Trip to the Mediterranean Part 2 - cruise part 1

We boarded our ship - Royal Carribbean Rhapsody of the Seas and enjoyed our first day at sea as we made our way to the island of Crete.

The food was excellent and the staff was very accommodating.  They even put together tables to make it possible for us our group of 13 to sit at the same table.

Below are pictures of us on the first formal night.

 Allison and Jon

 Hailey and Conrad

Evan and Kelly

 Hal and Patty

James and Tricia

 Preston and Hal

Adam and Jessica

We participated in the activities aboard the ship - trivia games, dance lessons  and even karaoke nights.  I must admit that some of our group even visited the on board casino and lost a few euros.

 Evan singing

Tricia singing

They both did a great job!!

The Island of Crete

We stopped at the port of Chania, Crete - the largest of the Greek Islands.  Old Town Chania has a charming old harbor known as Venetian Port.

 In Venetian Port, there is also an old lighthouse.

 Photo bombing did occur in more than one picture taken on this trip!

 The kids hiked out to the lighthouse to take more photos.  Tricia was our self appointed "tour guide" - keeping our group together with a stuffed animal known as Bambi fastened to a selfie stick!  

 In Old Town, we found a spa that featured pedicures given by putting your feet into a tank of tiny carp and letting them remove dead skin by nibbling on your toes and feet.  The girls all decided to give this treatment a try.  With gasps and screams we all put our feet into our tanks at the same time (except Kelly - she just couldn't do it).  I must admit it was a bit creepy and it tickled!!

Once in the tank, we left our feet there for 15 minutes!  It did get easier after the initial shock, but I was glad when my treatment was complete.  I will say that it did soften my feet and get rid of callouses but it was creepy!

Fun loving Jon spotted some fish in the harbor waters and so of course, he had to try a fish pedicure too!

Chania Old Town

Mykonos, Greece

Our second port was the island of Mykonos.  With windmills and quaint white houses with blue doors and shutters, this was my dream island!!

 Mykonos is nicknamed "The island of winds" and windmills are plentiful and charming.

 The quaint houses and streets of  Chania

Ephesus (Kusadasi),Turkey

Our next stop was Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey.  

 Before going to the ruins of Epheseus, we stopped for a tour of the purported home that Mary - the mother of Christ - lived in after Christ's death and resurrection.  Legend has it that the apostle John brought Mary here for care and safety and that she lived out her days in this home.

 Some of our group exploring the area.

The remains of an ancient baptismal font are near the home.  After exploring this site, we traveled to the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus.

Ephesus

Ephesus was built in the 10th century BC.  Many impressive ruins and structures still remain.  Ephesus was once a harbor city next to the Aegean Sea but deforested hills and many rain storms washed silt down the river to the harbor and now Ephesus is 3 miles inland!  The apostle Paul lived in Ephesus for a time while he worked with a congregation of Christian converts and organized missionary work (Acts 19).  Ephesus was 1 of the 7 churches of Asia cited in the Book of Revelation.  

 Views of some of the ruins
Ephesus has the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean but only 15% are now excavated.

A view of the main street of Ephesus - Harbor Street- which leads to the silted up harbor.

This is a view of the remains of a public restroom built in Roman times.

Ephesus had the most advanced aqueduct system and bath complex of its time under Roman rule.

 Library of Celus was completed 135AD under Roman rule and named for the Roman Senator Celus.  This impressive structure once held over 12,000 scrolls.

 Allison and Jon on the library steps

 Jessica and Adam resting

It was hot that day and we did a lot of walking to see this ancient city so, when we found a spot of shade or a place to sit down - we took a break.

Preston, Patty and ancient columns

Evan and Kelly on the library steps

Taking a break on the steps leading into the Amphitheatre

While resting, I made a furry friend.

The Amphitheatre of Ephesus held 25,000 people.

Our group inside the amphitheatre

Our guys near Ephesus by a Catholic Church 

Our group with one of our cab drivers

After our tour, we returned to a shopping area near our ship.  The shopping in Turkey was the best of the trip!  They offered well made "knock-offs" of designer shirts, jeans, jackets, purses, silk scarves etc.

It was Allison's birthday - October 16th - one that she will never forget!

Back on board the ship she had a special treat and we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her!  We love you Allison!!

Santorini

Our next stop was the beautiful island of SanTorini - famous for its stunning white buildings with blue roofs. Santorini is the remnant of a volcanic erruption and is surrounded by 980 foot, steep cliffs on three sides.

The white roofs of the small city of Thera, Santorini almost look like snow as we sail toward this island!  You can see the winding road that leads up 980 feet to the top.

We opted to ride donkeys to the top - the climb up was long and steep - those donkeys got a huge workout!!

 Kelly and Evan on donkeys

 The view from the top!!

 There were 3 ships in the bay when we arrived and 2 more came later so Santorini was very crowded with tourists to say the least!!

 Shopping in Santorini

Beautiful Santorini!!  I love the blue against the white and the gorgeous blue of the sea!!!

The long walk down!

Hal and Preston with the statue in honor of the hard working donkeys on the island!!