Warwick's Birthday

Another birthday for Warwick, but he hasn't changed his opinion of them. After going through another "What would you like to do on your birthday.......nothing" routine we (when I say we I mean me) settled for a nice home cooked meal, a bottle of wine and Warwick's favourite from Brunetti's, chocolate eclaires. They turned out to be one of Oscar's favourites as well, not that Warwick was prepared to share.

Cats at play

After a week of rainy overcast days the weather finally fined up this weekend and the cats were in a playful mood, actually it was more Oscar playing while Foo watched on in disgust.

The Two Sa(s)cha's go to the Tulip Farm

Sascha, Noah and I headed to the Dandenong's to Tesselar's Tulip Festival where I had my fill of tulips, which just happen to be my favourite flower (thought I'd add that just in case). As you can see it was a little cool on the day and I may have been a little premature in my prediction that Spring had came early to Melbourne.

Noah was very well behaved and I was even required to hold him at one stage, and no he didn't cry (and neither did I).

Getting him into his car seat was a bit of a fight but once he was in all was ok

Happy Birthday Voula

We celebrated Voula's (aka bj - boss junior or as we prefer big jugs) birthday this week in style with ballons.....

.....cake.....

.....and lunch at a high quality family restaurant

Dr Dopey visits Istanbul

Brought out the suitcase (cat wasn't happy, she knows what the suitcase means), tried to pack lightly this time, kicked the cat off the suitcase, drove to airport and boarded our first flight to Sydney.

During our transfer from the domestic to international terminal at Sydney airport we caught a glimpse of George Bush's plane Airforce One, here for the APEC summit. We heard about the Chaser's incident at his Sydney hotel while at Heathrow (it was all over the news in London).

Sam and I then boarded our next flight to London for our first experience of British Airways business class. The seats were ok and we had lots of leg room but the food was pretty average (that is chicken next to the broccoli) and the service wasn't much better - our Irish flight attendent asked us not to be too demanding on her as she had had a big night and was recovering from a hang over. We also had a crazy lady upstairs with us, but I missed most of her antics as I was asleep (see Sam's blog for more details).

After arriving in London we had a few hours to kill in the first class lounge before boarding our flight to Istanbul.

Yes its a hard life traveling for work, but it really is when you travel 35 hours to get to your first destination only to find your luggage hasn't arrived with you (again) and they have no idea where it is........

Dr Dopey visits Istanbul (Day 2)

September 8, 2007


Day 2 - New day, same clothes

Woke to the sound of the morning prayer call at 5:30 am. Got up had a shower and put my only set of casual clothes back on again, which don't feel any cleaner after being aired out overnight. Hotel room has shampoo but no conditioner so give up on the idea of washing my hair and instead decide that my hair is in fact long enough now to fit into a ponytail (not). It turns out I actually smell better than the 50 thousand Turkish men Sam and I get squashed between while on the tram from our hotel to the old part of the city, even with my lack of deoderant (packed that too).

We get off the tram at Sultanahmet, right in the heart of the old city and was amazed by the blue mosque, outside and in. Sam was sporting some "I'm 4 months pregnant cleavage" so was given a lovely aqua shawl to cover up. Fortunately I don't have that particular problem so was able to show off my 3 day old travelling clothes instead. Inside, the domed rooves of the mosque are covered in beautifully painted geometric designs and the walls with painted tiles.

After the Blue Mosque it was time to do head towards the Grand Bazaar, which is an array of narrow covered alley ways full of stalls selling carpets, glass lanterns, fabrics, gold, painted plates and tiles, and more. Didn't buy anything....yet.

After the Grand Bazaar, we got a little lost walking through the streets of the old city but ended up at the Egyptian spice bazaar, where you can buy a wide range of spices (of course), teas, different types of turkish delight, nougat, stuffed dates and for all the men out there........

.....our favourite, Naturel Turkish Viagra

Although who said Viagra was only for men (more about this later)

Dr Dopey visits Istanbul (Day 3 & 4)

September 9, 2007

Day 3 - New day, no luggage

Woke to the sound of the morning prayer call at 5:30 am. Got up had a shower, washed hair thanks to Sam donating her shampoo and conditioner and put my lovely clean work clothes on with a pair of clean socks (thanks Sam) and a pair of Sam's shoes. Spent a frustrating day working followed by a tedious dinner where we sampled some traditional Turkish food

Sam was given a tablecloth to wear - no it wasn't to cover up her pregnancy cleavage, it was cold outside

When we got back to the hotel I found my suitcase waiting for me! Yea for me!

Day 4 - New day, fresh clothes

Woke to the sound of the morning prayer call at 5:30 am. Got up, usual drill - shower, eat breakfast, go to work. On the way back to the hotel in the evening the traffic was terrible so Sam, Yoel and I decide to ditch the taxi and find our way by public transport following the directions of our Turkish speaking taxi driver, who wouldn't let me go until I could repeat to him "Fenicular, another Turkish word beginning with C or K followed by his arm motioning to go over a bridge". No problem says Yoel, who is from Isreal and therefore an expert in all things relating to the Middle East, or so we thought (it is his first visit to Istanbul).

Needless to say we had some difficulty finding the fenicular, ended up eating at a McDonalds along the way and stumbled across a long paved street mall (like Bourke St Mall) lined with shops and filled with people.

(carved watermelon)

An hour later we end up completely lost and back in a taxi to our hotel with Sam and I trying to tak pic's of the Blue Mosque while our crazy taxi driver speeds through the city darting past cars and pedestrians.