How long is a piece of string? Who knows. How long is the wait at the Turkish border...to this question we now know the answer, it is around 6 hours. But with this in mind we had prepared some sarnies for lunch and have a Thermos for the ever important tea so all was not lost. Cards were played, embassies and the head office were contacted and we passed into Turkey and drove to Istanbul a little later than planned.
After a free city tour due to a change in bridge signs we parked up after some more masterful driving by Jim. The guys and gals, whose patience at the border was fantastic, sprang into action and bags were unpacked and we were nested up in no time. Istanbul is a true marvel with some breathtaking sights. The Aya Sophia, church cum mosque cum museum the leading light followed by the palace, cisterns and blue mosque, not to mention the bazaars, markets...the list is endless.
As I write the guys are busy sightseeing and generally relaxing. As the pace of the trip relaxes and we have a good amount of time some of the guys have taken advantage of this and have set off for Gallipoli. A long day but sure to be a very moving one as they will visit all the war memorials and learn of the follies of war and the courage of the human spirit. So all is good...however our run of sun, sun, sun has finally come to an end with what can only be described as a deluge yesterday...the sky is still threatening and there is a real chill in the air.
A few more days here then it is onto the flintstonesque Goreme where we will sleep in caves and visit under-ground cities, go ballooning and get ready for the bushcamping as we make our way ever further east.
So what of rallies I hear you ask...well as we waited at the border we saw loads of German classic cars drive through, who were as it turned out all also making for Istanbul and a reception party with the mayor, reminding us that Istanbul is still the gateway to the East and adventure..we are going the right way!
Right, will try and get some group photos up when the sun comes back up but in the meantime here are some of the rally cars, the ladies relaxing at the hostel and Calypso snuggled up next to the Aya Sofia....yep that is how central we are! OK, I feel a snooze is in order.
After a free city tour due to a change in bridge signs we parked up after some more masterful driving by Jim. The guys and gals, whose patience at the border was fantastic, sprang into action and bags were unpacked and we were nested up in no time. Istanbul is a true marvel with some breathtaking sights. The Aya Sophia, church cum mosque cum museum the leading light followed by the palace, cisterns and blue mosque, not to mention the bazaars, markets...the list is endless.
As I write the guys are busy sightseeing and generally relaxing. As the pace of the trip relaxes and we have a good amount of time some of the guys have taken advantage of this and have set off for Gallipoli. A long day but sure to be a very moving one as they will visit all the war memorials and learn of the follies of war and the courage of the human spirit. So all is good...however our run of sun, sun, sun has finally come to an end with what can only be described as a deluge yesterday...the sky is still threatening and there is a real chill in the air.
A few more days here then it is onto the flintstonesque Goreme where we will sleep in caves and visit under-ground cities, go ballooning and get ready for the bushcamping as we make our way ever further east.
So what of rallies I hear you ask...well as we waited at the border we saw loads of German classic cars drive through, who were as it turned out all also making for Istanbul and a reception party with the mayor, reminding us that Istanbul is still the gateway to the East and adventure..we are going the right way!
Right, will try and get some group photos up when the sun comes back up but in the meantime here are some of the rally cars, the ladies relaxing at the hostel and Calypso snuggled up next to the Aya Sofia....yep that is how central we are! OK, I feel a snooze is in order.
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