3 September Naples - Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri

What a day.....to finally see Pompeii. This was one of the " must see" on our list and while we only spent a couple of hours there our guide was so good and imparted so much information. Walking through the streets you are looking all over the place to take it all in. 

Next stop was Sorrento for lunch - very busy and did nt get to see much of it. We walked down ( very steep and a lot of steps to the bottom) to the port to catch the hydrofoil to Capri

Capri you see by going up in the ferricular - such great views.

We were a bit disappointed in Capri, we found it pretty but very expensive - perhaps it was at the end of a very long day and perhaps you need to stay there. We did however have a spritz before leaving - at 3 times the price we had usually paid for it.

I-2 September Anzac Cove and sea days

Peter had been looking forward to experiencing Anzac Cove - albeit from the deck of the ship. We had decided we would get up for the dawn service and were not disappointed with the sun rise over Gallipoli. Very moving to be so close to that part of our history.

The ships services was carried out and it was good to see that many others had made the effort. 

30 - 31 August Mykonos and Istanbull

Irene had been looking forward to Mykonos ( her Shirley Valentine moment) and it was fascinating to see the white houses with the Mykonos blue window shutters and doors - just the same as the pictures you see. The streets are so small, shops carved into the stone - such fun walking and exploring. It is only small and does not take anytime to walk to see the windmills main features of the town. While there we did manage to visit a supermarket and buy some local wine - seems to be drinkable.

Before returning to the ship, we thought we would have some lunch - calamari. Well, who should be sitting next to Peter but Bob Simpson - Doug's friend. We have since seen him a couple of times on the ship.( someone please tell Doug!)

The next day we were in for a treat - Istanbul.

We took a guided tour that visited the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace and Haram and St Sofia plus we were shown a demonstration of hand making the carpets - mind blowing the dexterity and skilfulness of these people.

Such history and so much to take in - from the 22,000 Izmire blue tiles ( in 33 shades of blue), at the mosque, to the two gold candlesticks ( weigh 48kg each) and the sheer size of some of the diamonds and emeralds - you could only imagine the opulence from previous eras - particularly the Otterman. 

Irene was also intrigued by the number of dogs out the front of the blue mosque on the lawn - it turns out they are street dogs but are vaccinated, desexed,tagged and looked after and fed by the guards - don't think the same goes for the cats that can be seen everywhere.

Our guide had said that it would get very busy as it was a Saturday and most likely there would be around 3 million people around the Grand Bazaar area by the afternoon- we think he was right - so many people - too many. We found the Bazaar confronting so did not stay for a long time.

What also contributed to the crowd and traffic was the Korean prime minister and president of Turkey were making an appearance at St Sofia - security everywhere, such tall bodyguards  - just made the afternoon a little more interesting.

It was a long day but one very worthwhile and a day not easily described.