25 May Thursday Ashdod, Israel
This was quite a day. We were up at 0530, breakfast, into the boarding room at 0630 and onto the bus, departing at 0700 for our "Jerusalem Leisurely" excursion.
Our bus headed for Jerusalem. In the lowlands along the coast there are farms and coastal highways, then we started laboring uphill on a good four-lane road. The buildings started getting more numerous, then thick, then tall. We arrived after an hour plus at the viewpoint on the Mount of Olives that affords a great view The Mount of Olives is East of the Temple Mount across a valley - Gethsemane is in the valley and the Temple Mount is on the next hill West.
Our guide pointed out the feature points on the Temple Mount we could see - the Dome on the Rock, the Muslim Mosque, etc. He gave a good lecture on the reasons three churches regard it as a Holy Place, and noted that 98% of the residents get along just fine - it's the 2% that stir up trouble.
We went down the hill to stop at the Dominican "Church of all Natiopns" at the Garden of Gethsemane. An impressive building and interior - see pictures. The garden of flowers and plants and ancient olive trees next to the building was nice. People of all colors and wearing all sorts of dress and speaking many languages were in and out of the church.
The next stop was the Western Wall. This was confusing because today is a holy day for Jews. There were several Bar Mitzvah ceremonies on the path into the wall. Each young now-adult male was under a canopy, drums and horns were playing in his honor, one group started the circular dance to "Have´ Nagela" and having a great time. But it was hard for us to get past them. Once in, we visited the rest rooms, then listened to our guides lecture on history and how to approach the wall. Men in one area, women in another. Men approaching are given a head covering if not wearing one, to be returned on exiting. We both approached the wall.
We went out the exit past more Bar Mitzvahs to total confusion in the tour bus world (as we did exiting the Mount of Olives). Very busy place, maybe partially due to the holiday.
We were taken to the Olive Tree hotel north of Old Town Jerusalem for a buffet lunch with Isreali wines. Gorgeous hotel, good food. We visited the gift shop and with much help from the young attendant made some purchases. Then the bus went around the block to the back of the hotel, down one level, so people could look into the really big gift shop.
We were then driven thru traffic to a great overview of the whole city so we could get pictures and listen to our excellent guide expound on it. I must note that traffic was terrible with big buses on tiny streets for any journey above.
After the overview we were driven around the city to see the various neighborhoods, then through the government's buildings - Supreme Court, Knesset, etc. impressive.
Then we drove the inbound route in reverse to get back to the ship. Rating: Excellent tour for folks who have lowered endurance.
We dumped our goodies in the stateroom and went to the Living Room for trivia and WON. Then back to the cabin to do some of these notes before dinner.
Dinner was taken in the Patio with their Halibut special. It was very good, Jerome serving. Returned to cabin to think on whether we want to do an more - or crash. We crashed.
Photo Link O
The ship is in position 33*07.16'N, 031*34.65'E making 17.4 knots on course 296* for Crete. SS 0, flat. High cirrus clouds. Now that we're north of home, it's cooler. Captain says high temp 71*f tomorrow on Crete. Brrrr..
We were told last night that there was an issue with the port people and that we might not get underway until 2200. D believes that was the case, causing us to increase speed to make Heraklion on time.
D did her jewelry making class. Went to lunch in Patio - started raining while there.
At 1400 we attended the ship's lecture on Greek Myths. Weird group, they are.
Later we did the Trivia with poor results, but so it goes.
Dinner in Discoveries Dining Room, new brand of Sauvignon Blanc. Good food, adequate wine.
Then the festivities started. In the Cabaret, the High Seas Choir sang a few selections. This is a volunteer group that met for an hour or two a day on at-sea days to organize and practice. They were good, and everyone enjoyed them. Naturally, D's friend Shirley was part of the group and gave the thanks at the end.
The ship's entertainment group then did a show of songs they like - not any forced routine. Since the two cruise directors are going off on vacation tomorrow, this was the only time anyone would see this show. Apollo was brilliant, the others outstanding.
We had good-night drinks in the Living Room with Shirley and then to the stateroom and bed.
27 May Heraklion, Crete, Greece
As we got up, the captain was taking the ship into the port. Breakfast in the Sunset Bar aft, even though it was breezy and cool. Then dress for the cloudy weather, rain threatening, day. To the bus for the monastery trip.
This place is one big mountain. We ran along the coast eastward then up into the hill. Slow going, many switchbacks, lots of tiny villages. We were fortunate in our guide - a lady from the Netherlands who has lived here at least part-time for 34 years. Proper English speaker, very knowledgeable.
The Keras Kardiotissas Monestery dates to the 1400's. We hopped out and were given a lecture in the ancient Orthodox church. Quite interesting but pictures not allowed. Then we had the opportunity to go through the shop, also photos prohibited. D bought a few things. The monastery cat begged to be petted so some of our group did that.
We departed to be taken to a viewpoint but we ran into the clouds before we got there. We continued into a geological basin where agriculture predominates. Small houses not painted, explained by they work in the fields and don't care what the house looks like.
Stopped next at a Taverna for lunch. Plates of nibblies of the fruits of the region - olives, feta, etc. with native red or white wine. Very nice. Our red wine was very drinkable but we couldn't define the grape it came from. We walked across the road into a small supermarket to appraise it - actually, it would do in any of our small towns. A few pieces of everything needed.
Back down the hill in the cloud - good driver. To the port where we were discharged to return to the ship. We had a quick lunch in the Patio, then off to Trivia. We didn't do well but had fun anyway.
Back then to the cabin where we started packing. We leave the ship tomorrow in Athens (sob).
We packed 80% or so, then went to dinner. Last show of the trip - eveyone did their own song - one they like.
A drink with Shirley and off to bed.
Photo Link O (for 5/26 & 5/27)
28 May Sunday Athens, Greece
We skipped breakfast in favor of getting off the ship quick. On departing, I said to the Captain "last 3 cruises were with you, let's make if four". He replied "we'll be here". Found our luggage and waited for our pre-purchased driver. He (a substitute, really) showed up and brought us to the Royal Olympic hotel.
Rooms not cleaned yet, so we left the luggage, walked three blocks to the HOHO red bus and took the first tour of the day. Nice day, sunny, in the 70*s. The trip was interesting but didn't have a historic emphasis.
We walked three blocks from the HOHO stop where we started, to get to the Acropolis Museum. This is an incredible, new, modern, facility built on top of an archeological site still being worked (Left). We grabbed some food in the restaurant and visited the book store. We entered the main museum (after O lost his ticket) and wandered the place. Lots of ancient pieces, many (most?) of them Roman. One sign said the sacking of Athens in AD460 actually helped preserve these artifacts because all buildings were torn down; later parts were used in newer buildings or left buried for us to find.
Then dozens (hundreds?) of middle-school kids entered (odd school thing for a Sunday). Our stamina went away about this time, so we resolved to return tomorrow and hobbled back to the hotel (4-5 blocks) and sat in the bar to wait for a room. A very nice desk lady had told us to check with her about a room at 1400, so we did. That slipped to 1430, then to 1435. Then we were assigned room 207 (which she said was an upgrade). Big, big room - great view out the front of the hotel of Hadrian's Temple of Zeus which some interpret as Zeus' tomb.
We intend to stay in the hotel for dinner. Maybe more later. Nope - dinner in bar on seventh floor, then relaxed and bed.
Photo Link O
29 May Monday - Memorial Day back home
Up, breakfast in the partially open restaurant with view on the seventh (top) floor. Sat in the sun, very nice. Except for lots of people, which we learned were two or thee bus tours. We ate what we could find, bought tickets on-line, then headed out.
Straight away back to the Acropolis Museum. We started by walking down the ramp to the actual dig site under the museum. Marveled at the ancient houses and squares and other structures found. Good signage. Not being actively worked right now ($$?). Talked with an oversight person who was very happy that we liked it and appreciated the work.
Then up into the museum. First floor galleries first, then decided to go to the top floor. That floor on top of the triangular floors is a rectangle oriented and proportioned to the Parthenon. There are 8 columns on the short end of the rectangle and 17 on the long end, just like the Parthenon. The friezes that surrounded the Parthenon are attached to the rectangle as they were - missing pieces are filled in with modern material. You really have to look at the web site and its photos and videos to appreciate the effort.
We bought another book in the bookstore, then wandered down the little street of schlock-shops and food stands, including a McDonalds. We stopped at one - D had a chicken-stick souvlaki with coke while O had a nice cold Greek beer.
Then we boarded the HOHO bus alternate route that goes to the beaches. It zipped down the main drag, then went east and west along the shore before returning. Sunny at the start, then cloudy and cool. Even felt some raindrops. We were pleased with the ride and pleased that it ended.
We took pictures of Hadrian's Arch. The columns that remain of Hadrian's Temple of Zeus are just behind it but fenced. We wanted to get back more than we wanted to get sort-of close to the work.
Then back across the street to the hotel to do computer chores and select a place to dine tonight. We'd almost finished this work when the hotel internet dumped. It came up, then went down again. Back up now.
We selected a small restaurant for dinner, a few blocks from the hotel and close to the museum. Named Liondi, it resembled an Italian trattoria. Small tables, close together, staff yelling back and forth, waiter clapping you on the back like a long-lost cousin, one main aisle with staff going back and forth on it but not colliding, mama at the cash register looking glum and ordering the cleanup people. Good food, though, and lots of laughs. D noticed an apparent lunatic across the street loudly addressing whomever came past (or nobody) on some subject - he was wearing a red coat with gold trim and a tri-corner hat. We wondered what he was up to but he left before we did. Then a hike back to the hotel and up to the seventh floor to get pictures of the lit Parthenon at night.
Then to bed.
Please go to the next page — homeward bound.
Link to Acropolis Museum
Photo Link O
