WE'RE ALREADY IN ST PAUL'S FOOTSTEPS

The flight defied world trends in volcanic dust hazards - we arrived safely in Thessoloniki after the initial 17 hour trial of Melbourne-Dubai (with only 100 people on the plane - Tullamarine airport was almost deserted - quite weird). 4 hours in Dubai airport was like pergatory - trapped eternally in a mega shopping complex hell - then the rest was easy. Having arrived at our hotel in the late afternoon, we had a great meal (after all, you can't beat Greek food), then collpased into bed. We had to be ready for an 8.00pm start, travelling three hours east to Philippi, where St Paul first set foot in Europe. We explored some amazing ruins of basilicas and forums, and visited the site where Paul baptised Lydia, the first European Christian.

We're just enjoyed a duty-free Chivas Regal before tapping out this blog and preparing for dinner. I was going to add a photo, but the hotel's computer told me I didn't have sufficient security approval to do so. Apologies!

VOLCANIC IMPEDIMENTS

The volcano in far-off Iceland may be affecting the flying public, but we labour in hope of catching our plane on Monday evening (just two days to go). Emirates flew into Athens today, so we hope that trend continues.

HAMISH WOULD LOVE TO JOIN THE TOUR

Hamish loves the water and would love to join John John and Neen on their tour, particularly in a suitably heated pool.

TOUR ITINERARY

MONDAY 19 APRIL
Depart on evening Emirates flight to Athens
TUESDAY 20 APRIL
Arrive Thessaloniki
WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL
Thessaloniki/Philippi/Kavala
THURSDAY 22 APRIL
Thessaloniki
FRIDAY 23 APRIL
Veria/Vergina/Kalambaka
SATURDAY 24 APRIL
Meteora/Delphi
SUNDAY 25 APRIL
Delphi/Olympia
MONDAY 26 APRIL
Olympia/Sparta
TUESDAY 27 APRIL
Sparta/Mystras/Tolo
WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL
Tolo/Epidauras/Mycenae
THURSDAY 29 APRIL
Corinth/Athens
FRIDAY 30 APRIL - TUESDAY 4 MAY
Athens and perhaps the odd island
WEDNESDAY 5 MAY - FRIDAY 7 MAY
Arrive Istanbul by train, meet up with Andy Hooper and the Marstons from England
SATURDAY 8 MAY
Gallipoli/Dardanelles/Canakkale
SUNDAY 9 MAY
Troy/Pergamum/Kusadasi
MONDAY 10 MAY
Ephesus
TUESDAY 11 MAY
Pamukkale
WEDNESDAY 12 MAY
Perge/Antalya
THURSDAY 13 MAY
Antalya
FRIDAY 14 MAY
Aspendos/Konya
SATURDAY 15 MAY
Cappadocia
SUNDAY 16 MAY
Cappacodia (with early morning balloon flight)
MONDAY 17 MAY
Ankara
TUESDAY 18 MAY - THURSDAY 20 MAY
Istanbul
FRIDAY 21 MAY
1200 entertainment options on Emirates flight (if you can work the remote)
SATURDAY 22 MAY
Arrive 1.00am - yuk!

2010 AND OFF TO GREECE AND TURKEY

2009 was a special year for acquiring our first two grandchildren, Toby and Hamish . Now that they are firmly established, controlling their parents and dazzling their grandparents, we can head off to Greece and Turkey. The group of 25 going to Greece is basically the same as went to Italy in 2007, guided by the wonderful Rev Scott Holmes. Five of us go on to Istanbul to meet up with Andy, Christine's younger brother and Chris and Stu Marston, who were our neighbours in our bedsit in Sunningfields Road, Hendon in London and whom we haven't seen since 1973. What a joyous reunion as we retrace the steps of St Paul (in slightly more luxurious accommodation than his caves and nights under the stars).

THE FINAL FLING

We arrived safely in Moscow and were met at our train carriage by our cab driver (thank God, because the place was chaotic), so were in our hotel by 10.00pm. Our room overlooks the monastery gardens, with towers and spires - quite an oasis.

We went into the city this morning by the metro (taking our lives in our hands) - Christine had, letter by letter, translated the relevant metro names into Russian script, so we made it. Our bus tour of the city was unsettled by a huge student demonstration (staged by the government) to show their support of Putin. Before the tour, we had Red Square almost to ourselves - afterwards, the area was overcrowded with military and students. Quite fun, really! We wish we had allowed more time in Moscow - there is so much to experience. Musn't be greedy.

It's Singapore Airlines meals tomorrow - we meet up with Annette in Dubai - it will be good to swap notes.

See you all soon!

BEATEN BY THE SYSTEM

Yesterday's plans were hastily revised when we found ourselves totally unable to make any sense of where, how and when a train went to the station near Catherine's Palace - we were at the right station to go, but there was NOTHING to guide non-Russian speakers, and Catherine's Palace is a meant to be a major tourist attraction. Perhaps only Russians get to go there - we gave up!

Instead, we had a happy excursion to the St Peter & St Paul Fortress on an island in the Neva River. We understand the No 7 bus, which took us to that side of town - getting back another way was a different story, as the No 3 bus must have been hijacked - but we eventually found our way back to the city centre.

In the evening we went to a Georgian restuarant, recommended in our guide book. Lovely food and very nice red - served chilled.

We'll be off to Moscow this afternoon. We've organised a touristy Moscow-in-4-hours to get a quick overview of that huge city tomorrow. We then start the journey home on Thursday morning.

Keep those comments coming, though.