Alive and well in Greece

Wow, it's go go go! From the time we get up, until we lay our weary heads on the pillows. We are alive and well, having a fabulous time, but could use some down time and some free wifi. They practically want your first born for the privilege of using WiFi on the ship.  We are eating more than we are walking off, that will change when we get to our next stop.

One member of the group is sick, hoping she feels better today. Two of our group cancelled their tour and stayed on the ship to rest up, but Mark and I pilgrims that we are kept on trucking!
Athens is a place we visited in July 2001 It was about 110 degrees, and I barely remember things, as I'm convinced my brain was boiling.

This trip was a cool (?) 85 degrees very unusual for their spring. Just our luck. We were sweating bullets but still made the climb up to the Acropolis, and took in all it's splendor and the panoramic views of Athens below. We had an older guide, a woman who is passionate about her culture and her heritage. I wish I'd taken notes. So much we learned, and I'm sure it will pop in and out of my head for years to come.

We visited the Acropolis museum that is only 3 years old. So modern, clean, and air condidtioned! Amazing relics are housed there and some of the floors are glass, so you can see ruins below. Very enjoyable hour and half in there.

We had lunch at an "ancinet" restuarant, and were served foods that were typical of ancient times. pottery cups, pitchers, plates, and only a spoon and knife. A young woman danced for us and it was a lovely way to unwind with choices of red or white wine from the pitchers. The food was fabulous and we were able to visit with two other couples who were touring. Our group was small, only 19 which made the day that much more enjoyable.

We are off to Olympia today. Forecast is for 80's but the weather feels cool and hazy.  I will post more photos when there is time.

First Stop Naples

Our first stop in the cruise, was Naples, Italy.  We have been here before. In fact I have been here three times before. We felt like we had seen most of the important sights, and Naples being a tiny bit sketchy, didn't feel like venturing out on our own.

The only thing we hadn't seen was the Excavated ruins of Herculaneum.  This seaside town was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. We had visited Pompei, that was also destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius. It was a favorite thing we had done, and I had this sinking feeling that Herculaneum wouldn't compare.

I was wrong, the tour at Herculaneum was different, but very interesting, and had some unique aspects to the town. We were touring the remains of the homes, considered the Beverly Hills of the area in it's time. Some strange thing happened during the eruption, and the town was encased in gas, and somehow the wooden things were charred, but not burned to bits, so many second stories are still standing, steps, beams, etc. were all in place. Black, but in place.

Warning, this is a photo heavy post. I just couldn't decide.
The new town Of Herculaneum was built after WWII, I found it to be very charming as well. You can see it behind the lower original town. There is no way to unearth the remainder of the ancient city as they would have to displace people, and that won't happen.

Our guide was an archeologist, and had done digs at both this location and Pompei. Her enthusiasm was so delightful. Now on to the photos.

 

 

As you can see, the frescos are still bright and beautiful. The table that is still intact is amazing to me, and the mosaic floors are in great shape considering they are thousands of years old!

 

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

This week's hunt is brought to you from Rome, Italy
Perspective, bloom, golden,local

and dark. Probably won't have much wifi for the next twelve days, So I've been trying to get some photos up.

Here goes the hunt...

                                                                           GOLDEN

The oldest church in Rome, and that's saying something. I mean OLD!!

                                                              PERSPECTIVE

                                                                              DARK

                                                                               LOCAL

Local girls out for a little gelato

                                                                           BLOOM

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Borgehse Gallery

What a wonderful morning we had! Two hours looking and learning about some of the most precious and exquisite art in all of the world. Sculptures that you can't imagine the detail of. Painting from Masters that are so unique and amazing.

We met our guide Joseph at 8:30 for our 9:00 tour. You are only allowed in the gallery for two hours. This is good and it's bad. Good is, it doesn't get overly crowded, bad part is you could easily spend a day inside looking in awe at the rooms filled to the brim with art.

This house of Borgehse they called their "small house" You would laugh as it's quite a spacious villa with large rooms and three stories high.  They were avid collectors and had incredible pieces on display. Now the state owns the home, the art, and the land, which is a park.

We had to check our bags and cameras before entering so I only have photos of the outside of the home and the garden in the back.

The sculptures were so incredible, like nothing I've ever seen.  I'm including a link, but I'm not sure the photos can do them justice.  My favorite one was Apollo and Daphne when she turned into a tree. The leaves were so delicate, and the stone had the slightest sparkle to it. The bark on the tree had amazing detail, and the expressions on their faces with the hair blowing nearly blew my mind!

http://www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/edefault.htm

The aviary that is next door to the "little house"

A church that was closed but had forgotten to close the door. We were having lunch across the street

After lunch we traveled over the bridge and visited a part of Rome that we had never visited before. The area is called Trastevere

Of course there was a square, and a church and we went inside. It was amazing! So many areas, and such beauty inside. We later learned that this was the first church built in Rome in the 4th century. Two popes and several cardinals are buried here. Hard to believe how much history has passed through here!

These are mosiaics

walking and finding charming alleys is one of our favorite things to do.

So glad we visited here. Not as much hustle and bustle as the city of Rome, very charming.

Vatican part II

Today we went to the Borghese Gallery. Overload of wonderfulness. I'll try to tell more about it later. Here are the rest of the photos from our Vatican tour.

The balcony where the Pope comes out to greet the people

One of my favorite pieces of art. Michael Angelo sculpted this marble statue at age 23. Mary holding Jesus in her lap. The only piece he ever signed.

Swiss Guards keeping careful watch.

Leaving Vatican City

Trevi Fountain. So beautiful

Spanish steps. Susie and I power walked them then went on to meet the boys six large blocks away to catch the shuttle

Everybody is tired and waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the hotel. Didn't take long and we were walking to dinner.