photos relating to recent blogs

At last, some pics!!!

1) The 124 yr old "Vega" at Langkawi. We brought down some deck caulking material for them from Thailand and had a fascinating tour over this venerable vessel. Hopefully Tiare will last at least as long as this magnificent specimen of wooden boat history.

2) The Dolmabahce Palace was built for the Ottomans in the late 1800's - possibly because they wanted to keep up with their European counterparts. However, it was eventually a major factor in the demise of the Ottoman Empire, just as Versailles in France did the same to the French Royalty. Still, unlike France the Turkish Ottomans kept their heads!

3) We didn't actually visit the Hagia Sophia but saw it from the water. We are all mosque'd out!

4) This is a miniature version of the above.

5) The magnificent gates of the Dolmahahce. God knows what they cost alone; the entire palace cost 35 tons of gold - an eyewatering sum back in the late 19th. century.

6) Jim's favourite shop - enough said!!

7) Jean with an Albanian jeweller from Kosovo in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul.

8) Part of the Topkapi Palace. Don't know which part; it was massive and was a completely self contained community with wives and concubines galore!!!

9) Turkish Delight everywhere. Don't really know where to begin.

10) The entrance to Earnest Hemingway's house (although it actually belonged to his wife which proved to be a far sighted move on her part).

11) Many examples of Art Deco architecture in South Miami Beach. This was a notable example and made us think we were back in Napier.

12) This ute caught our eye in Key West. Promoting some tourist venture or another.

13) An example of historical building styles in this historic town of Key West.

14) Carter with his personal swimming instructor here in Miami. Even Nash at just over 1 year old is an accomplished swimmer and it's so important, especially here, for children to learn to swim as soon as they are able.

15) Key West again - this is actually not the southernmost point but very close. Good enough for tourists!!

16) The desk where Hemingway wrote 65% of his published works. The study was connected to the main house by an overhead wrought iron bridge so that he could have absolute privacy whenever necessary.

17) Jean, Perry and Carter at swimming.

18) Jean and Lorraine - South Miami Beach.

19) The famous Conch Train which we took for the best part of a day in and around Key West. Far and away the best way to get a quick overview in a short time.

Hope these pics bring some life into our written blogs!!

Lotsaluv from us,

Jim and Jean

Normandy Island

Miami

USA

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