Holy Land Cruise 2010:
November 11-23
November 11-23
Day 1: Venice, Italy (embarking on our journey of a lifetime!)
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Nov 11, Thurs. After 18hrs of
flying, we met Brian and Tina at the
Venice Airport. After checking in at
the cruise ship, Pacific Princess, we
toured around Venice, letting
ourselves get lost in the streets. We
took a boat shuttle back toward the
Pacific Princess as it started to get
dark, crossing under such landmarks
as the Rialto Bridge. We left land
and sailed in the Mediterranean at
8pm that night.
flying, we met Brian and Tina at the
Venice Airport. After checking in at
the cruise ship, Pacific Princess, we
toured around Venice, letting
ourselves get lost in the streets. We
took a boat shuttle back toward the
Pacific Princess as it started to get
dark, crossing under such landmarks
as the Rialto Bridge. We left land
and sailed in the Mediterranean at
8pm that night.
Day 2: Ravenna, Italy
Nov 12, Fri. Arrived at 11am in Ravenna. This
was a town filled with Byzantine art and
architecture, dating back toward the 10th
century AD. We toured five of the major
Byzantine churches, and ended at what just
happened to be a chocolate festival. Tina and I
sampled several delicious pieces, realizing that
any object can be made into chocolate!
was a town filled with Byzantine art and
architecture, dating back toward the 10th
century AD. We toured five of the major
Byzantine churches, and ended at what just
happened to be a chocolate festival. Tina and I
sampled several delicious pieces, realizing that
any object can be made into chocolate!
Day 3: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 5: Patmos, Greece (Day 4 was our first sea day - rest)
Nov 13, Sat. We took a short cab ride to the edge of the walls, known as "Old Town" Dubrovnik. It was a walled city and we promptly paid the fee to start our
1.5mile walk on top of the walls still circling this city. It is a World Historic Site; this fact was brought to the attention of the world in 1991 to prevent it from being
demolished during the Bosnia-Yugoslavia war. Mortar holes and shrapnel remains can still be seen in this historic city. It is kept in excellent condition to this day.
1.5mile walk on top of the walls still circling this city. It is a World Historic Site; this fact was brought to the attention of the world in 1991 to prevent it from being
demolished during the Bosnia-Yugoslavia war. Mortar holes and shrapnel remains can still be seen in this historic city. It is kept in excellent condition to this day.
Cats were everywhere!
Well-fed and taken
care of by the town at
large. This ancient
water cistern still had
water pouring from it.
To the right is a
fuzzy picture of the
original draw bridge
entrance to the city.
Well-fed and taken
care of by the town at
large. This ancient
water cistern still had
water pouring from it.
To the right is a
fuzzy picture of the
original draw bridge
entrance to the city.
Nov 15, Mon. Patmos is an island owned by Greece and our first "Holy" stop on this cruise. Saint John the Apostle
was exciled to Patmos in the 1st Century AD. It is said that he wrote his book of Revelation in the caves here at
Patmos, the building in the top middle houses the cave that he supposedly was in during that time. In the 11th
Century AD, a faithful monk build the first monastery on Patmos to his patron saint, John. The bottom left picture
shows some of the exquisite frescos that still remain painted on both the inside and outside of this rocky monastery.
The bottom middle picture shows a view from the monastery looking down to the islands and our ship. Justin took
the opportunity of warm weather to visit a local rocky beach and take a dip in the clear Mediterranean.
was exciled to Patmos in the 1st Century AD. It is said that he wrote his book of Revelation in the caves here at
Patmos, the building in the top middle houses the cave that he supposedly was in during that time. In the 11th
Century AD, a faithful monk build the first monastery on Patmos to his patron saint, John. The bottom left picture
shows some of the exquisite frescos that still remain painted on both the inside and outside of this rocky monastery.
The bottom middle picture shows a view from the monastery looking down to the islands and our ship. Justin took
the opportunity of warm weather to visit a local rocky beach and take a dip in the clear Mediterranean.
Day 7: Haifa, Acre in Israel (Day 6 was our second sea day - as we traveled down to Israel)
Nov 17, Wed. We arrived at the port of Haifa, a city built upon Mount Carmel. Brian successfully bartered us a reasonable-cost cab ride to the walled city of Acre
(they pronounce it "Ac-co") (left picture). It was an ancient Crusader fort, also occupied by the Knights Templar and Napoleon, among others. When we arrived, we
found that the Muslims that predominately occupy the area were having a 4-day Holy Day Festival. As we moved towards this ancient cities center via Bazaars (top,
middle) and twisting streets, we heard loud music, saw children wildly riding ponies, dancing, food, and general human congestion. The walls were well taken care of
and the main escape tunnel used by the Knights Templar was still being excavated (bottom, right). On the outskirts of the walls, we glanced at Napoleon's Canaan,
when he kept the city from siege. Returning to Haifa, we visited the Ba'hai International Gardens (the Ba'hai faith's parent church is here), top right. We walked
down Mount Carmel, noticing the distinct division between Jewish/Christian side of Haifa (tended toward affluent) and the Muslim side (tended toward poorer), until
we reached the port and reboarded the ship. Around the port we started to notice a trend that would continue through Israel and Egypt: multiple levels of security to
prevent anyone not permitted from entering the area surrounding the ship. Multiple checkpoints and layers of security were in place to protect tourists and the city.
(they pronounce it "Ac-co") (left picture). It was an ancient Crusader fort, also occupied by the Knights Templar and Napoleon, among others. When we arrived, we
found that the Muslims that predominately occupy the area were having a 4-day Holy Day Festival. As we moved towards this ancient cities center via Bazaars (top,
middle) and twisting streets, we heard loud music, saw children wildly riding ponies, dancing, food, and general human congestion. The walls were well taken care of
and the main escape tunnel used by the Knights Templar was still being excavated (bottom, right). On the outskirts of the walls, we glanced at Napoleon's Canaan,
when he kept the city from siege. Returning to Haifa, we visited the Ba'hai International Gardens (the Ba'hai faith's parent church is here), top right. We walked
down Mount Carmel, noticing the distinct division between Jewish/Christian side of Haifa (tended toward affluent) and the Muslim side (tended toward poorer), until
we reached the port and reboarded the ship. Around the port we started to notice a trend that would continue through Israel and Egypt: multiple levels of security to
prevent anyone not permitted from entering the area surrounding the ship. Multiple checkpoints and layers of security were in place to protect tourists and the city.
Day 8: Ashdod (port) and Jerusalem, Israel
Nov 18, Thurs. We hired a taxi whose driver served as tour guide,
to take us 1.5hrs to Jerusalem from the port city of Ashdod. If
you could imagine and hope what Jerusalem might look like, that
is how it looked. A walled city on Mount Zion & next to Mount
of Olives, it was amazing. When we looked back on this trip,
Jerusalem was everyone's favorite. It's the seat of three major
religions (Jewish, Islam, Christianity) & a hotbed of controversy
for two millenia. Walking those streets was walking history.
to take us 1.5hrs to Jerusalem from the port city of Ashdod. If
you could imagine and hope what Jerusalem might look like, that
is how it looked. A walled city on Mount Zion & next to Mount
of Olives, it was amazing. When we looked back on this trip,
Jerusalem was everyone's favorite. It's the seat of three major
religions (Jewish, Islam, Christianity) & a hotbed of controversy
for two millenia. Walking those streets was walking history.
Top row: King David's
tomb, statue, supposed
location of the Last
Supper, walking the
walls toward the
Western Wall (wailing
wall), note the gold
Dome of the Rock in
the back. Second row:
the Wailing Wall,
Justin and Brian
adding a prayer to the
wall. This row:
walking the Via
Dolorosa with Tina,
stations of the cross.
tomb, statue, supposed
location of the Last
Supper, walking the
walls toward the
Western Wall (wailing
wall), note the gold
Dome of the Rock in
the back. Second row:
the Wailing Wall,
Justin and Brian
adding a prayer to the
wall. This row:
walking the Via
Dolorosa with Tina,
stations of the cross.
This row: Church of
the Holy Sepulchre,
where Christians
believe Jesus was put
on the cross, laid
when he died (left),
and buried close by.
The rock that Jesus'
cross was put into the
ground is what this
church is built
around. It is a
beautiful church with
many faithful
touching these sacred
objects.
the Holy Sepulchre,
where Christians
believe Jesus was put
on the cross, laid
when he died (left),
and buried close by.
The rock that Jesus'
cross was put into the
ground is what this
church is built
around. It is a
beautiful church with
many faithful
touching these sacred
objects.
Above: a view of a part of the walled city
of Jerusalem from the King David's tomb,
with the Mount of Olives and the Garden
of Gethsemane (the trees on the hill). The
stones on the middle right of the picture
are all grave sites. Right: The Garden of
Gethsemane with ancient olive trees. This
was my favorite place in Jerusalem that
we visited. In the nature there was a
peace, such as when Jesus sought out the
calmness of this Garden for himself.
Left: our scrumptious lunch.
of Jerusalem from the King David's tomb,
with the Mount of Olives and the Garden
of Gethsemane (the trees on the hill). The
stones on the middle right of the picture
are all grave sites. Right: The Garden of
Gethsemane with ancient olive trees. This
was my favorite place in Jerusalem that
we visited. In the nature there was a
peace, such as when Jesus sought out the
calmness of this Garden for himself.
Left: our scrumptious lunch.
Day 9: Port Said and Cairo, Egypt
Nov 19, Fri. Our first time in Africa! For our time
in Egypt, we decided to join the guided tours. We
went in a convoy of buses, guarded by the Israeli
police (soldiers?) for the 3hr trip from Port Said to
Cairo. What was most noticeable during this trip was
the excessive amounts of trash strewn along the
roads, among houses, everywhere. The second thing
we noticed was the abject disarray of Cairo. As
Justin said, it looked like a third world country
recovering from a war. As Brian said, houses came
in two types: not finished and pieces of sh*t. It
seems harsh to say, but it was true. Caring for the
looks of their home was not a priority.
in Egypt, we decided to join the guided tours. We
went in a convoy of buses, guarded by the Israeli
police (soldiers?) for the 3hr trip from Port Said to
Cairo. What was most noticeable during this trip was
the excessive amounts of trash strewn along the
roads, among houses, everywhere. The second thing
we noticed was the abject disarray of Cairo. As
Justin said, it looked like a third world country
recovering from a war. As Brian said, houses came
in two types: not finished and pieces of sh*t. It
seems harsh to say, but it was true. Caring for the
looks of their home was not a priority.
The Ancient Egyptians left us the only
Wonder of the Ancient World left standing
over five millenia later: the Great Pyramids
and the Sphinx. From top left, Justin and I
doing "the Egyptian" (later we ran from the
one on the right to the one on the left), the
Great Sphinx, camel and camel rides that
were ubiquitous, in the area leading up to
the closer view of the Sphinx. On right:
during our lunch cruise on the Nile river - a
local dance with many skirts and continued
twirling, and a look at the nicest buildings
we saw (the one on the left is an American
hotel and the one on the right is one of
Cairo's nicest apartment, most were much
worse) and our complimentary police escort
on the river.
Wonder of the Ancient World left standing
over five millenia later: the Great Pyramids
and the Sphinx. From top left, Justin and I
doing "the Egyptian" (later we ran from the
one on the right to the one on the left), the
Great Sphinx, camel and camel rides that
were ubiquitous, in the area leading up to
the closer view of the Sphinx. On right:
during our lunch cruise on the Nile river - a
local dance with many skirts and continued
twirling, and a look at the nicest buildings
we saw (the one on the left is an American
hotel and the one on the right is one of
Cairo's nicest apartment, most were much
worse) and our complimentary police escort
on the river.
Day 10: Alexandria (port city), Egypt
Nov 20, Sat. The Port of Alexandria was a welcome change from Port Said and Cairo, so much cleaner!, although it did
still have that post-war feel of being recently bombed and trying to recover. We took the guided tour, police escort with
M-16s, first through the streets of Alexandria on our way to the University of Alexandria and the Library of Alexandria.
The clothing choices here were much more contemporary than in Cairo, with very few full face/body covering dresses for
women - many of the younger women seemed to prefer the pant & shirt or dress with a matching beautiful head covering.
I suppose this shows contemporary thinking. Our tour guide mentioned that the Muslim women that wear the full outfit
tend to be those from the country with more "closed" thinking as to what the Koran dictates. We also noticed that
Egyptian women seem to have a lot of clout in that men avoided touching them as if a woman stated she was raped, she
didn't necessarily need a witness and the man would be sentenced to death. A lot of practices that we saw seemed extreme
but even the tour guide agreed that there were many interpretations of the Koran's message that women should dress
conservatively. Below are pictures from the obelisk in front of the Library of Alexandria and the inside of the main
reading complex. The Library was only recently completed and the interior architecture reflects Alexandria's ancient
history, such as the holes in the wall reflecting how in ancient days papyrus was kept in such holes.
still have that post-war feel of being recently bombed and trying to recover. We took the guided tour, police escort with
M-16s, first through the streets of Alexandria on our way to the University of Alexandria and the Library of Alexandria.
The clothing choices here were much more contemporary than in Cairo, with very few full face/body covering dresses for
women - many of the younger women seemed to prefer the pant & shirt or dress with a matching beautiful head covering.
I suppose this shows contemporary thinking. Our tour guide mentioned that the Muslim women that wear the full outfit
tend to be those from the country with more "closed" thinking as to what the Koran dictates. We also noticed that
Egyptian women seem to have a lot of clout in that men avoided touching them as if a woman stated she was raped, she
didn't necessarily need a witness and the man would be sentenced to death. A lot of practices that we saw seemed extreme
but even the tour guide agreed that there were many interpretations of the Koran's message that women should dress
conservatively. Below are pictures from the obelisk in front of the Library of Alexandria and the inside of the main
reading complex. The Library was only recently completed and the interior architecture reflects Alexandria's ancient
history, such as the holes in the wall reflecting how in ancient days papyrus was kept in such holes.
Roman amphitheatre
recently excavated in
the center of
Alexandria, with a
display of some of the
"sunken treasures"
pulled up from the bay
that may have been a
part of Faros
Lighthouse.
recently excavated in
the center of
Alexandria, with a
display of some of the
"sunken treasures"
pulled up from the bay
that may have been a
part of Faros
Lighthouse.
Touring Fort Qait Bey, established in the same place where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Faros Lighthouse - stood, by Sultan Qait Bey in the
9th century AD. Stones from the destroyed Faros Lighthouse are now built into the entrance to the Fort (below, middle). This walled fort is kept in pristine
condition by the city of Alexandria. All the rooms can be explored; on right is a picture Justin took from one of the upper portico holes.
9th century AD. Stones from the destroyed Faros Lighthouse are now built into the entrance to the Fort (below, middle). This walled fort is kept in pristine
condition by the city of Alexandria. All the rooms can be explored; on right is a picture Justin took from one of the upper portico holes.
Day 11: Sea Day (an example of one of our days of rest)
Day 12: Kasadusi (port) and Ephesus, Turkey
Nov 21, Sun. Our days at sea
were filled with relaxation:
sleeping in, art auctions,
shuffleboard, reading by the
pool, watching the info video
for the next day, fun exercise,
British trivia, shows,
reflecting, ice carving,
Shaaane! Here is our crew at a
formal dinner night, dancing,
and um, romance? ;o)
were filled with relaxation:
sleeping in, art auctions,
shuffleboard, reading by the
pool, watching the info video
for the next day, fun exercise,
British trivia, shows,
reflecting, ice carving,
Shaaane! Here is our crew at a
formal dinner night, dancing,
and um, romance? ;o)
Nov 22, Mon. We started out the day in Kasadusi ("Kash-a-do-see")
(saw the fort, left, as entering port), a resort beach town. Securing a cab,
we traveled the 20 min to the ancient city of Ephesus. The site has been
used as a city since 6000 BC but the ancient ruins we saw were originally
built in approx 300 BC. The remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World, Artemis' Temple, can still be seen - originally built
around 560 BC. Ephesus was said to be visited by Paul the Evangelist,
Cleopatra, Marc Antony, and countless others as it was a major port city
of over 600,000 people in the ancient world (click on sign, left, for more
info). Amazing ruins are still being excavated and refined, to include a
large (seating 24,000, far below left) and small amphitheatre, baths,
homes of the affluent, and a port with walkway now many miles from the
sea. Most impressive was Celsus' Library (far below middle and left).
(saw the fort, left, as entering port), a resort beach town. Securing a cab,
we traveled the 20 min to the ancient city of Ephesus. The site has been
used as a city since 6000 BC but the ancient ruins we saw were originally
built in approx 300 BC. The remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World, Artemis' Temple, can still be seen - originally built
around 560 BC. Ephesus was said to be visited by Paul the Evangelist,
Cleopatra, Marc Antony, and countless others as it was a major port city
of over 600,000 people in the ancient world (click on sign, left, for more
info). Amazing ruins are still being excavated and refined, to include a
large (seating 24,000, far below left) and small amphitheatre, baths,
homes of the affluent, and a port with walkway now many miles from the
sea. Most impressive was Celsus' Library (far below middle and left).
After spending several hours at Ephesus, we
journeyed back to Kasadusi, had lunch on board
via the much relaxed security at this Turkish
port, then returned to the streets of Kusadasi
and shopped the rest of the day at one of the
largest Bazaars in Turkey, second only to
Istanbul!
journeyed back to Kasadusi, had lunch on board
via the much relaxed security at this Turkish
port, then returned to the streets of Kusadasi
and shopped the rest of the day at one of the
largest Bazaars in Turkey, second only to
Istanbul!
Final Port: Athens, Greece
Nov 23, Tues. We arrived at our final port of call this morning. By 5:45am we were ready to go and waiting for our passports to arrive and the security checks to
be complete so we could grab our cab and head to the airport. At 6:30am, we disembarked, found our waiting cab, and made for the airport with our 8:30am
flights. On the way to the airport, we passed by the fourth of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that we saw during this trip, the Temple of Zeus, as we passed
near the Acropolis. Here are the Wonders we saw: The Great Pyramids (only one left standing), Faros Lighthouse, Artemis' Tomb, and the Temple of Zeus.
Twenty-six hours and nine time zone changes later, chasing the daylight, Justin and I arrived safely home. Thank you Brian and Tina for sharing with us this gift of
adventure, holiness, and history.
be complete so we could grab our cab and head to the airport. At 6:30am, we disembarked, found our waiting cab, and made for the airport with our 8:30am
flights. On the way to the airport, we passed by the fourth of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that we saw during this trip, the Temple of Zeus, as we passed
near the Acropolis. Here are the Wonders we saw: The Great Pyramids (only one left standing), Faros Lighthouse, Artemis' Tomb, and the Temple of Zeus.
Twenty-six hours and nine time zone changes later, chasing the daylight, Justin and I arrived safely home. Thank you Brian and Tina for sharing with us this gift of
adventure, holiness, and history.