Italy - Alberobello, Sorento, Positano, Amalfi & Ravello

Fishing boats with men mending nets at Sorrento - peaceful spot. Three childen were playing in black sand - they did not seem to mind. Tourists on sun beds on jetties.

Stuffed large calamari - fantastic. - had to remove the rocket first however,

Amalfi

Positano

Even people in trullis have washing.

Houses built in 16th century which could be easily demolished by removing the centre stone to avoid paying tax. The town is Alberobello.

Italy

We are now in Sorrento - incredibly busy, beautiful and absolutely crowded. I am examing all my views on being a tourist.
We went for drive along Almalfi coast, visited Positano - for 45 minutes and took 40 minutes to walk along road to find where bus had parked. Then Amalfi and Ravello. Beautiful but tourists, and heaps of junks in shops - the same junk.

Today we went to Capri - again very beautiful but very crowded and this time designer clothes shops.

Last night I found by accident a "slow" food taverna - only food of this region, met 2 couples who had returned after the previous night and it is recommended in books. Wonderful buffalo mozzaella - nothing like any of same name I had tasted before.

Hotel does not have internet or provide an iron - lucky my clothes are not ironed anyway.

Peloponense

We watched some ships go through the Canal of Corinth while we ate lunch. Not as narrow as it looked.

Trip to the Islands

We visited Porus, Hydra and Aegina.

Athens

Police preparing for general strike.

Guard at National Parliament

Greece - Monasteries in the sky!

How would these monasteries have ever been built?

Seven remain of the original 23 built.
Even the garden soil would have had to have been transported up here and the road only went in during the last 50 years.

Istanbul - Friday

Great city. Tomorrow we go to Greece but unfortunately the trains are not runnning due to track work - we think - so now it is a 9 hour bus ride.

But first s trip on the Bosphorus.

Istanbul

I love Istanbul and would enjoy more time here just to wander.

Arrived without hassle except for toothpaste being confiscated by airport security in Sydney because it was 110 gms.

I have most compatible room mate, lovely guide, good food, and fascinating street life.

Spice market was unbelievable. Lots of pics which will go on when I have time.