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Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Malta
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Maltese history traces way back beyond the impressive fortresses which have barricaded Valetta from hordes of invaders over the centuries. Apparently the first humans turned up in Malta around 5000 years ago, and they left behind some built evidence of their time on the Tiny Isles.
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Valletta, Malta
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Malta lies in an historically significant strategic position in the Mediterranean. Squeezed between Sicily and Africa, control of Malta was critical for trouble-free trading, plundering, and warring.
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Passage to Malta
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Our passage to Malta, the longest of our voyage from Turkey to Tunisia, would take three and a half days. We were all looking forward to getting ashore for a shower, a meal and a beer.
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Bumper Stickers and National Heroes, Turkey
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The other day I saw a couple of bumper stickers featuring modern Turkey’s founding father Mustafa Ataturk. Which got me thinking: what if patriotic Aussies could have bumper stickers of their favourite giant of Australian politics, instead of just the southern cross and Ned Kelly?
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Old Bodrum, Turkey
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Bodrum, Turkey, is a popular resort town for sun-deprived Europeans, but isn’t just hotels, souvenir shops, nightclubs and STIs. The place has a long history, and some interesting sites to check out.
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A Place to Call Home
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I was fortunate to work in Central Australia for nearly twenty years, and a big part of the jobs I did was working with Indigenous people. I remember a friend of mine, who also worked cross-culturally, once saying: ‘I envy Indigenous people. They have a true sense of place. They…
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The Kindness of Strangers II, Turkey
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The Skipper had told us that the Turkish people readily go out of their way to help visitors to their country. A local bloke definitely made our visit to Ayvalik memorable, making sure three strangers and a dog felt welcome in his town.
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The Dardanelles, Turkey
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Today I motored down the Dardanelles, along the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, one hundred and five years after my relative John (Jack) Gibbs arrived at ANZAC Cove.
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Topkapi Palace, Turkey
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The architecture of Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace is impressive to say the least, with buildings being added over the centuries as successive Sultans tried to out-magnificent each other
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Swallows and Amazons
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A chance discovery in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands Urupukapuka is the largest island in New Zealand’s aptly named Bay of Islands. During a recent kayak trip (see Paddling the Bay) I had the opportunity to explore Urupukapuka, and climbed the grassy walking track to the Island’s highest point. I…