[Gallipoli to the Greek Islands]

Istanbul (Turkey) is a modern metropolis, a mix of Europe with Islam- its exactly what people dont expect. Party to you drop, pray 5 times a day, shop in boutiques or chill out in a park on the harbor- it caters for all.

Upto Gallipoli to visit the war memorial sites that was a smaller campaign of the First World War. It demystified and placed into perspective the somewhat taller stories the Aussies and Kiwis have built from this battlefield. More stories of pointless loss of life......

Unlike Turkey, I had from lovers and friends a high expectation of the Greek Islands that was doomed to fail. It did. The big shock was the prices and the sometimes plain rude service; even Utrecht in Holland wasnt so bad. The attitude of *Why even try* when 4 million tourists come every year is so evident.

Santorini is a picture postcard island, an extinct volcanic island with steep cliffs, perched on top are those whiter than white buildings, dotted here and there are blue dome roofs of the small churches. Infact, on any scenic view one is guaranteed to find a small church, they love their churches....

To my surprise I stayed on Ios for a week, which is known for its party life. I found a small beach that could only be reached on foot, it was in a small cove and protected from the wind and mass tourism- with yellow soft sand and clear water. At night I met many travellers and I danced and drank my way to the small hours in the morning, getting up after lunch time to lay on the beach and to party again at night.....I havent danced since I started my travels, so I think I have caught up on my lost 7 months! But my body paid the price; I am now nursing the remains of the Ios flu.

The islands I visited (Santorini, Ios, Paros) are quite barren and dry in summer, what makes them beautiful is the setting from the blue Mediterranean Sea and the guaranteed blue sky. However enroute back to Turkey I stopped on Samos and hired a motorcycle (actually a 125, bloody slow too...) for the day. This island is very green and filled with windy roads through the pine forested hills and valleys. Infact it feels like Turkey- it is said that the island was split off from the mainland by earthquake.

Kicking around Istanbul for a bit and still nursing my flu (which isnt helped by bouts of drinking...;-) I have a 'pleasant' 35hour bus trip ahead to Jordan; I dont want to get any more complications from the bus's air-conditioning. Next stop- Jerusalem

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