Greetings from istanbul

[Michele Monro]

I have at last managed to get an internet connection that hasn't cut out after 3 minutes. Hope all is Ok without me. We had to miss one of the Greek Islands as the tenders couldn't get in and we have been in Istanbul for two nights already with another to go. It is cold and damp but we are heading back to Kusadasi tomorrow which is south so hopefully the weather will warm slightly. We have both had stinking head colds as the air conditioning on the ship is passing everyone's germs round but we have met some nice people on the ship. The shows went well and luckily Matt doesn't have another show until Tuesday so hopefully he will be fitter by then. Have taken loads of pictures so will put a few up once I get back the week of 7th November. Apparently Sue Lawley is aboard but we haven't seen her.

The ship is nice but it is definitely geared to the older clientele and everything stops at 11.00 pm because the tours are rather strenuous. I've never been on a ship before where there is a port every day and some of the excursions are 7/8 hours long so you can understand they all come back shattered. Managed to get Matt off the ship three times - that's a record in itself. We did the Grand Bazaar yesterday and it was overload of all the senses, I had to leave after 20 minutes, talk about claustrophobic. We saw the Blue Mosque but it was closed for prayers and we didn't fancy waiting two hours until it opened again.

Anyways will try and get back in a few days. Do keep using the Forum as I read all the messages even if it is a few days later than other people.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Nice to hear from you Michele, but sorry to hear that both you and Matt have had colds, but at least so good to know that the shows went well, and you have had some good times too.
It certainly appeasrs that this cruise is geared for the more mature age group when everything stops by 11 pm.,, but at least you can say that the entire trip has been an experience.
Keep well and look forward to hearing from you very soon.

[Marian]

Good to hear from you Michele and read the update on how the cruise is going. Sorry you have both had colds though and hope Matt will be fit for his show on Tuesday.
Peter and I are in the middle of a JJ tour so haven't been here lately but will catch up on everyone's news soon.
Enjoy the remainder of your trip.

[mariana44]

It can be miserable if you are unwell away from home---hope things pick up fopr you both soon, and you can really enjoy this cruise--sounds good to me !!!

[keithgood838]

PERSONAL PROXIMITY

Michele, my grasp of matters techno'
may be measured as, 'not much';
yet I am curious to know
by what means you stay in touch:
by what magic, sailing to exotic places,
can you still see familiar forum faces?

[maureen & harry]

Sorry to hear that you and Matt have been ill with colds and hope you are soon feeling better especially for Matt's next performance.

We had the same problem on our cruise with the internet so it's not surprising you can only go on it every few days.

Hopefully you will find on the Arcadia cruise Michele that people stay up much later than 11pm as that what happened in our experience.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday/