Favourite photos from the Pilgrimage

Here are some favourite photos from our Pilgrimage. I hope you enjoy viewing them.

A morning's cruise

While waitiıng for our travelling companions to return we decided to take a morniıng tour. İt ended up basıcally being just a cruise and a visit to the Spice Market. Amazing to see so many varieties and colours of spices and teas under one roof. We then boarded a private boat for a cruise down the Bosphorus Sea. The cruise takes one between the two continents of Europe and Asia. There's also a brıdge not unlike the Golden Gate brıdge ın San Fransısco. There were many places of interest along the way includıng very expensive real estate where the guide said houses sell anywhere between 1 and 20 million dollars. We had a bit of drama when a smaller craft nearly collided with our boat. Quite a loud expressive altercation took place between the two skippers! One didn't have to know the language to understand that they were probably swearing at each other!!! Even though it rained most of the time we were still able to take photos so hopefully we can now post some on the site. That' Paul's job!! This ıs probably our last post as we set off for home tomorrow although according to the Hotel we are supposed to go today! It' been a bit stressful trying to get through that we are part of the group coming back today. We've been hassled since 10pm last night by a Travel Agency here who ınsist we have to pay more money and also for a transfer to the Airport thıs afternoon. Street scene on our way to shoppıng center

Spıce market stall

The brıdge that connects Asıa wıth Europe

Just crusıng the Bosphorus

The boat that nearly crashed us

A fısherman and hıs seagull frıend

Expensıve real estate

Here's one for Marc

A day in Istanbul

We've had a big day today. No photos!! We got directions to a big shopping mall that required us taking 2 trams and a transfer to the underground metro. From there it was a lengthy walk in quite hot sun to get to it. However it was worth it in the end. We spent about four hours there but when we went to leave it was absolutely pouring down!! We waited a while and then made our way out when it looked like a break in the rain. Bad mistake! A thunder storm broke. We managed to flag down a taxi and the ride back to the hotel was an experience in itself!! And we thought Rome was crazy!!! We've just had another walk back to the bazaar as it's fine again. Tomorrow we're taking a half day local tour. The others fly back tomorrow from Ephesus and 9 of us leave on Thursday to come home. Happy birthday Karen. I thought I had your email address and tried to remember it. As I write this your day is well over. It's 7.10pm here and we're 9 hours behind you.

Istanbul... finally

Marie's turn to write! We're now on our own ın this very vibrant city. The rest of the group left a short time ago to go to Ephusus. We opted to stay here in Instanbul for the couple of days they are away. We've done a couple of main attractıons wıth the group, namely the Sophıa Haggia and Blue Mosques. Quite incredible really and so obviously very dıfferent to our Christian churches. We've just come from the Grand Bazzaar which is an exğerience in itself. Thousands of shops and traders hassling you on every twist and turn. Sandy would be ın shoe heaven. An entire street of just shoe shops! Our hotel is very close to everything but honestly it's like Fawlty Towers. A family run establişhment where they want to help you all the time. We've nicknamed one of the sons Manwel. When you see hıs photo you'll understand why!!! We're ın an ınternet cafe doing this so we hope we can now upload some photos. thıs ıs a photo of Manuel

Insıde the Grand bazzaar

Shoes, glorıous shoes!!

Spıces

The Blue Mosque

Last day in Israel

Hello again, This is our last day in Israel before we head across the shores to Istanbul tomorrow morning. It's only just 2 hours flight away. We have to get up at 5 am to catch the bus to Tel Aviv airport. The temperature yesterday at the Dead Sea in the sunshine was 40+C. And 34C in the shade. Today we saw some more holy places in Jersualem and Emasus. Add then battled our way through the Muslim crowds at the market on our way to lunch. Quite an experience! The afternoon was spent packing and resting. Today is Sabbat day where the Jews do no work. Interestingly, in the dining rooms there was no toaster or any electrical appliance that requires manual labour to work it. They really take the sabbath seriously and do no work. We have seen many Jews all dressed up walking someplace probably to church. Many different headwear from the plain skull caps to the russian bear hats. Hopefully we'll find a full service internet cafe in Istanbul so we can upload photos. Ciao, Paul and Marie

The Dead Sea

Hello again, Today we went to Masala and Quatram (not sure I've got the spelling right here). Took heaps of photos but have no easy means of uploading. I'm using the slot machine internet in the hotel. Sorry can show you all these places. But anyways we went to the Dead Sea and Marie went for a float and mudded up (that is, covered herself in Dead Sea mud) while I waddled away in the shallow waters. The Dead Sea is 20% salt. The Pacific Ocean is 3% salt. So you can imagine how much you float in such a brine. Get pickled if you swallow any. Tonight we are going to Notra Dame church which I'm told is quite spectacular. Better go! Ciao, Paul and Marie

A day in Bethlehem

We've had the most perfect day today in Bethlehem. It's a very beautiful place. We started out this morning at Shepherd's Field and had Mass in a little cave. From there we went to the Church of the Nativity nad queded up with a million others to go underground to the supposed exact place of the Manger. It was an exercise in patience but was well worth it. We then went off to a local shop for a spot of retail therapy before a quick lunch break. The rest of the day was spent at Ein Kareen which involved a climb of about a 100 steps to get to the top where we were rewarded with magnificent views and two remarkable churches. I wish we could post some photos from here as I would put up the Starbucks one I took today - except that here it's called Stars & Bucks. We hope to be able to get to an internet cafe once we go to Istanbul on Saturday. Tomorrow we're off to the Dead Sea/