Final Days

Picked up Dubai hotel at 6.15am,  through usual airport procedures quickly; flight delayed two and a half hours due to changing fuel pump. 14 hour flight wasn't too bad, watched movies and listened to music.  Barb met us at Sydney, home to her place for cuppa. Viti was down for the weekend from Brisbane; it was good to see them both. Ian showered and slept all afternoon,  Loma only slept 2 hours. We had a nice home cooked meal. Barbara and Ian watched NZ play Australia in rugby league.  Sunday morning caught train, then ferry over to Mossman Rowers Club for brunch with friends, eight. Afterwards Tim drove us around old stomping grounds in the Eastern Suburbs.  Train from Edgecliff back to Barbs home. Gin and tonic, then light dinner.  Got bags ready, Viti also as she was returning to Brisbane. Farewell coffee at airport; pleasant flight home.  Jeff and Simon  met us at the airport.  We were surprised our cat Phoebe was still alive and looking well. Kath and Blu invited us for dinner.  Our son Simon took good care of everything on the home front while we were away and our neighbour's were excellent in supporting him.

In summary it was a momentus journey and we are still coming to terms with it being over. People ask us about the Camino, it is hard to quantify but we want to try to  live a simpler life.  The main thing is we arrived home safely without any major incidents.  The Camino will stay with us forever.

Tour of Dubai City

Breakfast in hotel, tour guide collected us at 8am. He took us to meeting point where we boarded a coach. Drove through The Palm. Neither of us particularly liked it; opulence at it's ugliest. Spent nearly an hour at Atlantis Hotel Tourist Resort which included the most amazing aquarium.  One of the divers was Rebecca from NZ.  Monorail back through The Palm to connect with the coach. Drove around the marina, high rise buildings, lots of new development before going to the world's tallest building.  We opted out going up in the rapid elevator.  Walked briefly around Dubai Mall before catching Metro back to hotel. Packed bags before going out for meal. Big flight tomorrow so another early night. We did not like this city, no history, based purely on wealth and the building designs (apartments mainly) left us cold. Needless to say we won't be in a hurry to return.

Jordan to Dubai

Had breakfast with Josemi,  taxi to the airport at 4.30am for 8am flight.  We were met at the airport by tour guide, in our room by 12.30pm.  Temperature today 37 degrees!  Picked up at 3pm for Sundowner Dune Desert Safari. An hour out of the city into the desert.  Tour included falcon display, wheelies through the dunes to a Bedouin style camp. We had a ride on a camel then Arabic style buffet dinner with unlimited beer and wine.  Evening finished with belly dance performance.  Back in hotel room 10.30pm.

Jerusalem to Amman

We are doing this again as the blog we did wouldn't publish.
Left hotel at 8.30am through the Jaffa Gate,  followed the wall of the Old City to Damascus Gate where we caught a minibus to the border.  As there were fewer people we passed through immigration and customs quickly.  Shared a taxi into Amman with 2 Italians.  Knocked on Art and Josemi's door at 11.30am.  Cup of tea and an interesting chat with Art before having a rest. Packed our bags. At 5.30pm we walked with Art to the restaurant to meet Josemi for dinner.
Walked home, early night.

Dome of the Rock

In this area you were not to show any signs of affection.  This was at Temple Mount.

Jerusalem Day 2

Did a 4 hour walking tour called Holy City Tour, the guide Ryan, was so knowledgeable.  Things we saw were: King Davids tomb, room of the last supper, Temple Mount,  Dome of the rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Western Wailing Wall and Mount Zion and the Zion Gate. Visited the Armenian Convent by ourselves.
We were both exhausted after taking in so much.  Ryan's historic commentary of Jerusalem kept us interested for the whole 4 hours.

Jerusalem Day 1

Taxi to the border which opened at 8am.  It took us 2 hours to get through to Israel, then minibus to Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem.  Wandered through the markets and narrow laneways of the Christian Quarter.  The shopkeepers were very pushy and tried very hard to get us to go into their shops.  Checked into hotel at noon. Bite to eat with local beer. At 2pm we went on a walking tour until 4.30pm.  We saw the main highlights;  the guide was university educated in tourism. We visited the church of the Holy Sepulchre which  the Crusaders built; inside is the grotto where Christ's body was placed after his death.  Also is the spot where the cross stood where he was crucified.  Photos self explanatory.  Lebanese food for dinner. It has been raining today, quite heavy at times.

Relaxing day

Slept in until 8.30am.  I a n's eyes were much improved after Art's homeopathic medication. We did 2 loads of washing and had a very relaxing morning.  We felt at home in Josemi and Art's apartment.  At 1pm Art drove us to the Diplomatic Bazaar where Josemi was working on the Brazilian stand. We had lunch together,  a beautiful lamb and rice dish from Tunisia.  Walked around all the stalls looking at handicrafts from all around the world, very interesting.  Back to the apartment.  At 7pm we drove to a restaurant to have dinner with Ambassador Renate,  Gabriella and Bruno.  Art selected the dishes which were all delicious.  It was good catching up with the Ambassador,  and we had some interesting conversation, mainly about her time in Wellington.

Istanbul to Aaman

Good sleep in after the long day yesterday.  Another beautiful breakfast,  Ian's eyes playing up, we need a days rest. Packed bags, transport picked us up midday for the airport.  The traffic was horrendous.  Flight left on time, 2.30pm,  except we were half an hour waiting to take off.  We counted the planes in line waiting, at least 20. Two hour flight; Art was waiting for us, it was good to see him. Josemi was at home when we arrived there and it was wonderful to see her, she looks very well. We had a lovely evening talking over dinner. Art gave Ian some Homeopathic tablets for his eyes.

Photo's of Turkish Memorials

We found these interesting.

Galipoli - 17 hours return

Bus picked us up at 6.30am, 20 Australians and 6 kiwis, 350kms drive to our lunch break at noon. Tour of the battlefields started at 1pm.  The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable,  he was turkish but he concentrated on the ANZAC campaigns.  There was a series of errors on 25 April 1915 which stopped them from achieving their goals.  The impression we got from the guide was that the turks were defending their homeland, and did it at tremendous cost of life to them. We felt very somber looking at all the plaques of the young ANZACS who died fighting in a confined area. We felt very sad but thankful we were able to visit where our country's came to nationhood.  The four and a half hour drive back was very tiring. Bought some baklava to have with a cup of tea before bed.

Tour of Istanbul

Breakfast on the garden roof of the hotel.  This was very similar to the breakfasts we experienced in the hotels in South America last year. Tour guide, Tulip,  picked us up; a group of 10, all Anzac's.  The tour was for 9 hours, Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya,  Blue Mosque,  Lunch, Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar (Kapah Carsi). Our heads were spinning  from the grandeur of architecture and wealth of the Sultans.  Back to hotel after 6pm, bought some baklava which we enjoyed with a cup of tea.  Istanbul is amazing,  the history of the different cultures that have conquered and settled from time immemorial.  The Crusaders were the exception,  they plundered the city.  We have another big day tomorrow.

A message for Seaneinn

Is it possible for you to send your email address to ian.loma236@gmail.com.

Madrid to Istanbul

Left hotel at 7am,  used metro to get to the airport.  Flight half an hour late so arrived in Istanbul approximately 4pm. We were collected at the airport and driven to the hotel which is situated in the old quarter.  Quick bite to eat,  couldn't find a restaurant that sold beer, but they do exist.  Realised after eating that there was a mosque across the road. Our hotel is very comfortable.

Madrid

After coffee and tostades caught Metro to Sol station in the heart of the historic area.  Got on the Hop On, Hop Off city of Madrid tour. Commentary was in English;  we were both amazed how old some of the buildings are.  Tour was approximately one and a half hours,  time for paella, beer and a vino tinto. Last minute shopping then walked around for a couple of hours looking at the monuments and historic buildings. Metro back to hotel,  spent some time rearranging our luggage. A 40 minute walk, had a snack then back to hotel. When we leave Spain tomorrow after 44 days it will be quite sad for us.  We have enjoyed the country, the lovely people and the experience of the Camino.