June 30 2014 Kusadasi Turkey

June 30 2014 Kusadasi Turkey

Today we were along the West Coast of Turkey, the ancient port city.  The archeological site of Ephesus, is the most important site in Turkey.  

We were scheduled for a private tour of Ephesus as well as lunch at a Turkish farmhouse.  We in fact did this tour last year and loved it so much, we are back again and will do it again on July 18^th with Michael’s parents and Scott and Lynn.  Chuck, our travel agent from All Seasons Travel arranged everything for us.  He has a travel agency in Kusadasi who belongs to the Ensemble Travel Group and are licensed tour guides for Turkey.  It is a family run business, and we were hosted again by Ata, the brother to Asli, who owns the agency.  She is so kind to us.  So, everything we did today was arranged through Chuck, so everything I describe was part of our tour.  We paid $99 US dollars for the whole day.  

Ata picked us up right as we got off the ship at 8:00 a.m.  We headed straight to Ephesus, so we would get there before the 35 or so Disney Cruise Line buses. We were in a van that seats 12 people.  It was a top of the line tour van.  Ata sat in the front and turned around backwards to talk to us the whole time.  There were only 4 of us in our tour group.  They had two other private groups from the ship.  We got to lunch as the 1^st group left and there were 5 in that group.

Anyway, we arrived at Ephesus right after it opened.  Takes about 30 minutes or so to get there.  The first picture I have is of the terra cotta pipes that are 3,000 years old, the Amphitheater and then some miscellaneous pictures of gates, fountains and monuments.  Along the way to Ephesus we passed the jail that St. Peter was in for 2 years after preaching Christianity to the Ephesians.

We went to the Temple of Domitian who served the Imperial Cult from 81 – 96 AD.  The temple was dedicated to Emperor Domitian.

We were ahead of the crowds, which was really great.  Ata explained everything as we went along.  As it was getting really hot, we entered the terrace houses (the price to Ephesus and the terrace houses was included in our tour price).  Ata showed us a piece of marble and then poured water on it to bring out the colors of the marble.  The terrace houses would have been beautiful during their time.  There were 7 apartments (dwellings) in this group of terrace houses that are being restored.

Guess what the next picture is….

These are the public toilets.  The front where there looks like there is a channel is wear the clean water ran down. I guess they brought their own sea sponge to clean up after going to the bathroom. The toilet seats even have the curve in the back of the marble for your bum.

Then we headed the Library of Celsus which was built between 100 and 110 AD.

We passed the commercial market which was built between 27 BC and 14 AD

We then went to a less walked path and Ata showed us the restoration that is currently going on.  The excavators are not sure yet what kind of building they are uncovering.  I can tell it is a slow process

We visited the outdoor stadium and Michael even sang a song because the acoustics are so good inside.  The hold concerts there.  Not sure if they still do it though.  Some of it is fenced off because the seats are crumbling.

We came across a pear tree and Ata encouraged Michael to get some pears.  So Michael climbed up in the tree, shook it and we got some pears.  They were very delicious.

As we exited Ephesus we stopped and got some fresh orange juice and I have to take a picture of this vendor’s sign

We then headed to Ata’s family farmhouse.  This was such an incredible lunch last year we were excited to do it again.  The family did not disappoint.  We had wonderful appetizers and main course with homemade lemonade that is to die for.  The family runs the farm and grows their own vegetables and has fruit trees.  If they don't have the vegetables, they get everything from local farmers.  There are dogs, cats, ducks, roosters, chickens and other animals roaming the farm.  Asli (the sister who has the travel agency) told us the horses are coming up next week.  The family fixed us a traditional Turkish luncheon.  We sat outside with trees all around and it was nice and cool while we sat and visited with the family.  Mama was there and was happy to see us again.

Last year we went to St. Johns Basilica and climbed the tower, so this year we decided to go to the Cemetery of the Seven Sleepers.  According to legend, young men sought refuge in a cave from the persecution of Christians and slept for centuries.

After we finished at the Seven Sleepers we stopped and watched the Turkish women making homemade flatbread and cooking it on the open pit outside. 

We also did St. Mary’s last year and are going to do it in two weeks when we are back, so we decided to go into town and check out the local culture.  This of course included Michael going to the market to purchase some of the local wine.  I don’t drink wine, so I couldn’t tell you if he likes it or not.

After that we went to the Rug School and Factory and I was taught how they make the rugs.  They are all done by hand and take a long time to make.  It is kind of becoming a dying art because the young girls are not interested in making rugs.  So the school hopefully teaches them the art and they will continue with the tradition.

We then headed back towards Kusadasi and stopped to take pictures along the way.  Got back to the ship at 3:15 p.m.  All aboard time was 4:45 p.m., so we had plenty of time to shop right at the port and there were some good deals to be had. I didn’t purchase anything since I will be back again in another week or so.

Everyone was onboard on time.  The anchor was pulled up about 4:50 and we were on our way by 5 p.m.

On my way to Bingo, I ran into Belle who was reading a story to a couple of kids.  Reminded me of when Jamie was little and I would go in the kid's club to get her and she would be sitting in one of the Princesses lap being read a story.

Went to the Walt Disney Theater for Twice Charmed.  I love that show.  Jeanna still plays the part of Druscilla (one of the step sisters to Cinderella) and she does a phenominal job.  She is a wonderful performer.

Tonight was the Mediterranean menu.  It was pretty good.  Nothing out of this world.

Pietro came by our table after dinner and joined us to visit for about 30 minutes. He goes on holiday after this cruise and then will be moving to the Dream.

Went to Fathoms to check out the comedy show with these guys Lost Locos Ole’.  They play guitars and put comedy in their routine.  I wasn’t really enjoying it, so I headed back to the room to type my trip report and watch The Lion King.  Now I have Finding Nemo on the television.

When I got back to the room, I had another nice card from the captain and a gift from the cruise line of hand towels commemorating our voyage from the home port of Venice.

We get into Rhodes, Greece tomorrow at 7:15 a.m.  The city is suppose to be right by the port so we are doing our own thing tomorrow to walk to the historic part of town and explore.  Michael has done some research and has highlighted the things we need to see.

Good night from the Magic!

June 29 2014 Athens Greece

June 29 2014

Today we visited Athens.  The Port of Piraeus is where we docked. Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece. Its’ history spans over 3,400 years!

We were scheduled to dock at 8:15 a.m., however the Harbor Master did not let us enter until 9:15 a.m. so we were an hour late arriving.  Brent, the cruise director, came on the speakers and announced that all the port adventure times had been pushed back 1 hour.  We sat out on the ocean just outside the harbor for that hour waiting for the pilot to board so we could come in.  It was a beautiful morning on deck 10 and was a great view of the city of Athens.

Today we had a private tour scheduled with a driver that Michael arranged.  We paid $42.50 euros each, plus the admission fees to the Temple of Poseidon ($4 euros) and The Acropolis of Athens ($12 euros).  

First we stopped at Vouliagmeni Lake.  It is fed by 80% spring water from the ground and 20% ocean.  Many locals go there because it is said to have healing powers.  Our driver gave us some Greek bread to eat while we walked around the lake to take pictures.  There are even little fish in the water that will clean your dry skin!

Next, we wanted to visit a new place since we came to Athens last year, so Michael  arranged for us to visit the Temple of Poseidon which was south of Athens 1 ½ hours.  We took the coastline, stopping for pictures along the way.  Every beach was packed. Our driver told us Sundays were the busiest day on the coast because all the Greeks go to the beach.  

We arrived at Sounion which is the Temple of Poseidon.  It is on the rocky peninsula at the south east tip of Attica.  The Athenians built sanctuaries to their two most important deities:  Poseidon and Athena.  The temple of Poseidon, god of the sea, was built on the summit of the rock which rises 180 feet above the sea. It is surrounded by walls; two temples to Athena Sounias were erected.  This dates back to as early at 10 BC.  The temple was destroyed during the Persian invasion, before it was completed.  There was another temple built, a marble Doric peripteral temple with 6 x 13 columns. The ships entered below and there was a tunnel where the ships were kept to be protected.

We then headed back towards Athens and stopped to get ice cream. Our driver bought us all bottles of water so we would keep hydrated.  Once again it was a very hot day.  However, at the Temple of Poseidon it was very comfortable temperature wise because the wind was blowing so hard.  I guess that is what happens when you are 180 feet above the sea on a rocky cliff!

We then went to the Acropolis of Athens.  The sacred rock of the Acropolis was for many centuries the most important religious centre of the city of Athens.  It became home to the cult of Athena, patron goddess of the city that took her name.  The building was erected in the years 437-432 BC.  The Parthenon was the temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena. 

We then headed down to the temple of Zeus which is right in the city of Athens.  It was partially destroyed by earthquakes, but some of the pillars still exist today.

We then drove by the Olympic Stadium where the marathoners end their 26.2 mile race for the Olympics. The city still uses the stadium in May of each year when Athens holds a marathon.  It is still the finish line for that race also.

Next we went to the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace. These young men serve in the military for 2 years.  (I guess every man is required to be in the military).  They change guard every hour and have a formal ceremony.  They do it in sleet, snow, sunshine and heat. Don’t know how they do it in the heat in those uniforms.  The skirts have 400 pleats in them. The socks must be hot!

We then drove to the top of the hill overlooking Athens called St. George's Chapel.  You can see the Acropolis from St. George's Chapel and get beautiful views of the city.

Our next destinatin was driving through the city by the university, the parliament and other important buildings. After that we decided we were tired and ready to go back to the ship.  It was about 5 p.m. All aboard time was 6:45 p.m., so we had plenty of time before the ship left.

All aboard was 6:45 p.m.  We left on time.

Tonight we celebrated Greece by having a Greek menu.  For my appetizer I had the Spanakopita which was rolls of Filo Pastry stuffed with Spinach and Feta Cheese.  For my main course, I had the Yoghurt Marinated Chicken and Fennel Kabobs.  I wasn’t too crazy about them. And they were more on the warm side than hot.  For dessert they have Baklova.  I have to say I enjoyed my greek lunch at Olympia much more than the dinner tonight.  It is quite a difference when the locals fix and serve the food.

We got bandanas that said “Greek Isles” Disney Cruise Line, Disney Magic, June 26, 2014.  Of course, after dinner the dining room staff did a celebration of Greece and we all waived our bandanas yelling “Opa”.  Then we got to get up and do some greek dancing with our servers.  Michael was dancing with Alvin’s wife who is now an assistant server in the dining room and no longer working in the bar.  

Then we headed over to Fathom’s to see the Walt Disney Theater Performers dance for 70’s night.  Joey, who is one of the performers, didn’t dance tonight, but was in the bar and we had a chance to say hi again since we knew him from spending 28 nights on the Magic last year.

Keith was then chosen to do Kung Fu Fighting and then afterwards we got a picture with Keith and Maroly together.

It was a long and exhausting day.  Midnight now.  Our tour in Turkey starts tomorrow at 8 a.m.  We are on another private tour (which we actually did last year).  Chuck, our friend and travel agent, was with us last summer and arranged it.  It is such an incredible tour we are doing it again this cruise and again when Michael’s parents and Scott and Lynn join us on July 14^th.  One of the highlights is going to the family’s farmhouse and grandma fixes us the traditional Turkish lunch.  The food was one of the highlights of the trip.  We will also be visiting St. John’s, Ephesus and a couple other places.

Goodnight from the Disney Magic!