Watson Family Travels

Hard to believe it is almost 2 years since Turkey but time for the watson5 to hit the road again. Of course we all know Matt would have us travelling full time with no fixed abode and little in the way of possessions but common sense prevails on that front. Anyway we're off to Vietnam and Cambodia - neither Matt nor I have been before. We had a trip booked 13 years ago but 2 days before we were due to leave Matt's Dad was diagnosed with cancer and we have just never quite got back there so add 3 kids to the mix and I'm sure we'll have a very different trip. It should be easier travelling with the kids that bit older. We don't need a portacot. We have no searching for goats milk and whilst Bellie is now bigger and louder she is also more able to communicate her needs. Hopefully not too many people will be offended when she stomps her foot and exclaims "this is yuk!!". Packing was easier, having remembered the Turkey lessons I haven't bothered with running shoes and have stuck to the 3 outfits each rule. The staff at Nelson airport were suitably impressed at how light we were travelling with only two backpacks for the 5 of us. In a bold move we have brought with us no toys other than the kids favourite soft toy for bed time. They have a daypack each sized correctly so they can actually carry them this time. These contain a book for writing and drawing and a pencil case each. We'll no doubt pick up the odd toy on the way but by in large they'll make thier own fun out of whatever is around, and for us it's less to loose. I'm already somewhat paranoid about losing Bellie's bunny after trying to ween her on to a more generic and replaceable bunny to no avail - it is the dearest thing to her in the world, apart from us of course - I had even thought about having it microchipped. 2 ipads are an addition to our packing this time. The advantages being they are lighter and easier to carry than the laptop, you can watch movies and read books on them and we felt they'd be useful for the kids to do some school work and learning apps. Though they are not without their frustrations as I am having difficulties uploading pics to this blog hence the delay in publishing it.

So anyway on to the flight. I'm afraid it's all a bit of a short tale this time. Nelson to Chch was a piece of cake and the 10hours to Singapore passed without incident. We got the usual "I hope they're not sitting by me" stares as we boarded followed by lots of compliments about our quiet, well behaved kids" as we hopped off. So Matt is saying he can't possibly write another book after such a mundane start to the travels.

Our three days in Singapore have been busy to say the least. We are staying on Santosa Island in a big resort hopefully an opportunity to adjust to the time change and get used to the temperatures before hitting the bustling sounds and smells of Hanoi. And hot it is - Holly and I are walking around with our usual beetroot red faces feeling as though we are leaving a trail of sweat behind us. I regularly catch Matt laughing at us. I'm looking at it like a sauna and imagining the kilos dropping from me. We've had a couple of nights with thunder storms - typical for this time of year. The other night we were eating at a little cafe on the beach and got caught in a huge downpour. Torrential rain and the biggest clap of thunder you have ever heard. Every person in the cafe jumped about two feet.

Our accomodation is very flash but not so roomy. We have interconnecting rooms which were to have a double and three single beds. We arrived to find 1 King and two king singles. So we've had a few different plans that have been tried and failed and have settled on Holly and Toby topping and tailing though Holly finds Toby somewhat "active" in the night. We've been enjoying the buffet breakfasts which really are something to be seen. The restaurant is arount 150 metres long and packed with so many choices. From fried rice, soup, freshly baked bread and pastries, every tropical fruit you can imagine (family consensus is Dragon fruit is yuk! though Toby loved the name) smoked salmon, a cheese selection, bacon, omlettes and eggs to order. We have never seen anything like the amount of food presented each morning so the idea is stock up at breakfast then head out for the day. The kids eat for free and ours certainly seem to get there fill with Toby appearing to devour a whole watermelon every morning. The hotel is also full of Korean's - mostly women apparently attending a leadership conference. They have been fascinated by the kids especially Bella - who with practise has now perfected her "humour me" smile and royal wave. Matt asked one of the staff who said the Koreans in particular just never see white kids - hence their interest. One even stopped and gave Bella 1000 Korean Won - sounds alot but I googled it and it works out to about $1.50.

So our days here have been taken up with lugeing, swimming, watersliding, and just having a good look around. A bit of a treat for the kids before we hit the "real travel" We had a fun day at Universal Studios which seemed to mostly consist of us going on rides which we were lead by the attendants to believe were "tame family fun" to twice find ourselves on rollercoasters with Matt and Toby petrified. Funnily enough Bellie seemed to take it all in her stride she just shrinks down and puts her hands over her eyes when it all gets too much. She was more peturbed by being sneezed on during the the 4D shrek movie (all part of the show that is). We also had a fun visit to Underwater World an awesome aquarium where the kids got to feed sharks with a bit of fish on a stick and Holly volunteered for and got picked to feed, pat and kiss a Dolphin. She had a ball and in true Holly fashion she hasn't stopped talking about it - wondering if she is the "first person to have ever done that". After 3 nights we all seem to be adjusting to the 6 hour time difference. Being asleep by 8pm and wide awake at 4am is not really a winner. Onward tomorrow to Hanoi, Vietnam - fun times ahead!!

Well its finally done
I've finished writing my book about our intrepid journey.
Its taken a year but now its available for sale

If you would like to purchase a copy please email me at: watson5@xtra.co.nz
Its $30 NZ a copy plus postage.
$5 New Zealand
$10 Australia
$15 USA
$20 Europe
Can ship to other destinations and will check cost on enquiry

The book has had great reviews and in the first week I have orders from Belgium, England, Turkey, USA, Dubai and Australia.
Its a great read for anyone who loves to travel or even if you want to buy a book for an armchair traveller.

I hope you enjoy my story

Thanks
Matt Watson
Nelson
New Zealand

Home sweet home our apartment is first floor third window from the right

What are we looking forward to apart from the obvious catching up with family and friends. I'm looking forward to a Latte, a cold glass of chardonnay, and the space and quiet of home. Matt is keen for a glass of milk, a game of golf and a catch up with is soccer mates. Holly her Polly Pockets and My Little pony, a room of her own and sausages at school on Friday. Toby is going to give his cars a hug and his Ben 10 sword and his mate Jack. He'll also finally have made it to his Birthday which has been in his sights since the day we left. And dear sweet Bellie I dare say is looking forward to her own cot and safe railings on veranda's. You should see her cot tonight it is a standard portacot - but it has shrunk and is around half the size. She can't even stretch out in it so I am calling this one the "matchbox". I remember my Nana telling me how they would sleep the babies in an open drawer of a scotch chest - well I reckon Bellie would just about handle that now. Check out her bed blog I have added a pic.

We'll miss Turkish Bread

This morning we have tackled the bazaar again. That place seems to suck the life out of our children within 20 mins. It's the noise, the crowd, and the lights think it just overloads their senses. This is our last shopping blast before returning home. We have travelled pretty light up until now due to the logistic difficulties of carrying it as well as our kids around. The kids are happy they got their promised toy each costing us a total of $17. So this is it - the final few days of a very successful trip.

This is how light we have travelled - up until now!

Man we have seen some sights (It's alright Poppa Bellie didn't run up to this one saying "Poppa Poppa")

Wednesday 29th September - leaving day
Matt has done a few sums for us. We have travelled 4100km within Turkey by air and road. We have visited 8 towns and called 15 different places "home". We have drunk 500 litres of bottled water, and only two bottles of wine! Had nearly 5000 visits to our blog and in 86 days we have had only 6 hours of rain over 3 days. Finally - we have had only resorted to fast food (Burger King and MacDonalds) 3 times.

Today - our last day we visited the beautiful Aya Sofia (which I missed last time as Bellie was sleeping) and returned to the kids favourite magical Underground Water Cistern. Two out of three kids are coughing and snotting - they just want to challenge their Mum and Dad on that flight. We leave at 4pm spend 4 hrs flying to Dubai, wait for 2 hours then 7 hour flight to Singapore for 2 hours before another 7 hour flight to Brisbane where we arrive at 1am and spend the next day and night before flying home Saturday.

Well farewell Turkey - it has been amazing - better than we could have ever imagined.

And thank you to all who have read our blog your interest and comments of support have been overwhelming and a really lovely link to home. Keep an eye on the blog still - I'll do one when we've been home for a week and tell you what we think.

This morning at the Underground Water Cistern

Well here we are in our last week of our trip. Matt is already plotting his escape from going home. Missing flights losing passports have been mentioned! We are loving Antalya - we spent 5 nights at the "Blue Sea Gardens" Pansiyon which was the place with the lovely garden and pool. But the 5 of us sharing just two small rooms is not ideal so on the advice of an old couple at the Pansiyon Matt went and checked out apartments across the road. Well they are awesome we have a what seems huge villa two bedrooms two lounges and a pool shared between the 6 villas, however we seem to be the only ones around. The funny thing is we are actually paying half of what we were for our tiny abode across the road and we have loads of space which makes for a pleasant change.

Our new apartment front

And back - yes that is the road we are standing on and Bellies room is the overhang bit

We've been pretty quiet here just enjoying wandering the streets of Kaleici - the old town. There has been a huge amount of renovation since Matt and I were here 9 years ago with the streets being r- cobbled and many of the Ottoman houses restored back to there former glory. The kids love running down the narrow alleys and we never seem to go the same way twice. A few are still in need of restoration so the imaginations run wild as whether they might be "haunted" or not. We've had a couple of trips to the bizarre to buy mostly clothes for the kids with "Hello Kitty" and "Spiderman" being the hot favourites. This is were the haggling for price occurs and it's a funny old game which I don't really enjoy but we get there in the end and the kids are very happy with their wares. Check out Tob in his Spiderman jacket - it is very sun smart with a hood that zips down the front and sunglass eye patches to look out - and yes he insists on wearing it in the searing 37 degree heat. Prices have risen in the last few years here with many things comparable to home but you still get the odd bargain. I got some Demazin decongestant for Toby today as he was so bunged up with a cold ?allergy and I need to clear it before our plane trip. Anyway the 200ml bottle cost $2.30 which is ridiculously cheap. We also laugh how in the big cities all the same shops are in the same street or area, for example all of the stationery shops in one street or all the bike shops - not sure how the whole competition thing works.

Hello Kitty chats to Spiderman

We had a two hour trip out on a "Gullet" (that's a type of boat for anyone not familiar). Matt negotiated us a price so we could head out on our own rather than having to wait for the boat to fill up or do a 6 hour trip. Off we headed with our Captain down the coast seeing some awesome beaches, hotels on the side of the cliffs and a stunning waterfall. Two hours was plenty for Miss B who due to the boat railings (which were were wooden and like stair banisters but with a 1 1/2 foot gap between each one) had to be held by one of us for the whole time.

Our trip on the Gullet - Duden Falls in the background

We also took a trip to the local Aquapark which turned out to be pretty grotty and very limited as to what the kids could do so we were home by 2pm. In the evening we often have a picnic tea of bread rolls, cold chicken, hummus carrot sticks and fruit. I makes a nice change from sitting in restaurants all of the time and we get to see a bit of local life like sit and listen to some teenagers singing and playing the guitar or play alongside some Turkish kids. I did however find myself a little confused to hear Matt swearing at a Turkish kid around 5 years old the other day. Matt said he had come up and hit Toby and due to an apathy from the kids Mum Matt had decided to tell him off. As the kid couldn't understand what he was saying he chucked in a couple of swear words for good measure.

Tob heads down the slide

Bellie shows the big kids how it's done

Some things still amuse us even after 3 months. Like when you watch TV the blank out all cigarettes and pipes replacing them with a kind of hand drawn cartoon flower. I guess images of smoking on TV are banned which is funny really as we are sure about 90% of adults here smoke. Another is that the diet is so healthy and you rarely see an overweight Turk however all of the breakfast cereals seem to have so much sugar added - even special K is sugar coated. I saw an advert last night for these cocoa pop balls that are coated in chocolate - for breakfast!

Now I'm going to hand over to Matt to write about his trip to a football game:
Antalyaspor where playing Kayserispor in Antalya so I got myself a ticket. In the process I got invited to go with the owner of the shop(Mustafa) that sold the tickets and the shirts I had brought. I hadn't met him only talked over the phone as his lady in the store didn't speak English she would text him when I went in. His English wasn't great but he managed to convey where and when I would be picked up. I met him at his shop at 6pm and got a lift with his son, cousin and uncle. We got to the stadium at 8pm as it was 40km out of town and I left them to go to my seat. Outside the stadium was a fence which was patrolled by armed police on horseback. You get to the outer gate and armed police in riot gear are in two lines which you have to go through, at the end of the line they check if you have a ticket. I got to my gate, got my ticket checked and walked through a revolving door. On the other side I was patted down - out came my phone, camera and wallet. The officer was asking me something which I was unsure of so I said I wasn't Turkish, at which time he took my wallet. Feeling a bit nervous why he wanted my wallet I watched him open the coin part and take them all out. I had about 12 coins 8 Lira in total which he took and said "Sorry". He placed the coins on a desk behind him which had other coins on it as well as metal objects and knives. The sign above the desk had a warning of what was banned, flares, knives and guns! Brilliant I thought, like who wants to bring a gun to a footy match. A Turkish man approached me and told me why they had taken my coins. It was because the supporters throw them at the players so they ban them. On the way to my seat I saw a policeman trying to lock an exit door because people were trying to come in - when he couldn't he got out his handcuffs and locked the handles together. I made a mental note as to which door not to run to in case of a fire.

The sign of "NO's" at the entrance

Inside the crowd was small but noisy. The home supporters had drums and some great chants. One in particular they would start then other sections of the crowd would sing there part so it would volley around the stadium. The away supporters who numbered only a hundred or so where "caged" in a section down one end. The had fences 10 foot high around all four sides with a netting roof, it was crazy! The game started with a minute silence which the Kayseri supporters broke half way through with there chants. When that finished the Antalyasopr supporters went mental - fists where being waved and men were running at the "Cage" obviously wanting a fight. It was all on and the game hadn't even started. During the match there was a great atmosphere. The singing was excellent and the game was good to watch. It all turned though with ten minutes to go. The singing had changed to more aggressive chants abusing each others teams, and there was more provoking each other. Down in the "Cage" the Kayseri supporters ran to the front of their section and with fists waving started at the Antalya supporters closest to them. In return they rushed at them. Both sets of fans unable to get each other but that didn't seem to bother them. The riot police entered the Kayseri section and got them back to there seats. Then the all locked arms and jumped up and down singing. When the song finished they started breaking the seats and throwing them towards the Antalya section. With the net it was futile but did send a message. Loads of fans around me jumped up and raced toward them shouting and screaming. I sat quietly in a trance watching what I had only seen before on TV. I felt a bit nervous but it was so cool to watch!

The game finished 2-1 to Antalya and I met Mustafa in the carpark for my ride home. On the way home I asked what the supporters where singing but he wouldn't tell me. Only to say "Its bad and not football" He dropped me off near home at midnight. It had been a brilliant experience, if slightly different from watching RAFC at Jubilee park.

Check out the away supporters cage

Back to Rach: Tuesday night we had a real treat for the kids. Firstly we took them to an icecream cafe and let them have the biggest icecream sundaes you have ever seen for dinner. They were astonished that this was going to be tea "where's the rice" said Holly. After tea we walked over to the other side of town to see a lights and water fountain show. It was awesome the water spouts all danced perfectly to a series of classical tunes. It really was stunning and the kids were so excited. Matt and I felt ill all night after all the icecream.

Mmmm icecream for dinner

The next night was a treat for Matt and I. We booked a babysitter - who was the cleaning lady from the Blue Sea Gardens so that we could head out for dinner. The only other time we have done that was on my birthday so we were really looking forward to it. The babysitter arrived at 7.30pm with her 5 and 10 year old boy. They were dressed in their best clothes ready for an evening playing with our kids we presume. However our kids were in bed though Bellie was playing up and Holly and Toby had just gone to bed. So we waited till they all settled and left instructions for her to call if there were any problems and we'd come home. Now this lady spoke no English at all. After dinner we snuck past the back street window to see Toby up in the lounge with one of the other kids helping to put his spiderman jacket on. That's okay we thought and carried on down the street to have a drink before returning. Matt ordered his favourite a black russian usually made from Kahlua, vodka and coke. Ours was made with Cognac, instant coffee, coke zero, diet pepsi and eventually some vodka (after someone ran to the shop to get some) Not the flashest black russians we had ever had.

Anyway we wandered back across to our villa at about 10.45pm opening the door to find the babysitter her 2 and our 3 kids sittiing on the couch "happy as" Holly's description of the chain of events was very amusing. She the babysitter kept on coming upstairs to check them. Toby and then Bella got up and she came downstairs and told the babysitter that they would be tired and needed to be put back to bed. But the babysitter shook her head and waving her finger said "No no no no - no sleep" Holly says she eventually gave up after telling her that Mum and Dad would be "very missaapointed" So the babysitters kids got to play with ours, we had a fun night out and 3 grumpy kids the next day.

A late night playdate aka - the babysitter

Today is our last day in Antalya. This morning we headed to "Sand Land" a display of quite cool sand sculptures - it was okay but not really worth the trip. We had to catch a bus and a taxi and as per usual managed to attract some excitement on the way home. Our taxi driver was keen to drive us all the way which would cost us an extra $60 over taking the bus. We declined his offer instead getting him to drop us at the bus station or "Otogar" He drove like a maniac on the 10 min trip and begrudgingly pulled over at the bus station. Just as we were getting the kids out of the taxi a bus backed into it. There was a horrendous crash and the taxi jolted back. Matt and I were both on opposite sides of the taxi and were hit by the doors as the taxi lurched back. Thankfully the taxi driver was able to toot and get the buses attention to stop the bus. We were left feeling a little shaken and thinking what if the kids had been walking around behind or in front of the the taxi.

This afternoon it is just hanging by the pool for our last Turkey swim before heading to Istanbul tomorrow morning. We're on the home run now.

Tonight's sunset

That's the "back end" of the blog tonight - Matt calls them Chocolate, Caramel and Vanilla

Mum said I could have a blog about my beds - their are some pretty funny ones and I've been a good girl and haven't made a fuss at all. After all I am so tired at the end of the day I am happy to see my bed and as long as cuddly and bunny are there it's fine by me. And no I wouldn't climb out at I do want to have some teeth left when I get home. Keep an eye on this one and I'll get Mum to add some photos as we keep travelling we always think this one is the funniest and then they come up with some other hilarious model.

Love to you all

Bellie XXXX

The first one - Antique Mum said

I'm sure this one was meant for a doll - Mum thought I'd climb out but I didn't

Small and bloody hot - and yes I was yelling!

Now this is more like it - and they went out and brought it just for me. Even if the mattress was too big for it

Here it is the worst so far - "The Russian Hospital Bed for Midgets" as Dad named it

In Ciftlikkoy - very mainstream - boring!

Next time we went back to Izmir they got me a new one - Dad went and shook their hand and congratulated them

Oh not one of those old small ones again - in Canakkale - at least it was a bit cooler this time!

Last but not least - The matchbox in Istanbul - I couldn't straighten out or turn over - man I can't wait to get back to my own bed!