Page 8 of Vic and Kev Travel Blog Posts


Europe » Italy » Liguria » Levanto April 18th 2017

A rest day after travelling all day yesterday to get here. From the Courtyard Hotel near Gatwick we walked to the airport, checked in, went to the lounge for breakfast and got on the plane. Sorry folks said the captain over the intercom French air traffic control have advised we have to wait here for an hour before we can fly over their space. We are talking to them and hopefully the wait won't be that long. Thankfully, we arrived in Pisa 15 minutes late thanks to a shortened delay and a tail wind. Our train to Levanto would arrive in 2 hours. We spent this time people watching in the square outside the train station and sipping a beer at a cafe. The train was on time and we set off through the countryside including ... read more
Poppy growing wild. Must be nearly Anzac Day
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House above the tunnel

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Uluru March 21st 2017

We decided on a quick trip to Uluru to celebrate Kevin's birthday. He had never been there and I had not been since I was in Year 12 - a lifetime ago. We booked a package deal that included accommodation at Sails in the Desert, a Field of Lights tour and the Sounds of Silence dinner. We left behind the impending rain in Canberra and arrived in Uluru via Melbourne to warmth and sunshine and our first view of the rock from the air. Collected by bus and taken to the hotel. Too early for check-in so left our bags and decided on a quick walk to the town square where we discovered a supermarket, post office, tour booking office, souvenir shops and a few eateries. All very convenient. We decided to have lunch to fill ... read more
Another shot from the air
Filed of Lights installation
Field of lights installation

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini »  Ia July 19th 2016

Aŕrived into the caldera of Santorini this morning and were taken ashore by local tender. We're decide to buy a ticket which combined a speedboat ride, bus to Ia, bus to Fira and cable car ride back. Great value at €20 each. We walked around , melting in the heat looking at the beautiful blue and white buildings that Santorini is famous for. Spectacular views. Had a nice cold beer and used the Wi-Fi and then boarded the bus to Fira and caught the cable car down. We passed on the donkey ride that is available t o either take you up or down from the port. Back to the boat for lunch and a snooze. We both agreed that we would love to return one day as Santorini had a great feel to it.... read more
Early morning view from the boat
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Middle East » Turkey » Aegean » Ephesus July 18th 2016

We were met today by our guide Ali from the Best of Ephesus tours. Our first stop was to be a visit to the Temple of the Virgin Mary where it is believed that John the Baptist bought Mary to live the rest of her life following the crucifixion. It is a small house and has been renovated. After leaving here we drove to Ephesus where we spent the next two hours walking through this amazing site in 40 degree heat. Water, hat and sunscreen were the order of the day. The excavations were amazing and the site is huge. The great theatre which seated 25000 people is often used today for concerts. Elton John has played there. The Celsus library - amazing. There was room here for 12000 scrolls. They were stored in the niches ... read more
The great theatre
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Oldest ever advertising?

Europe » Greece » North Aegean » Lesbos » Mytilene July 17th 2016

We did our own thing today and set off for the fortress overlooking the city of Mytilini. It covers an area of 20 hectares. The site was inhabited from antiquity starting with Justinian (6th c.BC). Its current form is the work of the Gattelusi and Ottoman rulers. Within the fortress there was a rulers residence, ammunition depot, a Christian church, and two mosques, a military hospital, a large cistern ane other buildings. It was a very interesting site with a great view over the city. It was also very hot. After walking around for a couple of hours we headed towards the waterfront for something to eat and a cold beer. We found a nice restaurant where there were the fewest smokers.... read more
Fortress overlooking Mytilini
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Payment box with guard dogs underneath

Africa » Morocco July 13th 2016

After many false starts as to what to do with our spare days we decided on Morocco. We booked a tour which would give us a private driver and guides in each city. We flew from London to CASABLANCA. A rather hair raising drive from the airport to our hotel. We were to learn that one of the things the French gave to Morocco was their road system. Major intersections are like driving around l'arc d'triomphe. There are rules but they are flexible. The first sight that we were greeted with appeared to be a Christmas tree but instead we were told it was just a co-incidence as Morocco's colours are red and green and so the decorations just looked Christmas- like. Picked up by our driver Karim at 9 o'clock the following morning. Very quiet ... read more
Hassan II Mosque
Hassan II Mosque
Maccas in Casablanca

Europe » Greece July 2nd 2016

We spent a week in Argostoli one lunchtime. When we left the boat it was blowing a gale but hot. We walked into town and the museum was closed. There were lots of souvenir stores and Kevin bought a pair of RayBans for €8. Good price we thought. We had the usual beer and free wifi and then made our way back to the boat. On the pier a gust of wind blew my boarding pass into the water but my licence was saved a fleet footed fellow passenger who stood on it. I was able to convince the checkin guy of my bona fides and went to the admin desk and got a new card. Another Aussie/Kiwi get together with the Captain tonight. 21 June. At sea today and dinner the Pinnacle tonight. Absolutely delicious. ... read more
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Near where I lost my pass
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Middle East » Turkey » Marmara June 16th 2016

Although under warnings from the government not to travel to Turkey we set off this morning to meet our tour guide Evarim. We travelled by tram into town from the port. She pointed out that as we crossed the river that the best and cheapest seafood restaurants could be found under the bridge. First stop - the Hippodrome. The ancient site of chariot races. There is very little left of the once centre of sporting and social life in Constantinople. The u shaped track was 450 metres long and 130 metres wide. At one time there were many statues and columns in the middle as well as 4 copper horses. When Constaninople was defeated in the fourth crusade the hippodrome was looted and the 4 horses were taken to St Mark's square in Venice. There remains ... read more
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Carpet in the blue mosque
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Europe » Greece » Attica » Piraeus June 14th 2016

We split up today. Kevin stayed Round Piraeus and I took a Hop on Hop Off bus tour of Athens. It was good to have a look around having last been in Athens in 1979. It was disappointing to see graffiti everywhere and the scaffolding around the Parthenon. So glad that I saw it all those years ago. I got off and had a walk around the markets. Bought some delicious pistachios and then went into the fish market. Pleased to note that it did not smell. Fresh produce everywhere. The displays by the vendors were interesting with the fish bent in the middle and displayed "like soldiers" as one of the vendors explained to me. Aftr a walk around the surroundings streets I got back on the bus and eventually the boat. Piraeus. Kevin headed ... read more
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Acropolis and Parthenon

Europe » Greece » Pelopennese » Nafplion June 13th 2016

A tender today because of the small harbour and today we were on one of the large tours. A 25 minute bus ride to Mycanae with another commentary on ancient Greece and mythology. The Mycenaen Acropolis 1400 BC overlooks the Argive plain. The site was excavated by Schilemann in 1874. The main entrance to the citadel is the Lion gate which is 12 metres high and 5.5 metres thick. It was built in the period 1350-1200 BC. The site gives an indication of the life and work of the Myceneans including the family of Agamemnon Who provided material for the Homeric poems. Great views of the olive trees and the plains. We then stopped at the Treasury of Artemis - the best preserved example of a tholos tomb (1250) BC. Next stop Palamidi Castle. A fortress ... read more
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Entry to Treasury of Atreus
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