July 8-11, 2009 – Day 195-198 – Budapest, Hungary

We have been taking it pretty easy in Budapest so instead of boring you to tears with 3 sentence long dreadfully boring daily posts we have lumped them into one medium sized boring post! Budapest has fit our needs very nicely. Turns out our flight from here to Hong Kong (flying out Monday) will be pretty cheap and it gives us a chance to enjoy some western comforts before jumping into China.

What are you lookin' at?

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July 6, 2009 – Day 193 – Sarajevo, Bosnia

Old men are the same universally. They all like to watch other people and tell them how they are doing something wrong. It was no different when we stumbled upon a chess match in the park today and Saben was drawn like an old codger to a construction site.

Saben watching a game in the park

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July 3, 2009 – Day 190 – Zagreb, Croatia

Wow, Croatian food is not normally a top world cuisine but the pastries here are just out of this world! Definitely stop in at one of the many bakeries and feast on some of the delicious goodies they offer. Our favorites tend to be the blackberry, cherry and chocolate ones. My mouth is watering just imagining them!

Traditional Dancers not dancing

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July 1, 2009 – Day 188 – Zadar, Croatia

Since Morgan has to leave on a late flight tonight, we had to head back to Zadar this morning. Saben and Lin checked into the hostel and then we spent a warm sunny day at the beach. The water is still quite cold but it is just as clear and blue as the famous pictures of Croatia suggest.

Ice cream tends to be where the action is

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June 30, Day 187: Sibenik, Croatia

Sightseeing in Sibenik. Very interesting and famous cathedral, a lovely old city, and dilapidated remains of the old castle walls. From the high walls, much of the city is visible but most spectacular is the view over the sea. It was a warm, clear blue day and we were able to see the nearby Kornati islands and boats of all sizes zipping through the azure water below.

Heads around the Cathedral

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June 27, 2009 – Day 184 – Biograd, Croatia

Picked up Morgan at the little airport in Zadar before heading to charming Biograd, about an hour and a half away! We’re really excited to have company and glad he could visit us all the way in Croatia!

Lin at the airport

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June 19, 2009 – Day 176 – Pammukale, Turkey

Sitting in a gritty calcium pool is a surprisingly nice way to spend an afternoon. After an over night bus and most of the morning spent traveling we arrived in Pammukale to see the famous calcium deposits. The views from the natural pools are amazing, with mountains lining the horizions in all directions. Despite the massive tour groups and sagging, sun-wrinkled bodies wearing smaller than desired bathing attire, Pammukale is actually a fun place to visit.

Lindsey enjoying the pool

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June 17 2009 -  Day 174 – Istanbul, Turkey

The air rose up and stung our bones with a damp chill. We switchbacked down, down, down into the Basilica Cistern on stone ramps to see what remains of Justinian’s savior of Constantinople.

Inside the cistern

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June 16, 2009 – Day 173 – Istanbul, Turkey

Quite a busy day today! This morning we sat on the carpeted floor of the Blue Mosque watching the hoards of tourists pour in one side and back out the other within seconds. There were only a few local people there to actually pray and I have no idea how they could have done so with all the noise!

The (massive) Blue Mosque

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June 13, 2009 – Day 170 – Goreme, Turkey

Sixteen traveling hours total today but we finally, happily arrived in Goreme (the main town in Cappadocia). Had some trouble locating a cheap hostel and ended up staying at this fabulous place called Blue Moon Motel & Pansion.

Tasty Turkish Pides

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