Saturday June 26

I am sending this from VERY noisy MacDonalds WiFi in Yalta so no photos till later

Today we are in Yalta, our third port of call in Ukraine. They have all been interesting and the weather has been kind – a few showers on Thursday on our second day in Odessa but not enough to bother us much.

Yesterday in Sevastopol was really interesting. It is still home to the Russian Black Sea fleet and was closed to visitors until just a few years ago. It seemed strange to be able to tie up next to all the naval ships after so many years seclusion. We walked to the Cathedral – probably Russian orthodox and sat in on a service for a while. Two women with beautiful voices were responding in close harmony to the chants of the priest – James Carter would welcome them in his singing group. The Panorama Museum of the Crimean War is a huge continuous painting, over 220 m which goes right around the inside walls of a large circular building. It depicts the battle following the siege of Sevastopol back in 1855 – the Charge of the Light Brigade and all that. It was an horrendous time with a total of 500,000 lives lost.

We then took a local bus out to Chersonesus – the ruins of a greek town founded around 400BC. It is an extensive site right on the edge of the sea. The local people were very helpful getting us on and off the right buses even though their English is very limited and our Ukrainian and Russian non-existant.

Today we are in Yalta – a classy seaside resort for Ukrainians and Russians. It almost has the feel on one of the towns along the French riveria – a lot of French and Italian style buildings and nice shady parks and streets. Phil is a bit sluggish today so stayed onboard while Ginny and I went out for the morning. We decided to take a taxi along the coast to see Swallows Nest, a small castle built on a steep cliff overlooking the sea then back to the Livadia palace where Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin held negotiations in the last days of WW2. We chose a driver who said he would take us to both places for 19 euros. After about 10 mins driving up steep streets, he stopped for photos and when we got back in the car he told us it would 90 euros. We reminded him that he had said 19 but he disagreed. We asked to be taken back to the ship and he dropped the price to 70. We insisted on going back to the ship. Disappointed and a bit annoyed - but we then found a taxi drvier to take us to the 2 places for 20 euros. That worked out fine. He left us at the Livadia Palace and we spent an hour or so looking around and then got a local bus back to town for about 60cents.

Phil seems a bit better this afternoon – nothing serious I hope. He is just a bit dizzy and lethargic. There is a medical centre on board and I’ll take him then later if her doesn’t pick up.

More from Istanbul

In fact I am in an internet cafe in Odessa Ukraine. Had a great time exporing the city and Phil is having a bit of down time so I thought I would blog for a bit. Funny keyboard and the order of the photos is muddled but you will probably get the drift. The main thin is that we are havng a really good time. The ship is just delightful - such luxury that I feel guilty. The ports are interesting but not WOW!!!! Yesterday was Varna in Bulgaria - and tomorrow we sail to Sevastapol. But it is just so lovely relaxing and enjoying varied company and fabulous food.

This is for Kimberley - the local women wash their fleece and let in dry on the parks. By the way, Congrats on the new job!!!

We climbed this tower on Monday - the first 7 levels had a lift - great views over Istanbul fro the top. Ginny was very brave and came too.
Topkapi Palace


Spice Market



Our ship

A day at the seaside!!!


Ruins

Food glorious food.

From Istanbul

Friday morning in Istanbul - currently a balmy 26 deg on its way to 34 - I think a siesta will be in order. Great city to explore. Our small hotel is right across a narrow park from the Blue Mosque - the plus is the central location close to many of the main sights; the minus is that we are regularly called to prayer, including around 10pm and 4am. Even for people of prayer that is a bit challenging.

We are rapidly ticking off the must see places in Ginny's guide book. These will give you a taste.

The Hagia Sophia - a church built by Justinian in the 6th century which later became a mosque and is now a museum. It has a huge dome which has been an archiectural challenge over the years, partly due to the earth tremors common here. We saw a great SBS doco on it a few weeks ago that increased our interest.









Blue Mosque



Grand Bazaar



We had just finished lunch but that didn't stop us trying something else to eat.


These trendy young ladies still wear the headscarf but with denim skirts and bright tops.

A pleasant spot for our first meal.

A few interesting buildings


The dining room of our hotel is a rooftop terrace but this one must be the ultimate in rooftop dining.


These next two are the view from our rooftop dining room - Blue Mosque and hagia Sophia

I love Skype