THASSOS

After a very wet crossing into Greece , the weather cleared today . Willy was getting very wet even inside and the drain holes were working overtime. If the rain had stayed we would have remained on the main land and probably kept going.
As the views are the same in the rain and the roads foggy.


The locals have funny driving habits. Speed limits are ignored. Trucks are driving very slowly. In Turkey I could be filled up at petrol stations every few kilometers. But in Greece along the new EC sponsored motorways there are none! Thats what we have the Jerrycan for.

But it cleared to become a beautiful day and we crossed with another ferry on the island of Thassos.

A nice Campground were we are going to stay two days and drive around the island tomorrow.

Willy at Thassos 2 May 2009

Historic TROYES

Being close to Troyes , we took the opportunity to look at the famous "Horse"




It took me a 30 minute ferry crossing \across the Bosporus to get into Asian Turkey.

You cannot imagine that such a small horse could mislead the mighty Greeks.

The site is very old with lot's of loose stones. It requires a bit too much imagination for me to figure out what was there 3000 years ago. But there is something left. Which might be more than me after this trip.
As the trip is very demanding being pushed to the limit at 45 MPH !!! (and sometimes even a bit more)


Unfortunately today has been very wet and the forecast is not good either.
But I am fighting on and got to Greece today.

All about that next time.

Willy, 2 May 2009

ANZAC COVE

That is WILLY at the left of this mob , proudly displaying the Australian and Dutch flags.

It was a proud moment indeed to be posing between the pilot and the co-pilot at Anzac Cove.

We had spent the night nearby on a camp ground and used the day to explore the history of the battles near Gallipoli.

We understand why so many unnessarily lost their lives in this disastrous attempt to invade Turkey.

On the small peninsular thousand of aussies and new zealanders and many more Turks lost their lives. LEST WE FORGET

Willy, Anzac Cove , 1 May 2009

I had to cope with scores of Turkey's school busses with children learning about their fore fathers heroic fight to defend their country.

FREE AT LAST

Two days of sitting in offices and the usual bureaucratic hassles resulted in our release from the port of Istanbul.

WE ARE FREE AT LAST.

None of us had ever driven on the right side of the road , sothat was a big adventure in itself. After crossing the Bosporus on a car ferry we settled quickly back in Istanbul.

An extra security guard has been put on tonight to watch over us as the boss stays the last night for a while in a hotel.

In the morning he will find out if the security guard has been a sleep or not. We hope for the best as we do not want things missing already.

Unfortunately three people in the group already lost money or some goods.

Tomorow some time for sightseeing and then of to Gallipoli in the early afternoon.

It has been cool here so there is no fear for overheating.

Willy 28 april 2009

Aletta Malta

You have not heard from us for a while as we have been in hibernation for a few weeks on the way to Malta.
The boss has been busy getting ready to come over.
They found nice friends to look after the house and dog Cleo.
Lucky dog, she will be fat when they get back !!
Fortunately the pirates left us alone whilst sailing towards Suez canal, and we have reached Malta.
There was a bit of a layover here waiting for the transfer to Istanbul. But we do not want to be there early. As the shipping companies then charge "demurrage" fees. That means a charge per day for the rent of the container and it is a lot !
Better to spent that money on fuel as we are very thirsty.

The intention is that we get loaded on the Tuesday the 20th and arrive in Istanbul on Saturday 24th of April.

The boss and the first co-pilot will be leaving for Istanbul with Turkish Airlines on Sunday. Not so sure about that Airline...
remember Amsterdam airport ?
They are going to try on Monday 27th to get me released.

We are really looking forward to some fresh air and cannot wait to get roaring along again.
Wonder about that battery...... will let you now next Tuesday

On The Water with the CMA CGM Charcot

We have been on the water now for more than a week.

And what a week. Not long after leaving Sydney we got to Brisbane and a few other friends joined us.

But than the party really started when we hit cyclone Hamish.
My goodness what a storm.

Just aswell that we were well strapped down. I heard a few cries on board of stuff that was not so well secured. When you open those boxes at the end of the voyage...... What a mess.
But I can report that we are ok.

Being on deck is not an ideal spot. It was first cold and now stinking hot.

All this tossing around has not been good for our stomachs. We have been spilling a few bits and pieces. I also noticed that the boss left his driving glasses in here. Not so smart as he needs them still in Sydney.

Also those reds into my mates cabin is sloshing around and now the heat of the tropic..... That will only be good for the sewer when we finally arrive in Istanbul. Sorry Mick.

New Zealand Contingent

What a smart looking Dodge.

In fact I have never seen one of those before.
Did the Russians copy these ???
If it goes half as good as it looks, then it will get to Normandy.
For sure...









But,.... those ropes look very flimpsy and the blocks
will require fumigation at the other end !


Hopefully the Dodge will come out as smart as it went in and
does not get a bloody nose




Very smart looking combination but,
Holy shit..... , is this colour the NZ interpretation of

"olive drab green"

To be honest it looks like it has been behind a NZ pooh spreader .
Hopefully not smelling like one ?

Until next time , Willy

(Editor: apologies for Willy being so unkind about this great looking Kiwi Jeep combination)