Turkey and Greece and a very special dinner...

Friday, April 8 – Kusadasi, Turkey

I led a ship’s tour to the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her last days. The site has been officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church and was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967. Then on to Ephesus, one of the most magnificient and best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. Ephesus is the Aegean’s best preserved ancient city; it was a busy port in the crossroads for traders in the era of the emerging Western World. We saw the Odeon Theatre, the Market Basilica, Curetes Street, Bath, Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity of 25,000 people. We toured the Terrace Houses where the actual mosaic floors have been uncovered; beautiful colors and designs! They are located opposite Hadrian’s Temple and show newly excavated sections where the wealthy and important people of Ephesus lived in homes finely decorated with mosaics and frescoes giving a true impression of the ancient lifestyle. We also visited the Basilica of St. John, which honors the holy man’s tomb. St. John is said to have come to Ephesus twice (between AD37 and 48 with the Virgin Mary and in AD95), where he wrote his gospel on Ayasuluk Hill. Emperor Justinian erected a magnificent church above his tomb, which was destroyed by earthquakes and material-scavengers. In its day it was considered a near-marvel and attracted thousands of medieval pilgrims.

We continued on to enjoy a wonderful lunch outside under tents on a perfect day before we had the infamous Turkish carpet demonstration. Rug information: wool on wool is made in geometric designs, wool on cotton is in floral designs, Hereke are the best carpets with 220-240 knots PER INCH. Mercerized cotton looks like silk.

After dinner, we went back out and wandered around the streets and tried to converse with a nice older fisherman who was heading out at 3AM for his daily fishing. Lovely night for strolling; the port area is very nice for the tourist; free WIFI at Starbucks and zillions of shops.

“I just looked up at a fire twinkling star and thought that a voyager whom I know, now many days’ sail from this coast, might possibly be looking up at the same star with me.” - Henry David Thoreau

Saturday, April 9 – Kusadasi, Turkey

We lost two from our group to the hospital and we hope all goes well; very sad.

A nice young man walked us to the local bus stop and we took the public bus to Selcuk (village past Ephesus) and enjoyed wandering around the Ephesus Museum where many of the finds from Ephesus are stored indoors. There were scales, jewelry, cosmetic boxes and the effigy of Priapus, the Phallic God, coins, grave goods and statuary. Another beautiful day and we took a taxi back to Ephesus and wandered around the less-visited ruins on the western side – where we believe the Church of Ephesus is located. Quieter area to roam and explore – through tall grass and weeds -- you feel like a real Indiana Jones!

Back to town, we shopped and wandered; enjoyed the company of a nice family who own a café. Sail-away came and it was a brilliant afternoon with the fort and harbor behind us.
Some guests tried a hamam (bath) with a sauna and scrubbing and skin peeling on a marble slab – www.adasarayturkishbath.com - transportation included for approx. $20 per person.

“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.” - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Sunday, April 10 – Piraeus for Athens Greece

We took a taxi directly to the Archeological museum and enjoyed all the treasures from the Acropolis which were moved inside – amazing in size and details. Hopped on the little train that chugs around the Acropolis and were amazed at the tight spaces where it could maneuver. We were actually about a foot away from people dining and a mere 6 inches away from the flea market stands – A little too close for me no matter how I looked at it but a wonderful way to drive through the heart of the Plaka on a sunny Sunday afternoon when all the families and tourists were out enjoying the moment. Took bus #40 back to the port/ship. Beautiful sailaway in the sun.
Paul Adams, comedian, was the entertainer.

“For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks. The ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.” - Rainer Maria Rilke
Monday, April 11, 2011 – at sea – formal night and our Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner in the Pinnacle Grill

We were very lucky to be hosted by the Hotel Manager, Henk Mensink, and able to sit with our theatre companions for a fun evening. Scrumptious and elaborate meal and we were given a beautiful gift of a sterling wine prop with Holland America logo. Salmon tartare, frappe of Tomatoes, truffled lobster fricassee en croute, petit filet mignon with baby vegetables, potato tart and rosemary shallot demi glace, ginger crème brulee, poached pear and frozen banana soufflé with Yalumba Wild Ferment Chardonnary from Australia and Woodbridge Twin Oak Cabernet Sauvignon from CA.

Fantastic concert by the Amsterdam Orchestra! They were each featured on their instrument in unique ways – drummer played with cereal boxes, the keyboardist played his narrated thesis on the life of a rabbit, the electric bass guitarist played the hit songs he grew up with…creativity plus wonderful talent! Craig Hill, Jeremy Seitzer, Lawrence Ravdin, Nathan Hance, Daniel Dainard and Irving Brown.

“Never let an adventure pass you by.” – Joan Lunden