Istanbul – Bursa & Cumalikizik

Bursa We travelled to Bursa in Anatolia at the foot of Mount Uludag, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Here, we visited some more mosques: the Green…

Sad Gallipoli

As we went to take our places on the coach after our last night at Cannakale, Achmet came to welcome us with some excellent news. The authorities had…

Gallipoli and Troy

In the morning, we set out for a pilgrimage to Gallipoli—a sacred site to our group of 35 Australians on the coach. We drove from Canakkale, where we…

Pergamon & Leather Jackets

Before visiting the Pergamon site we went to a place that manufactures the best leather jackets in all of Turkiye and—according to the reps that showed us the…

Kusadasi

We thought we’d be cool as cucumbers spending a leisurely day at Kusadasi. Little did we know it was going to be as hot as Hades and humid…

Sirince Village Tour – Kusadasi

Travelled to Kusidasi and embarked on a tour of the Turkish village of Sirince. The area has a history dating back to the Hellenistic period (323–31 BC). Pottery…

Istanbul

Ahmet, our Turkish tour leader, took us to see the old Istanbul City. We visited the Hippodrome, the Sultan Ahmet Imperial Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque),…

The Lithuanian Jewish Connection

Bengamin Grin most likely[1] my Jewish great-grandfather, came from Lithuania before 1886, the year his son, my grandfather Cecil Green was born in Winburg, on the farm Koffiefontein….

Postcards from Lockdown

POSTCARDS FROM AFRICA My interest in wildlife photography stems from: Experiences in childhood days growing up in small South African country towns, Once out of home always enjoying…

New Norfolk – Betty King

Marvelous things on our own doorstep! We do not need to travel far to be transported into another world. Transportation was certainly uppermost in out thoughts when Dedrie…

Spion Kopje

A recent visit to the Victorian High Country yielded a most interesting and unexpected surprise! While walking around Lake Guy near Bogong Village I came across a sign…

Monbulk

As Spring approaches rapidly, we decided to visit friends at Monbulk and had a most delightful day. The chooks, alpacas, border collies), magpies, blackbirds, cockies, doves, ducks put on a special…

“The Briars”

  Don the ‘puffer jackets’, an essential requirement for heading outdoors this time of the year and head out to “The Briars” in Mt. Martha on the Mornington…

Black Rock – Coastal Walk

Our city has much to offer – all within easy reach. Discovered Black Rock again after visiting my sister Marge in the ’80s. The walks along Port Phillip…

The B-Double

We set out from Townsville along the Bruce Highway. Another one of those North Queensland days, hot, humid but dry as the car bit into the asphalt along…

Hyenas and Wild Dogs

The risk manager speaks. On our first night in Maghoto – I “wisely” decided to rather sleep on the camp bed just outside the door of the tent…

“With Cat-Like Tread”

As with the policemen in the Pirates of Penzance: “With Cat-Like Tread Upon our prey we steal In silence dread Our cautious way we feel No sound at…

Maghoto – “Camel Thorn Tree”

Bless you Loxodanta Africana (Elephants)! We came to visit you in your paradise. And what a paradise it was! Earth felt the wound; and Nature from her seat,…

Central Kalahari

Little did we realise what we were getting ourselves into! We were advised in Maun that the road to Sunday Pan was a cinch. “No worries mate” (the…

Namibia 2016

  We trekked down from Ghanzi (Botswana) to Hobas on the edge of the Fish River Canyon – a 10 hour drive (next time – if ever –…

Magaliesberg – Just off the Witwatersrand!

Jessica’s wedding provided the incentive to visit the Magaliesberg after an absence of 45 years. The wedding venue was at De Hoek – just off the Magaliesburg –…

A Ghost Story

Must tell you about my experience in Coolangatta – the convicts prison converted into a winery near Nowra. During my consulting days I used to stay overnight in…

Profile for Port Phillip Probus Club

A Trip to Nababeep

I am planning a trip to Nababeep in October. Why go there or do that, and, what is it, is it a place or an activity? Sounds like a…