In retrospect I should have sprung for the mobile broadband card instead of relying on free wifi - that wasn't free (most places wanted you to purchase something, not a big deal) and in some cases a risk to my systems as my Facebook was hacked by someone in Switzerland. Oh well. Lesson learned.
I left off while we were in Rhodes. We had such a great experience there. We had a cab driver named Christos who took us on private tour of Lindos and dropped us off at the top of the old city wall. He was entertaining, informative, had a great sense of humor and we felt perfectly comfortable with him. The island is beautiful and I would love to go back. I found that each island had a distinct personality. Christos took us to places that either the large tour buses wouldn't/couldn't stop or he got us there after they had gone so we had more space and privacy to observe and take it all in.
Crete could have been better. My professor required the class to do a specific tour in Heraklion and the tour guide who was on our bus was not great. She was very monotone, talked too fast at times, was repetitive in an effort to be understood. I believe she was trying to do the best she could. Between her and the site itself - it was all underwhelming after being at Ephesus. The site in Crete is older and has great historical value but isn't as large or recovered as Ephesus. The site at Lindos, Rhodes was better too. Had we seen Crete first and built up to Ephesus it would have been better.
That same evening we pulled into Santorini. Too many clouds to get great shots but interesting all the same, so many islets. We had to use tender boats to get to shore because the cruise ship couldn't pull in - no dock for it and shallow waters. In fact, there was only one place to drop anchor at all. It took over an hour for our group to get on a tender boat and to shore, eating away our time on Santorini. We managed to get to shore and had a choice of riding a donkey up the hill, taking the tram/cable car up the hill, or walking up the hill on the same trail the donkey took. We were advised not to take the donkey downhill because they like to go really fast downhill and are a safety risk. We opted for the tram/cable car. Kind of a scary ride, not unlike a ride at the theme parks. Worth the journey. We had time to hit a few shops and we watched what we could see of the sunset through the clouds. My impression of Santorini is that this is the place you go to watch the sunsets while sitting in some Taverna, you play on the beaches, maybe do some water sports, wander around with no place to go in particular. This is a chill out destination.
As we were meeting our group from IUPUI for review and disembarkation procedures, those of us staying on in Athens through Friday evening were invited to meet at the Athens Cypria Hotel for dinner at 7:30pm. Alex's parents made the arrangements and we all met that evening
During the daylight hours Sheena, Danielle and I opted for the Hop On, Hop Off tour bus recommended by Alex's mom. It was like $18 Euros for a 24-hour pass. We did not optimize all of our options - we were just too tired. I have to say it was worth it because we still got to see a few things on our way to the Parthenon. Going to the Parthenon is equal to going to the Grand Canyon or seeing the White House - it's awe inspiring. The surrounding area you get dropped off at is a park setting all around. A 'licensed' tour guide tried to get us to hire her for 50 Euros - after she saw me pay the entrance fee with a 50 - and we declined. We just wanted to walk around, take it all in, take lots of pictures and just enjoy the beautiful weather. We can look up the details on line. After the tour guide experience in Crete I was over tour guides. Still not exactly sure how long we spent there but we took our time, sat down here and there to observe. It really is incredible.
Back to the square because we were just too tired and hungry. We stopped at Nikis Place for a light snack and found it very pleasant. We wandered around a bit more, found Alex's parents who confirmed dinner that night. So we get back to the hotel for a brief rest and get up to refresh for dinner.
We all met in the lobby and we had a good number of students with us, the parents and the professor. So they led the way and we made a wrong turn so the ten-minute walk became 20+, but hey, its part of the journey. It was all so worth it. We went to Filistron for dinner. Our reservation was for 2nd floor balcony dining where we could look out at the Parthenon and the Super Moon that night. It was an incredible view. The Parthenon is prettier at night from a distance than during the day. The food was fantastic too - best we had had all week. The cruise ship food is decent and will keep you going but not great. The other cafes we tried were all good, but Filistron was superior. It was a wonderful way to finish the week.
We slept in the next morning before we had to depart in the afternoon. Journey home wasn't bad, long, but no really bad. Lufthansa provides more amenities than United and has more leg room. The place was struck by lightening somewhere over Chicago/Northen Indiana. That made most of us jump. It hit on the wing on our side of the plane, was extremely loud and the flash was huge and red. In all my years of flying that was a first.
Have resumed most of my pre-vacation duties but my mind continues to wander back to Greece and I remember the motion of the ship all too well. It makes me want to be back on the water. I refused to admit to jet lag at first but it was futile. Had I been able to take another day or two to recover before returning to work but can't waste those precious vacation days. Next up is England and Germany to see Tracey and Alison. I'm excited as there is so much more I want to see in Europe - I've got a taste for it now.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Pics from ship and Turkey
It takes so long to upload but here are a few shots from the ship and Turkey. Beautiful country. We are sitting in a cafe in Rhodes, in the old city with the walls around it. We've toured the Palace and I'm in love with the mosaic tiling I find everywhere.
Sheena rode a donkey up the hill to the Acropolis in Lindos on Rhodes. Rhodes is greek for roses. It's about 70 degrees here and just beautiful. Our ships are the start of the tourists season so there aren't any crowds.
We are waiting on our pizzas then we head back to the ship.
love to all,
Rene
Sheena rode a donkey up the hill to the Acropolis in Lindos on Rhodes. Rhodes is greek for roses. It's about 70 degrees here and just beautiful. Our ships are the start of the tourists season so there aren't any crowds.
We are waiting on our pizzas then we head back to the ship.
love to all,
Rene
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Turkey and Patmos
Day two: Turkey and Patmos. Both beautiful places. We were able to go to the ancient ruins of Ephusus and it was so awesome. To see where St Paul spoke and was imprisoned, where Virgin Mary lived in solitude on the mountainside, and where Cleopatra and Marc Anthony walked down the marbled avenue was so incredible. I'm still having that 'I can't believe I'm here' feeling.
Patmos is so beautiful. The weather has been just wonderful after some morning fog. Cool at night but beautiful skies. Patmos is home to the monestary and tomb of John the Baptist. We climbed like a million stairs today and Sheena is dealing with the pain but feels it was so worth it. When we got to the top of the monestary you could see most of the island and the surrounding islets. Amazing views.
Our taxi driver insisted he could get five us of in the car for $35 Euro round trip from the dock. He did. Sheena and Danielle got very close today - more than they ever thought they could. Danielle became the airbag, of which I said it was better than being an old bag. I'm sure Michael our taxi driver thinks we are a bunch of crazy Americans. I asked if he was married and he took it as flattery luckily cause he thought I was hitting on him (he was cute!) but I was just trying to see if he understood women (probably not).
This cruise is the first of the season to many of these islands and we have been greeted with music, dancing, flowers and sweet treats. The shops and cafes are happy to see us as tourism is a major source of income for all of them.
I can't attach photos yet as there is a problem with internet access and time I've had to do it. I promise we are taking tons!
When asked how I liked Turkey today I said I love it and I was told, well why don't you stay. I said I have no money are you going to take care of me? No offers on that let me tell ya!
There are a lot of stray animals on these islands and that was bothersome at first but most are well fed by the shops and tourists. One thing about Greece and Turkey and these cruise ships here - no wash cloths. Someone tell Ashlee to bring her own when she comes in May. We are making do - we're all resourceful, it's just another cultural difference between Americans and the rest of the world.
Tomorrow is 10 hours in Rhodes. We're taking a tour and then roaming and relaxing after that one. Hope to get back on soon.
Rene
Patmos is so beautiful. The weather has been just wonderful after some morning fog. Cool at night but beautiful skies. Patmos is home to the monestary and tomb of John the Baptist. We climbed like a million stairs today and Sheena is dealing with the pain but feels it was so worth it. When we got to the top of the monestary you could see most of the island and the surrounding islets. Amazing views.
Our taxi driver insisted he could get five us of in the car for $35 Euro round trip from the dock. He did. Sheena and Danielle got very close today - more than they ever thought they could. Danielle became the airbag, of which I said it was better than being an old bag. I'm sure Michael our taxi driver thinks we are a bunch of crazy Americans. I asked if he was married and he took it as flattery luckily cause he thought I was hitting on him (he was cute!) but I was just trying to see if he understood women (probably not).
This cruise is the first of the season to many of these islands and we have been greeted with music, dancing, flowers and sweet treats. The shops and cafes are happy to see us as tourism is a major source of income for all of them.
I can't attach photos yet as there is a problem with internet access and time I've had to do it. I promise we are taking tons!
When asked how I liked Turkey today I said I love it and I was told, well why don't you stay. I said I have no money are you going to take care of me? No offers on that let me tell ya!
There are a lot of stray animals on these islands and that was bothersome at first but most are well fed by the shops and tourists. One thing about Greece and Turkey and these cruise ships here - no wash cloths. Someone tell Ashlee to bring her own when she comes in May. We are making do - we're all resourceful, it's just another cultural difference between Americans and the rest of the world.
Tomorrow is 10 hours in Rhodes. We're taking a tour and then roaming and relaxing after that one. Hope to get back on soon.
Rene
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Notes on the Journey
No problems to report on any of the flights, which is always good news. Everything was pretty much on time or early. Had a good tail wind Indy to Jersey, we would have been running late but the wind put us there 10 minutes early. Had a relaxing sit down lunch at Chili's in Newark airport.
Had to go back through security at Newark to get to the gate to fly to Frankfurt. My lucky day! Got the full body x-ray where the pervs in the room in the bowels of the airport can see me and I got patted down by a very nice lady. She asked if I wanted to go someplace out of public view, my reply, as long as I don't have to get naked folks can watch, I am not shy.
Flew Lufthansa Airlines from Jersey to Frankfurt, Germany. On the monitors you could watch the progress of the flight and it gave details of cruising altitude (39,000 ft), speed (600 MPH) and time remaining to your destination. You could also watch movies for free - I would not have paid, believe me.
Couldn't help myself - when we flew over Liverpool, England I was thinking Beatles! Then when we were over France, well, wine was on mind, what else?! Speaking of which, they served free wine on the plane! I was a good girl and only had one very small cup of Merlot. It wasn't really that good - Deano needs to talk to them about wine!
We were fed dinner and breakfast. Had to save Danielle from the food as strawberries were served each time and she's allergic. All I can say about the food is that it is equal to hospital food. The cheese and breads were good, the snack mix okay, but that's about it.
Slept some but was not really comfortable - had some device on the floor so Danielle and I lost leg room. We're in our hotel in Athens now resting up and catching up.
Driving in from the airport to the hotel I was reminded of Florida a lot - the palm trees, grafitti, and not the nice parts of Florida apparently.
We meet the rest of the class and professor at 9am tomorrow at the port. I'll be raring to go with the camera and taking notes. Danielle has already taken some shots, however, she's asleep and I don't want to wake her to download those. I know I promised picks and you will eventually see them.
Reporting from Athens Cypria Hotel,
Trucker's Daughter
Had to go back through security at Newark to get to the gate to fly to Frankfurt. My lucky day! Got the full body x-ray where the pervs in the room in the bowels of the airport can see me and I got patted down by a very nice lady. She asked if I wanted to go someplace out of public view, my reply, as long as I don't have to get naked folks can watch, I am not shy.
Flew Lufthansa Airlines from Jersey to Frankfurt, Germany. On the monitors you could watch the progress of the flight and it gave details of cruising altitude (39,000 ft), speed (600 MPH) and time remaining to your destination. You could also watch movies for free - I would not have paid, believe me.
Couldn't help myself - when we flew over Liverpool, England I was thinking Beatles! Then when we were over France, well, wine was on mind, what else?! Speaking of which, they served free wine on the plane! I was a good girl and only had one very small cup of Merlot. It wasn't really that good - Deano needs to talk to them about wine!
We were fed dinner and breakfast. Had to save Danielle from the food as strawberries were served each time and she's allergic. All I can say about the food is that it is equal to hospital food. The cheese and breads were good, the snack mix okay, but that's about it.
Slept some but was not really comfortable - had some device on the floor so Danielle and I lost leg room. We're in our hotel in Athens now resting up and catching up.
Driving in from the airport to the hotel I was reminded of Florida a lot - the palm trees, grafitti, and not the nice parts of Florida apparently.
We meet the rest of the class and professor at 9am tomorrow at the port. I'll be raring to go with the camera and taking notes. Danielle has already taken some shots, however, she's asleep and I don't want to wake her to download those. I know I promised picks and you will eventually see them.
Reporting from Athens Cypria Hotel,
Trucker's Daughter
Thursday, March 10, 2011
One day and a wake up
OK, I'm stealing my title from Mr Vino who used that line while waiting on his trip to San Fran for the Zap event, but I liked it! Waking up sounds so positive especially when you are going on what you hope will be a trip of a lifetime or at the very least a really great time with friends and family.
The very long 'to do' list is down to just packing and organizing my belongings. A major feat for me. Helping out a not so old friend and a new friend this week with some marketing. Hoping the universe is kind to both of them. Support local businesses!!!!
I can't wait now to be on that ship, feeling the waves rock me to sleep each night. I love being on the water. It relaxes me and I need that right now, along with a neck rub:)
The weather in Greece will be at the beginning of Spring phase so not swimsuit weather but if I get the chance I'm at least dipping a toe in the Aegean Sea, may never get there again. I want to walk on the beaches and listen to the water move. I want to catch some sunsets and possible a sunrise since we have two early calls on the cruise. I'll be glued to the ship's railing watching the islands come and go. No seasickness for me! Two Caribbean cruises and various boat rides in Dale Hollow and other places and no problems. I am a water sign after all.
This will be the furthest away from home I will have ever been. I'm not afraid, not at all :) Just a notation in my trip around the sun. I realize how lucky I am to be on this journey. I must acknowledge my friend Michelle in Texas who is going through Chemo for stage 2 lung cancer. She inspires me with her courage and honesty in dealing with her illness. I won't be sad for her - she needs only positive thoughts and prayers and love to get her through. I will remember how lucky I am to go on this trip and be grateful my health allows me to do so. Someday soon she'll be walking on the beach with her wonderful man who is seeing her through all of this ordeal. Love to both of them.
'Roam if you want to, roam around the world...'
PS. Nawal - I used spellcheck...hehehe
The very long 'to do' list is down to just packing and organizing my belongings. A major feat for me. Helping out a not so old friend and a new friend this week with some marketing. Hoping the universe is kind to both of them. Support local businesses!!!!
I can't wait now to be on that ship, feeling the waves rock me to sleep each night. I love being on the water. It relaxes me and I need that right now, along with a neck rub:)
The weather in Greece will be at the beginning of Spring phase so not swimsuit weather but if I get the chance I'm at least dipping a toe in the Aegean Sea, may never get there again. I want to walk on the beaches and listen to the water move. I want to catch some sunsets and possible a sunrise since we have two early calls on the cruise. I'll be glued to the ship's railing watching the islands come and go. No seasickness for me! Two Caribbean cruises and various boat rides in Dale Hollow and other places and no problems. I am a water sign after all.
This will be the furthest away from home I will have ever been. I'm not afraid, not at all :) Just a notation in my trip around the sun. I realize how lucky I am to be on this journey. I must acknowledge my friend Michelle in Texas who is going through Chemo for stage 2 lung cancer. She inspires me with her courage and honesty in dealing with her illness. I won't be sad for her - she needs only positive thoughts and prayers and love to get her through. I will remember how lucky I am to go on this trip and be grateful my health allows me to do so. Someday soon she'll be walking on the beach with her wonderful man who is seeing her through all of this ordeal. Love to both of them.
'Roam if you want to, roam around the world...'
PS. Nawal - I used spellcheck...hehehe
Saturday, March 5, 2011
One week until Greece
The final countdown. This time next week I'll by flying over the Atlantic Ocean on my way to Frankfurt, Germany connecting to Athens, Greece with my companions for the trip Danielle and Sheena. In some ways it doesn't seem real yet and I know it is because I have documentation to prove it.
The professor gave us our cabin assignments yesterday. He described some of the expectations including two mandatory excursions - one in Turkey and one in Crete. Rough assignments, huh? Require us to take these tours of historic sites to see ancient ruins in lands we've never explored.
Packing remains to be done and may be the biggest challenge. I'm up to it though and have been working on a plan. For those that have traveled with me before, such as my twenty plus trips to Las Vegas, ya know I'm not a light packer. I've been stranded too many times and I do require clean underwear. This time I have to be creative and get everything into one suitcase and not exceed the weight limit, plus leave room for souvenirs - 'cause let's face it, I'm shopping!
I have to admit shopping isn't a big priority but I have to bring something back for certain people in my life. The professor asked us Friday what we expect/what we want out of this experience. I want to interact with the natives, so to speak, I want to eat Greek food made by Greeks and not American's trying to imitate the real food. Not that the Greek food in Indy is bad - good restaurants out there - but I'm told the food will be different. I want to experience that myself.
I want to take in as much as my senses will allow. Danielle is great with the camera and she'll do a fine job of capturing the scenes and faces. I'll do what I can to document and remember the details that make this trip so awesome.
Mr. Whippet was teasing me yesterday about taking out life insurance on me because of the concern for my safety. He's referring to the situations in the Middle East and some issue he heard on the news about violence in Greece, a story I did not hear. He said he would probably just be losing money - he wouldn't collect on the life insurance. I said 'damn straight, baby, I'm a survivor'. He's not getting rid of me that easily. He'll miss me - just won't admit it.
I so wish I could bring more people with me - I keep thinking so many would enjoy this trip.
Life's a journey, not a destination - enjoy it all the way wherever you are.
The professor gave us our cabin assignments yesterday. He described some of the expectations including two mandatory excursions - one in Turkey and one in Crete. Rough assignments, huh? Require us to take these tours of historic sites to see ancient ruins in lands we've never explored.
Packing remains to be done and may be the biggest challenge. I'm up to it though and have been working on a plan. For those that have traveled with me before, such as my twenty plus trips to Las Vegas, ya know I'm not a light packer. I've been stranded too many times and I do require clean underwear. This time I have to be creative and get everything into one suitcase and not exceed the weight limit, plus leave room for souvenirs - 'cause let's face it, I'm shopping!
I have to admit shopping isn't a big priority but I have to bring something back for certain people in my life. The professor asked us Friday what we expect/what we want out of this experience. I want to interact with the natives, so to speak, I want to eat Greek food made by Greeks and not American's trying to imitate the real food. Not that the Greek food in Indy is bad - good restaurants out there - but I'm told the food will be different. I want to experience that myself.
I want to take in as much as my senses will allow. Danielle is great with the camera and she'll do a fine job of capturing the scenes and faces. I'll do what I can to document and remember the details that make this trip so awesome.
Mr. Whippet was teasing me yesterday about taking out life insurance on me because of the concern for my safety. He's referring to the situations in the Middle East and some issue he heard on the news about violence in Greece, a story I did not hear. He said he would probably just be losing money - he wouldn't collect on the life insurance. I said 'damn straight, baby, I'm a survivor'. He's not getting rid of me that easily. He'll miss me - just won't admit it.
I so wish I could bring more people with me - I keep thinking so many would enjoy this trip.
Life's a journey, not a destination - enjoy it all the way wherever you are.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)