Flight home....THE LONGEST DAY!!

So the worst part of European travel is getting there and getting home.  On the way to a vacation their is always excitement, on the way home it is a date with the real world.  This can add to the experience.
Staying at the Sofitel was great.  In the morning, woke up, grabbed the luggage, elevator to lobby, out the front door and cross the street.  We found the British Airways counter and checked in.  At the security booth there was a group of men that seemed to have problems with their passports or visas.  They kept going between the booths, eventually they all got in one line.
Once through immigration and security we sat down in the waiting area.  As an after thought, we should have looked for breakfast outside the secure area.  Breakfast was 'digestive biscuits' and a Coke Free.  In the waiting area was several of our fellow cruisers.  Most had spent the day in Athens enjoying the sites, and stayed in the city, this meant an hour or so to get to the airport.  Did I mention it was 6:15am when we arrived?
The flight to London left on time and was pleasant.  There were several cruisers right near us which was unusual since we had all purchased our ticket and seat assignments separately.
Once in Heathrow, we de-plane and walk through the terminal.  The strange thing is we have to go through security again, since we obviously had been through it once to get on the plane.  They separate me and my roommate in the lines and that was it.  I made it through and could not find him at all.  I hung around the area for 90 minutes until the gate was announced, and then went there.  He had been sitting at the gate the whole time, his security person had told him where to go.  But he did not wait for me and did not seem concerned that I was missing.
The flight to Miami was VERY long, seemed like days.  At least there were some interesting shows on the in seat media centers.  Once in Miami, the same thing, he finishes first and bolts for the door without even looking for me since I was standing in line watching.  Outside we waited for the transfer to the parking lot where the car was left.  Once in the car and on the way home,  Linda Blair came out, that is the roommate's alter ego.  I said it was wrong that he just left me, but he was it was your fault for getting in the line I was told to get in and he was directed to another line.  If I had walked off, it would have been reversed, that I should have waited.  WHATEVER.
So eventually we make it home.  Nothing like one's own bed and pillows after a long day of flying.  It was 9:30pm, but that is east coast time, Athens is about 3:30am, so about 21 hours of travel, UGH!!

Last Day...Corinth

The Pacific Princess docked  early at Piraeus, the port for Athens.  After a quick breakfast we departed our home for almost the past two weeks.  Once outside of the cruise terminal, we looked for a guide for the day, Vasili from Greecetaxi.  Our plans were to see the ruins at Corinth.
After a few minutes of waiting, Vasili shows up with a big smile.  We load our luggage into the waiting Mercedes and start our day.  The streets are full of traffic, but he navigates it well.  We pass the time talking about where he grew up and his family, it was his father's cab and he drove.  During tourist season he drove lots of tours since he was very fluent in English.
Once out of the city the road opened up to an interstate like set up.  To the right were hills and the left the sea.  Small towns dotted the countryside and coast, and the road was lined with shopping plazas, gas stations, etc, just like home, except there were no McDonalds.  We left the major road and after a few minutes we were at the Corinth Canal.  It had been a dream of Greeks for centuries to cut through the narrow strip of land that would increase Athens to the Adriatic Sea.  It was finally completed the end of the 19th century.
Vasili dropped us off on one side of the canal and drove to the other and waited.  The canal was crossed by bridge flanked with pedestrian walkways.  Being afraid of heights, I stayed away from the outside rail, that is until the middle of the bridge where a large dog was resting.  In the canal was a small freighter making its way to the Adriatic.
Once back in the car we continued to the site of ancient Corinth.  Though once a thriving city, Corinth has been mostly destroyed over the centuries from earthquakes and time.  There is part of one temple still standing, and various parts of structures.  The museum has some very well preserved artifacts.  Above Corinth is a large fortification, the drive up was along a narrow road.  At the fort, we decided not to go inside since it was very cool and windy, but the view was magnificent.

The last stop of our tour was lunch in a small resort town.  It is a favorite place for Vasili and his friends to spend weekends in during the summer.  The streets were lined with nice shops and vacation condos, and even though it was the middle of the week and the end of the season it was bustling.  We were dropped off at the waterfront promenade and went looking for a meal.  After walking to the end we decided on a place that served stuffed crepes.  We had a table so we could watch the people walking by and the sea just beyond.  Lunch was good and we returned to meet Vasili, who always seemed to appear at the meeting place as we approached.

The drive back to Athens was nice.  We talked about music, life in Athens and the United States and enjoyed the scenery.  Once closer in to Athens, the traffic got heavier since it was getting to be rush hour.  our hotel was the Sofitel at the airport.  VERY good choice, it was right across the street from the terminal.  The hotel was beautiful, and the room was very comfortable.  The bathroom was very well equipped and the shower massage great.  A great place to end a vacation.

Ephesus, Turkey

This was a second visit to Ephesus, the previous visit was on my first cruise ever.  It was on the Celebrity Galaxy from Rome about 6 years ago.  Not much has changed, but then when visiting ruins that is normal.
The biggest difference is that we entered the site from the other side and walked through the whole site.  We walked past the ruins of a small theater, the 'terrace' house and shops.  Ephesus at its peak was a prosperous seaport.  Unfortunately, the river silt filled the harbor and the city lost its importance.
On this excursion, we did go to a shrine for Mary, Ephesus is where she went to after the crucifixion.  The shrine is located on top of the one of the surrounding hills.  There is a small chapel, her reconstructed house and the spring where water was gathered.  Pilgrims to the site leave wishes on the wall near the spring.
The major attraction is the remains of the Library of Ephesus.  All that remains is the front wall and courtyard.  Only my last visit there was a small re-enactment with actors dressed in Roman garb.  The architecture of the Library shows how elaborate of a building and Ephesus was.

The area surrounding the Library is filled with 'terrace' houses.  These were the houses of the wealthy members of society.  Interspersed between there houses are shops, temples and shrines to both gods and deceased residents.  Since this was the wealthy section of town, the shrines to deceased loved ones rivaled the temples to  the current gods.  One of the houses has been restored to its former elegance, and is part of a museum.  One of the major structures in ancient Ephesus has succumbed to time and no longer exists.  It is the Temple to Artemis.  It was larger then the Parthenon in Athens, the only remnants is one column located in a farmer's field.
All Roman cities of any size always had a main meeting place, usually a large amphitheater.  The one in Ephesus is where the Apostle Paul preached, it is where his Letters to the Ephesians originated.  It is amazing to walk on the same stones that biblical figures also tread on.
On the way to the exit of the site is the ancient Roman road that connected Ephesus to the rest of the empire.  It is lined with pieces that have been recovered at the site, but the original buildings have been destroyed.  After the rows of gift shops we board the bus to return to the port.
Once back in the port we are given a demonstration on the weaving of carpets.  Refreshments are provided and then the sales pitch., free shipping included!  There are a few streets lined with shops featuring everything from the usual tourist items to leather jackets to knock-off watches.  After a few purchases, we board the ship, and have a late lunch.
This probably will not come as much of a surprise, but.......the 'Gems of the Sea' were late again.  Fifteen minutes before departure their names are announced.  Luckily they did board before they were late.  The interesting thing is that the ship blows its horn to announce departure.  In a port of less than 10 blocks, it should be easy to hear and realize it is time to head to the ship.  Some people will never learn.

$1...$1....Part 2 - Alexandria

The city of Alexandria was founded in about 330 B.C. by Alexander the Great.  it was the capital for a thousand years before the Muslim conquest and it was moved to the Cairo area.  It is known for the ancient library and lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  Today it is Egypt's second largest city and its largest port.
On the way to the bus we were again offered items for $1....$1.  I think those are the first words children learn in Egypt.  But they are trying to make a living, so I do succumb and purchase some postcards and book marks from the least pushy vendors.  The streets of Alexandria are just as crowded as Cairo, some closed off to vehicles and outdoor markets spill out into the streets.

Our first stop is an ancient Roman excavation.  The reason the theater was uncovered was that that fill was needed for a nearby building site.  The excavations revealed the ruins.  The complex is in the heart of Alexandria and surrounded by development.  Most of the theater is below the current level of the city from the accumulations of thousands of years of debris and dirt.  Once down the level of the theater, there is a wide avenue, the theater and Roman baths that are still being excavated, and no entrance was allowed.

The next stop was the Alexandria Museum, located in one of the fashionable older neighborhoods.  The museum is housed in a 1920s Italianate villa.  It traces the history of the city and its growth from ancient times to present.  There are exhibits of Roman and Egyptian artifacts and items from the last century of the privileged class.  Pottery shards, mosaic floor sections, mummies and burial dolls are displayed among the rooms of the mansion and its basement.

Upon leaving the museum we stopped by the new library of Alexandria.  The plans are to replicate the ancient library with the most volumes.  After a few photos on to the Qaitbay Citadel, a fort that guarded the harbor entrance.  Located on a narrow strip of land that helps form the harbor, the fort was erected in the 15th Century to defend the city.  Its thick stone walls were fell prey to cannons of the British fleet  and were repaired and the fort became a refuge for King Farouk.  After the revolution on 1952 it became a museum as it still remains.

So ends the first visit to the African continent.  Back to the cruise terminal in Alexandria.  The approach is lined with small stalls for last minute purchases, and the building itself is new.  Inside it is quite spectacular, with a soaring dome above and arches surrounding the arrival area. on the Pacific Princess to continue the cruise.  If you need help in planning a cruise contact Travel Themes and Dreams, the experienced agents can help with all your travel needs.

$1...$1......Port Said and Cairo

Egypt. one of the oldest known civilizations.  Subject of many novels and movies, who can forget Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra?  The search for the source of the Nile, which happens to be the few major north flowing rivers in the world.  The mention of Egypt conjures up images of the Pyramids,the Sphinx, exotic shopping bazaars, and vast deserts among others.

Port Said is a small city just to the west of the northern entrance to the Suez canal.  It's waterfront is lined with a combination of older buildings and new high rise apartments.  After meeting in the lounge, our group boards the tour bus for the three hour drive into Cairo.  This is where today's excursion is different from others.  Sitting in the front seat is an attractive man in a blue suit, he is our security guard.  Under his suit jacket is a small machine gun, more on this later.  The second unusual thing, there are six buses with passengers, two empty buses and at least two if not three vehicles with armed guards escorting the caravan to Cairo.
The buses pulled away from the port area and meandered through Port Said to the highway to Cairo.  Along the left was the Suez Canal, though it was hidden from view by an embankment, to the right were small settlements and farms.  The area between the road and the canal was left natural, meaning it was a narrow slice of desert, irrigation provided needed water for the fields to the right.
Among the fields and houses to the right were conical structures pierced with rows of openings.  Pigeon houses.  In the middle east pigeons are widely consumed as a source of protein.  These are not the scavengers that most people see in the city, but basically 'free range' pigeons.  Their diet consists of insects and seeds from the surrounding fields, making for a healthy meat.
As we approached Cairo, the landscape changes to developments featuring large villas.  This was where Cairo's 'elite' lived.  There we many international schools and car dealers in between the neighborhoods.  The closer we approached the city, the villas became large apartment blocks that became closer together and less lavish.  Once in the city, the apartments appeared to be incomplete, no windows, outside walls not finished, concrete piers for additional floors protruded from roofs, but the roof was covered with satellite dishes.  Tax laws, unfinished buildings are not taxed, so by not completing the buildings, no property taxes were owed.  Strange system that produces a not too attractive city.  Near the airport were more gated compounds of villas.  This was the area where many former 'elite' of the government lived.  With the new government on its way, many futures were in doubt.
Metropolitan Cairo straddles the Nile River.  In the ancient world, the east bank was the City of the Living and the west was the City of the Dead.  Cairo itself is on the east bank and was the city for the living residents, the Pyramids were on the west bank.  The urban sprawl has encroached on the ancient wonders by the city of Giza.  A few blocks from the Pyramids there was a highly polluted canal in the road's median, trash, plastic bottles and tires were floating in the water and lining the banks.  As we continued driving, we passed a person swimming in the polluted water.  EEEWWWW!!!
Finally, the bus arrives at the Pyramids.  They are as impressive as I thought they would be.  Large stone structures rising from the desert.  After a brief history of the structures we were allowed to wander up to the structures.  The largest does have a roped off area at the base to keep visitors away from falling rocks, through you can approach the others.  There is a small area that shows the original smooth covering stones that have been worn away or removed.

At the base of the plateau is the Sphinx.  The sculpture of a lion with the head of a human.  Time has not been kind the structure.  The nose and beard have fallen off and the smooth surface has been pitted from years of sandstorms and erosion.  Even in its current condition it is a sight to experience.  the title for this post of $1....$1, is from the hawkers at the Pyramids, everything was $1.  The best was to get rid of them was No hablo Ingles.
As with any good shore excursion, the next stop was SHOPPING.  The driver managed to navigate the congested and confusing Cairo streets.  I should also mention that we had a police escort.  When the bus approached a red light, on came the lights and siren, and we went through the intersection.  The store for shopping was very nice, it had a wide range of products and many that were made in Egypt.  I picked up a few gifts for my family.

Our last stop for the day was a lunch cruise on the Nile.  The food was very good, a combination of local and American dishes.  Even the familiar dishes had a local spin with the herbs and spices used.  Entertainment included a belly dancer and a 'whirling dervish', both of which were enjoyable.  Afterwards, there was time for watching the city from the open deck on the upper level.
Once back on the bus, we started the journey to the Pacific Princess in Port Said.  There were at least three buses in a row, ours being the middle, and speeding down the highway among the many unfinished buildings.  Watching out the window, I saw the rear tire explode.  As the bus filed with that funky old tire air, the driver managed to cross 6 lanes of traffic to the shoulder.  The roadway was elevated about 4 stories above grade,  offering a view into the tenements.  Within minutes the windows were filled with the residents waving and smiling at the stranded tourists.  From the time the tire blew out and we were loaded on one of the empty buses, was maybe 10 minutes.  Being very observant, I think I was the only one that noticed that the guard had un-holstered his machine gun.  It was no longer concealed under his jacket, but was hanging next to his thigh while we transferred buses.

Once on the new bus, the trip continued with anymore excitement.  The convoy slowly reformed at a toll plaza, with our guard vehicles.  Upon arrival at the port, the promenade overlooking the area was lined with locals, also waving and smiling.  The Pacific Princess was only the 6th ship that year to dock in Port Said because of the country's unrest, and they were happy to see things returning to normal.

Israel - Day 2

After a very comfortable night's sleep and tasty buffet breakfast, our group boarded the bus again to continue the tour of Israel.  Today's itinerary would circle the Sea of Galilee to the north of Jerusalem.  Along the way the countryside was dotted with small towns, Bedouin settlements and date groves.

Our first stop was a kibbutz that recreated where Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan.  The was a large gift shop with various products ranging from religious to Dead Sea products.  A large terrace area overlooked the river and steps lead down to the water.  People were in the water being baptized as the crowds milled around watching the proceedings.  This is not the actual spot where Jesus was baptized, the actual site is in Jordan, so this was a recreation.
The drive continued north to the location of the Sermon on the Mount.  The large hill offers a panoramic view of the northern end of the Sea of Galilee, and is crowned by a small church.  One of the tour members read from the New Testament as we stood on the terrace taking in the view.
At the base of the hill was the ruins of a town.  In the town were the remains of Peter the Apostle's house.  There were Roman ruins of the town which we wandered around that included grinding stones for milling grains among other items.  There were additional ships in port and this site was very crowded.

Lunch was served at a kibbutz on the eastern shore at the base of the Golan Heights.  There were several appetizer plates on the table when we were seated.  The liver pate with caramelized onions was delicious, and since no one else cared for it, most ended up on my plate.  Since the kibbutz raises cattle, lunch was steak.  Small individual desserts topped off lunch.  Since the kibbutz is self supporting, there was a  general store on the other side of the room.  Everything from fresh meat, to spices to pots to cook with.  The spices were sold in bulk, and covered a large table.
Our last stop before returning to the Pacific Princess was Nazareth.  There is a church built on the location where Joseph and Mary had their house.  There is also an enclosed ruin that is supposed to be the actual house, I accepted it was a representation of a house of that time period.  The actual town of Nazareth had grown into a small city.  There were crooked streets lined with apartments above store fronts.  After a brief tour we boarded the bus back to Haifa.

When on a cruise, there is a time given for all passengers to return to the ships so it can depart on time.  Just before this time, passengers names will be called that have not returned, and if they were on board please contact the purser.  Well, at 5:15, the names of 6 passengers were announced, two of them our tablemates.  A few minutes later, it was just those two.  The Pacific Princess was supposed to depart at 5:30, at 6:15 3 passengers were dropped off at the gangway.  It turns out they were on an excursion and had a minor medical issue, but had contacted the ship, so they were aware of the situation.
A few passengers had gathered on the upper deck to watch for the returning 'Gems of the Seas'.  At 6:40 a car swerved around the barricades at the end of the pier and sped towards the gangway.  Out of the car emerged E and J and the driver.  Watching from 10 decks up it was easy to see the driver was very mad from his body motions.  After  brief discussion, he grabbed the immigration paper from E, got in his car and drove off, E and J boarded, and the ship departed.
As usual, E and J were late to dinner, and the question of what happened was asked.  They had taken the train to Jerusalem on the first day to explore the city.  They wandered around the old city and did some shopping.  It was unclear exactly what went on, but E ended up behind the counter in one store with the owner, where he 'stole two kisses'.  It seems she allowed at least the first one.  They spent the night in a hostel that had partial walls, curtain separations and a shared bath, a little different than their shipboard accommodations.
This where the story versions start to differ.  E said they went to the train station at 3:15, J said E was haggling over gold jewelry and was reminded of the time which was already 3:15.  So they got to the train station late and missed the train, the bus would not be fast enough, so they got in a taxi.  The standard fare from Jerusalem to Haifa is 700 shekels, they only had 300.  They told the driver they had the 300 and he would be paid at the ship.  Once at the entrance to the port, the Princess port agent, the driver of the car, met up with the pair and paid off the cab driver the additional 400 shekels.  E thought that had gotten off easy.
The following day they were called to Guest Services and informed of the charge for about $125 for the cab fare.  E thought this was wrong since they told him how much they would pay.  But since English was not his first language, he understood they had some money with them and rest was on the ship.  We told her that was not bad because the ship could have left them and they would have to fly to the next port.  E was that would be bad PR and they would not leave them, obviously she has never been on a cruise where passengers had been left, because it does happen.

Israel - Day 1

The original itinerary was for one night in Haifa, followed by one night ins Ashod, but because of some unrest in Ashod, the Pacific Princess remained in Haifa for two nights.  This did not effect our excursion, since ours included and overnight stay in Jerusalem.  The only request from the ship was if you were going to stay on land to let them know.  But more on this later.
Haifa is a port city, and only recently a cruise destination.  This means the port itself is not very attractive.  But the city itself rises up the slopes of a small mountain.  The most recognizable site is the Baha'i Temples and its gardens, unfortunately our tour did not include this site, but it was visible from the ship.
After meeting in the lounge, our group departed for the bus and the drive to Jerusalem.  The driver navigated the streets of Haifa and we entered onto a highway like any interstate at home.  The trip was about two hours and passed fields, towns and memorials.  On our rest break I sampled fresh made tahini, ground sesame seeds, and a sweetened candy-like version.
Once in Jerusalem, we drove to the Mount of Olives for a view of the Old City.  The view was impressive with the city wall, the Dome of the Rock and many other Biblical sites.  The next stop was the Church of All Nations which is located in the Garden of Gethsemane.  There was a very large crowd waiting to enter the church, but our guide knew the staff and our group was allowed to go in through the exit cutting out an hour's wait in line.  Both of these locations were mentioned multiple times in the New Testament with the travels of Jesus.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient writings in Hebrew of the Bible, found by a Bedouin herder in caves near the Dead Sea, they are housed at the Israel Museum.  In the courtyard of the museum is a 50:1 scale model of Jerusalem in the year 66.  It is amazing in its detail, and some of the structures are still identifiable in the modern city.  Inside the museum is the display of the scrolls along with the history of their discovery.  The original clay jars from the first scrolls discovered are also on display.  The scrolls are arranged around the outside of the display area and in a circular center section.  A short stroll through the sculpture garden then back on the bus.
Due to urban sprawl, the city of Jerusalem and the town of Bethlehem run together.  I had always thought they were farther apart then the approximately 5 miles.  We went in the church that was built over the site believed to be the manger where Jesus was born.  There was a service in progress and the line to the 'grotto' was extremely long, so our resourceful guide took up around so we could glance in.  Lunch at a restaurant wa included.  It consisted of the local cuisine and  some items to appeal to American tastes.

Back in the Old City, we wandered through the narrow alleys lined with shops to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher  built on the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of Jesus.  The  church was dark and imposing in the deepening night.  Once inside we climbed to the chapel believed to be on the actual site, then to the tomb, also inside the church.  A memorial mass was being conducted so the was quite a crowd.  More narrow alleys and then we were in the open space before the Western Wall, part of the original temple.  To approach the Wall, men needed to cover their heads, and males and females were separated to different areas.
Once we arrived at out hotel, The Dan, we checked had a few minutes then to dinner.  Luckily the meal was served in hotel buffet style in a ballroom.  Being in Israel, all the food was Kosher, but there was a wide variety of options, of of which were delicious, and multiple bottles of wine.
The night time entertainment was a light show in the courtyard of a guard tower on the city wall.  It was very well planned with a walk along the inside perimeter of the wall with various vignettes in the alcoves.  The actual show was projected on the interior walls.  It was a show of the history of Jerusalem and I thought it was very good.  Of course was had to take in all the details because of the size of the projection.

The one thing that REALLY surprised me about Jerusalem was how hilly it was, and the fact that they were STEEP hills.  I thought it would be on rolling hills, not some that were more like cliffs.

Patmos

Biblical historians believe the Book of Revelation was revealed to John on the island of Patmos.  Situated not far from Turkey, it is one of the many Greek Isles that dot the Aegean Sea, east of the Greek mainland.  It is a relatively small island, and is much longer than wide.  The highest point of the island is crowned with an ancient monastery.

The harbor, used for centuries by fisherman, was too shallow for even the Pacific Princess, so we were tendered to land.  Our tour bus took us to the grotto where the Book of Revelation was revealed.  The is a shrine built on the location and looks like a small church.  After re-boarding the bus, we continued to the monastery.

The location was incredible.  But when it was built, it was also a fort, place strategically on the highest point, commanding a 360 view of the surrounding area.  Once inside it was a maze of hallways and courtyards.  The chapels contain icons from the middle ages.  On one of the upper levels is a museum with artifacts of the monastery, and many religious items.

We then explored the adjacent hilltop town.  They winding streets lined with white-washed houses was the idyllic Greek Isle.  The various owners painted the front doors individual colors, and bouganvilla draped over garden walls added additional color.  One of the stops was a private home that has been in the same family for centuries.  The owner was a charming older woman with family stories of Russian trips, European vacations and times past..

The final stop in Patmos before the required shopping was at a family owned tavern.  We had a delicious snack of local food and the staff did traditional dances.  The family across the table had met our dinner table mates.  The mother had been in a ladies restroom when E arrived.  She proceeded to enter and Out of Order stall and get locked in.  She did not pay any attention to the LARGE sign warning of difficulties.  So she is in the stall pounding on the door and screaming.  Does not surprise me.  The name derived for them was Special Gems of the Sea.

Back at the port, we wandered around the streets with various shops.  It was very quaint and the shop owners were not pushy, always a benefit.  Besides the tourist shops there were some small cafes that catered to the locals.  They were enjoying the sunshine with a small afternoon snack.  After a few little purchases, we boarded the tender to return to the Pacific Princess.

At dinner we discussed our day's adventure.  Since the island is small most of the excursions overlapped.  But the interesting event was that E tried to get on a different bus, she claimed hers had no a/c.  She had taken the bus as a shuttle, and not a tour, so she was asked to leave.  Then J revealed that back in town E got on a scooter with a man she had only met once and rode off for 45 minutes.  CRAZY