First days on boat (days 1 - 3)

Second day in Istanbul (Monday) we woke up to the call to pray at about 10 to 6am, which was pretty surreal. After breakfast we went to the Istanbul Golf Club where Richard played 9 holes of golf moderately well (only lost one ball). This photo is looking back towards the club house. Caddie didn't speak English, but he was still able to express his amazement at Richards golfing ability (or not at some points). Had nice 100ml standard JD's after the game, which cost as much as the taxi ride to get there, but was well worth it.

We saw this guy on the street selling lemonade out of a giant teapot on his back. It was very nice and refreshing drink, and he was more than happy to pose for a picture.

We checked out of our hotel, and with our packs on our backs we walked down the hill to the boat. Was probably only a 15 minute walk, but we were very glad to get there. We got on the boat a bit after midday, but the rooms weren't ready until 1.30pm, so we had a good wander around and had a lovely lunch. (There is food available all the time!)

This is going to our first night dinner. Really awesome dinning room. There are two sittings one at 6pm and one at 8.30pm. We're in the first one (because I get hungary at 6!!) We have two great hosts serving us Lenuta (a lady from Romania) and Oleora (a guy from Nigeria/ Brazil). They just keep bringing us food, and nothing is too much trouble. We're seated at a table for 6, but so far we've only met two of the others, they are from Phillipines and have a number of motorbike outlets in Manilla.

Here we are leaving port. Richard got called Mr Jack a few times. There is a "cocktail of the day" every day, and we have been getting into the habit of starting the day with this. Yesterday was a sparkling wine with port, today is malibu bay breeze. Yum. Looking forward to Lynchburg lemonade on day 5, that might be a schooner bay day.

Here's the sunrise for day 3. We are travelling directly east towards it, heading to Kusadasi which is on the coast of Turkey. We are going on a 7 hour day trip to Ephasus, (it's not all beer and skittles). Internet on the boat costs US65 cents per minute, so we'd better log out now. Will probably not update this everyday.

PS the weather is absolutely fantastic!! It has been a bit breezey, but the sun has been out. Todays high is predicted to be 29!! Just lovely.