on why I originally started it - travel, stories and experiences. To that end, I have started to go back over our travels, and reminisce about the stories and experiences we have had. This has lead me to start thinking about the destinations I enjoyed the most - my Top 10, as well as putting together the wish list - my travel destination bucket list… the places I would love to see next. ...