Sunday, December 31, 2006
This was the last stop on our cruise. We has a fabulous time on our Eastern Med vacation! We pulled back into Venice early Sunday and drove back home to Mannheim - full of great vacation memories.
After our walk above and through the old town - it was time to go swimming off the coast of Croatia! The water was crystal clear and felt great! It was a rocky coastline but their were steps leading into the water - very cool.
This is the interior of St. Blaise's - the Patron Saint of the City.
This was a map showing all damage done from the war in the 1990s. All the shapes represent either fire, direct hits or shelling damage.
Walking through town was really cool - the little alleys are like mazes leading off of the main road.
Another shot along the wall. The kids spotted some geckos and of course, cats.
The old town and the wall were completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged to the present day.
Here is a shot of some damge left by the war back in the 90s. Most of the damage to the city has been repaired.
Here is a shot from the wall looking down at the main street of old town. At the end of the street, you can see another tower. That is where the other side of the wall is. We walked halfway around the wall - along the water to the other side, then down.
The wall surrounds the entire old town.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
This is on top of the town wall that surrounds Dubrovnik, Croatia.
After swimming and collecting a few pounds of sea glass, we decided to stroll through Corfu Town on the way back to the ship. Behind Scott and the kids is the New Fortress - built from 1576 to 1589. The town has another fort built 30 years prior and is wisely named - the Old Fortress.
See? Swimming of the coast of Greece - very nice. The water was very clear. So clear you could see lots of little fish all around - which was cool until you went in the water.
Friday, October 13, 2006
This was taken on the Greek island of Corfu. We decided that instead of doing a bunch of sightseeing - we wanted to go swimming and relax.
Friday, December 29, 2006
It was then on a quick metro ride back to port. Time to relax before dinner.
We were also next to Hadrian's Library. This was built in the years following A.D.132.
After a delicious Greek lunch, we did some shopping and sight seeing before heading back to the port. Behind Scott and Kaitlyn is the Pantanassa church. It belonged to the monastary that gave the are its name - monastiraki. A flea market was nearby and open but it was a lot of junk. The kids did get some cool old coins though.
Uh- oh - did I say 15 remaining columns? I meant 14!!! Jake took off running!
And this is the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It is ginourmous!!It is the largest in Greece, exceeding even the Parthenon in size. Work began on this in the 6th century B.C. Only 15 of the original 104 Corinthian columns remain - each 56 feet high. This would have been amazing to see in its entirety.
This is Hadrian's Arch - on the way to the Temple of Zeus. Through the arch you can see the acropolis. It was built in 131 A.D. to mark to boundary between the ancient city and the new Athens of Hadrian.
Scott and the kids are sitting in the seats of the Theater of Dionysos. It was built in 343-326 B.C. This is the birthplace of Greek tragedy and was the first theater built of stone.
It was time to walk down from the acropolis - we found out the the soldiers were ther because the president was coming. It got very crowded and they began moving the tourists away.
In the background is the Porch of Caryatids, and right next to it is an olive tree growing where Athena first planted her tree in a competition against Poseidon.
I just hope the kids remember this day - I will!
Another view from the acropolis - you can see the Temple of Olympian Zeus in the distance.
The theater below us here is the Theater of Herodes Atticus, originally built in 161 A.D. They still use this today for outdoor concerts.
Although few of the sculptures remain, this one on the east pediment is still partailly there. It's the the small part above the edge - its a man and part of a horse.
And here it is! THE PARTHENON!! This temple was begun in 447 B.C. It was built primarily to house the high statue of Athena. It took nine years to complete, the temple was dedicated to the goddesses in 438 B.C.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Our shipped docked in the port of Athens today. We were quick to grab a cab to take us out to the Acropolis. As soon as we got there, a large group of Greek soldiers in ceremonial dress were just arriving too. It was perfect because they parted the sea of tourists, and the Meiers hopped right behind them and marched up! I think we are on lots of video.
After exploring Mykonos, it was time to head back to ship. Here she is all lit up.
We found these 16th century windmills on the island. There were once 30 of these windmills used by families allover the island to grind corn.
Can't read this? I know - it's all Greek to us too!
The cities maze of narrow lanes was designed to defy the winds and the pirate raids.
We just wandered around the dazzling white, tangled alleys - and loved it!
Of course, some more blue domes ones as well. This church is right at the edge of the water in the harbour.
The ship left Santorini and we doked early the same evening in Mykonos.It wasn't late - just dark. And look - here they also have red dome churches.
Great time! And yes - we had to walk down.
We stopped at a cafe for some milk shakes and cold drinks. The funny thing was that the owner was from Brooklyn.It was great to relax and enjoy the sunning view.
You can see from this shot how the villages are terraced into the volcanic cliffs.
