Margaret and I had separate tours today, although we saw one place on both tours. Her tour was back to the ship in about 4 hours and mine took 8.5 hours. I chose the longer tour because it would give me a chance to learn about more than just the Christian history of this part of Turkey. Both tours left very early around 7:30 so we were ready for breakfast around 6:30 only to discover that the dining room did not open until 7:30. We were forced to go to the buffet at the Windjammer which Margaret does not like. It was so crowded that it took most of our time just to find a place to sit. I sent Margaret off to find her breakfast, and then I went looking. After about 10 minutes of eating we needed to leave for the staging area. Margaret had taken medications that needed food and so did not fell well during much of the morning and after she returned to the ship. She was feeling much better by evening and joined everyone for dinner.
I took medication that is to be followed by food within one hour and certainly had not had enough in the short time we actually ate. So I picked up a small box of Raisin Bran which I ate while waiting for my group to be called to the buses. I also had an orange which I ate before the tour and an apple which I had mid morning. Luckily, because lunch was not until almost 2:30.
However, despite the rocky start, Margaret and I both enjoyed our trips. My day began at Ephesus, a large historic site dating back to several centuries BC. It was a large city for many years before simply being abandoned after a series of regular earthquakes every 10 or so years. There is an archaeological museum which we did not see, but did enter through the Magnesia Gate near the Odeon.
There is a Fountain of Trajan, the Steam Baths and toilets near another brothel, the Temple of Hadrian and Library of Celcius.
The largest outdoor theater is in Ephesus and is estimated to have held 24,000 people – St Paul is said to have preached here as well as next to the Acropolis back in Athens. We walked the Arcadian Way where Antony and Cleopatra were to have rode through Ephesus. Today we saw street performers showing what might have happened on that day.
A short bus ride took us to Magnesia next where we were unable to see all that has been uncovered because of recent heavy rains. Portions of the site were under water or mud. However there were a couple of really interesting buildings to photograph standing in the water. This particular city became know for the stones that attracted and repelled each other – magnets as we know them today. The site is still being excavated and there is not too much signage as yet. Our guide did a good job keeping us informed here as well - the walkie-talkie receiver and ear bugs worked well.
Miletus was close and our next stop. We entered up several sets of very tall steps into the Roman Theater. Not as large as the one in Ephesus, but perhaps a bit better preserved.
I was not willing to follow the group as they climbed the very steep steps up into the seats with no rail or chain for assistance. And I thought they would be coming down another similar set of steps. However,the group actually left the theater through a lower entrance, but as soon as they went into the tunnel the connection through the speaker system we were all wearing in our ears quit reaching my set. So I made my way out of the theater the same way we entered, and waited for the group to return. I spent time in the 'bone yard', my term for the areas outside the ruins we had been visiting where artifacts have been placed after discovery and before their proper location is determined in the restoration.
Our next stop was the town of Didyma where we had a traditional Turkish buffet of hot and cold dishes as appetizers and our choice of fresh fish or chicken as our entry. I chose fish which was very good except it was full of small pointy bones, and this made eating it somewhat difficult. Dessert was either fresh fruit which we were warned against, although many of the group ate them, and a honey cake and Turkish baklava. Nice and tasty although quite late. I was happy I had brought the apple for a mid morning snack.
When our guide announced that everyone should finish their photos and return to the bus, I headed back on my own.
We were still over an hour away from the ship and were scheduled to stop in a carpet factory at the pier. When we arrived, I begged forgiveness of the guide and came directly back to the ship where I found Margaret dozing as she recovered from her morning without breakfast.
Dinner was with the group as it has been the other days. Most were planning to see the evening show either in the big theater or in one of the smaller bars. I have been doing neither as the music in most venues is much too loud even with earplugs. So I have been working on my diary to be ready to upload to the blog, or spending a few hours in the casino. So far I am not winning, but I'm having fun.
May 24, 2010
Today is a day at sea with sunny warm weather and little to do. Margaret was gone when I awakened around 9:30 am. I leisurely got ready for my day which contained only one must-do. Early in the afternoon we are to get our passports back, as Egypt requires their use. All other countries until Egypt have accepted our Sea Pass cards issued by the cruise company as we board as if it were a passport, although it does not contain a photo. One is embedded on the strip when a photo is taken as you board the ship and use the Sea Pass for the first time. I can't imagine that the strips can be read anywhere other than on the Navigator. It has felt really weird to be in a foreign country without any photo ID. I left my drivers license at home which is the only other photo ID in my possession. However, so far I have been off the ship only with Royal Caribbean excursions.
I arrived for a late breakfast just in time for breakfast and about 20 minutes before the Windjammer buffet switched to lunch. Only part of the large buffet was still working as breakfast, but I managed to find something that interested me. I met up with Audrey, Dana, June and her mother Arlene. We got caught up on everything we had been doing, sometimes the same thing but with different tour group buses. Yesterday, most of us went to Ephesus and then the Virgin Mary's home, which I did not see on my slightly different and longer trip described in yesterday's post. Margaret told me that it was a tiny 2-room home with a special wall where people, especially women, tie requests to Mary for a healthy child, marriage or other needs of the woman. Our bus guide described the home as also having a 'promise' tree, but Margaret does not remember seeing a tree filled with ribbons. Perhaps I misunderstood my guide when he was talking about this, and he was describing the wall which I imagined as a tree.
Around 12:45 I got in line at the wrong dining room, and was happy when the correct dining room was announced for our cabin floor. Margaret arrived soon after I entered the correct line, so we moved through the easy process together. I think we keep our passports now, even though we still have one more port after two days in Alexandria.
Dinner tonight was preceded by a cocktail party in our cabin since we have a balcony. Organized by Barbara and Dave, several folks brought wine to share, and I went to the Windjammer to find the fixin's for hor d'oeurves: crusty brown bread, wheat rolls, several types of cheese in small slices and fresh warm raisin and cranberry scones. Several guests added some fruit which we cut using a pocket knife brought by Glennor and Bob. Tonight was another formal night, and Michael Gannon in his white tux made quite a statement. Several photographs of him were taken by some women in the group. In addition to Margaret and me, we welcomed Barb and Dave, Glennor and Bob, Michael and Joanie, Arlene and June – I think that's all.
After dinner I hoped to catch the final showing of Julie and Julia, but it was too late. So I went to the casino where I came home with some of the money I had lost. The last machine I played was very generous. I have not found a machine that is ready to give up large amounts yet, so I am behind quite a bit on what I have played. However, I have been mostly playing the penny and two-penny machines and you can't lose too much on them.
Margaret was returning to the cabin after the evening show just as I was walking the hallway from the other direction. Great timing. We weren't too long opening the door and lowering the air conditioning. And, we were not too long getting into bed to read before turning off our lights.
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