OK... FINALLY a good Internet connection! So first some thoughts on Greece... Love it! Reminds me of my extended family :) Greeks sure know how to have a great time! I'm not sure though, if anyone actually works in this country... during the day, all the cafes, restaurants are always full, and people in the streets shopping. The afternoon is for siesta - we forgot about this and mistakenly go for walks during this little break to get a bite to eat - slim pickings! The one thing that strikes me is the amount of smoking that goes on! Everyone here smokes, and you can't get away from it. In restaurants, hotels, and hospitals - you name it! You go out to a restaurant or cafe, and the first thing they bring you is an ashtray. ... read more

OK I'm done my bitching from yesterday - As you might have been able to tell, yes I was pretty grumpy. After a nice dinner (actually the food was not too great but I didn't care) and a long sleep - I am MUCH happier today. We got up this morning around 6 and the wind was just a howling. Thankfully, Barry decided it was a good idea to stay put. It is actually probably borderline dangerous winds. So I'm glad about being able to spend another day here. Alexandroupolis is a cute little city situated on the Aegean Coast, about 20 or so Km from the Turkish border in a region called Thrace. An interesting region at that – historically it has been a big melting pot of Greeks, Turks, nomadic (gypsy-like) tribes and Slavic ... read more

Sorry for the late update – Hotel didn’t have Wi-fi – actually they did, but no one seemed to know the password. We left Marmarereglesi after a late start and some breakfast… I do love sleeping in! The day started off pretty good – we had the first 20 K knocked off in about an hour and it looked as though we would have a good tail wind for the remainder of the day… We hit our first big town, Tekirdag, and the hills started. Hill after Hill, warning signs for trucks – “Steep Hill 7%grade 2800M” F@$k!!!!!! There is nothing more disheartening, that finishing a 2800m climb, and seeing another 700M to go. The downhill portion was of course a bit of payback, but it didn’t even seem enough. The tailwind didn’t help, except that ... read more

After a disappointing dinner, Barry and I decided to experience a Turkish Bath... We went to one of the most famous baths in Istanbul, The Cemberlitas Hamami, built by architect Sinan in 1584. It is one of the most important works of the 16th century Ottoman architecture. As I have never experienced a Turkish bath before - I had no idea of what to expect... Barry had apparently visited one in Damascus years ago so was familiar, I however, was not. We signed up for the "luxury package" and Barry went off to the men's section, and I the women's. I was led to a locker room, and given a towel and slippers. I then was escorted into a huge, domed steam room, totally clad in white marble. The "attendant" then proceeded to whip off my ... read more

Well today was an interesting day.... Started out pretty normal... Sunny and hot today - good change from yesterday :) we started off at the Blue Mosque, although we just stayed on the grounds.. We are going to go back later when we are dressed more appropriately... in order to enter a mosque, arms and legs must be completely covered, and women must wear a headscarf. The headscarves were available at the entrance, however we were both wearing shorts, so we decided we would come back later. Quite a spectacular building - can't wait to see it inside! Over across the street to Aya Sophia - built in 537 AD by Justinian I as a Christian Basilica - the forth largest in the world I might add... the building has seen several additions, conversions and restorations ... read more