Turkey: Turkish Delight

Topkopi Palace

Egyptian Market / Spice Bazaar

Turkish Delight

Visited the Topkapi Palace today then joined a food tour through the spice markets, ferried to the Asian side of Istanbul where we stopped at several shops tasting their cuisine (including Turkish Delight). The tour culminated in a tasting of 23 different dishes at a traditional Turkish restaurant.

Turkey: Istanbul

The Blue Mosque

Inside the Hagia Sophia

The Grand Bazaar (largest covered bazaar in the world)

Lunch

Galata Tower

Süleymaniye Mosque

Lots of walking around Istanbul today to see the sights. Great turkish food and impressive architecture. A song we cannot get out of our heads .... Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

Dubai

Singapore: Four Seasons Brunch

Had an amazing brunch with friends at the Four Seasons Hotel.  Full-on buffet.....

Singapore: Chinatown, Sentosa and Little India

Explored Chinatown today, took a cable car ride out to Sentosa (a reclaimed land island that is like Disney) and went to Little India for dinner and a haircut. The haircut was old school and included a finish with a straight razor.

Singapore: Arab Street and "No Signboard Seafood"

Walked around the city and among other things went to Arab street. Also met up with friends at "No Signboard Seafood" down on the marina bay (Picture is across bay of the Marina Bay Sands).

Singapore!

New Zealand: Blenheim

The three stooges

The view from our room

Duuuuude!

Staying at an Alpaca farm in the Marlborough region famous for its wine (Like the Napa valley of New Zealand). Alpacas are very skittish animals that are native to South America and are related to Llamas and Camels. Took a bike ride around the various wineries / eateries.

New Zealand: Kaikoura

Drove from Dunedin to Blenheim with a stop in Kaikoura. Kaikoura is famous for it's sea life, since it is one of the closest shorelines to the continental shelf.

New Zealand: Dunedin - Otago Peninsula

Royal Albatross (up to 3 meter wingspan)

New Zealand Fur Seal

Sea Lion patrolling the coastline for a meal (penguins) and looking for the females (Less than 30 females in NZ)

Yellow Eyed Penguin

Took a tour today of the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin on the east coast of the south island. Saw Royal Albatross (up to 3 meter wing-span), Sheep, Fur Seals (pointy nose), Sea Lions (flat nose, only 150 on east coast of New Zealand), and Yellow-eyed Penguins (one of the rarest penguins and native to NZ).

New Zealand: Milford Sound

Sterling Falls - One of the two permanent waterfalls in Milford Sound

Tallest mountain rising directly from the water in the world

Last remaining glacier in Milford Sound

Only alpine parrot in the world

Drove out to the Milford Sound today for a kayaking tour, two hours away from Te Anau where we were staying. Great weather and we were greeted by lots of sea life (seals, dolphins and penguins).

New Zealand: Te Anau

Had a relaxing day at our cabin with great mountain views. Went on a tour of Lake Te Anau and saw a glow worm cave (unfortunately no photos allowed)

New Zealand: Adventures in Queenstown

Was a busy day for us in Queenstown. Went to the Kiwi bird life park, hiked up to the Skyline gondola top station, rode some "Luge", and then went on a Zip-trek (Zipline tour).  Afterwards, drove to Te Anau where we will spend the next three nights exploring the Fiordland area.

New Zealand: Drive to Queenstown

Drove to Queenstown today from Hokitika. Saw the Franz Josef Glacier, stopped for lunch along the road (From that point there is no land between New Zealand and Antarctica) and staying the night in Queenstown.

New Zealand: Jam and Pancakes

Driving day from Picton to Hokitika on the west coast.  Had a minor "New Zealand Traffic Jam", stopped at lake Rotoiti and saw the "pancake rocks" and blowholes.