The Spice Market in Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey

We both absolutely loved Istanbul! One side of the water is Europe and the other is Asia.... this is a city where East meets West.
First stop was the blue Mosque

Chios, Nea Moni, a Greek Monastery

We visited a very old monastery, Nea Moni. Many beautiful mosaics were uncovered, and a very disturbing history.

World's largest puzzle in Ephesus

Frankfurt, Germany

we were a little nervous in the frankfurt airport and train station to say the least. Beautiful countryside. the german people are very stoic compared to the greeks.



Now we are in our room by the train station... it's ok... not airconditioned, but the window is wide open and we have a lovely fan. It's a bit warm.

Everyone is watching futbol, the world cup, and it makes the two Mel's jump everytime someone scores and everyone yells out.

fresh octopus anyone?

Lindos, Rhodes

How about this view?

The Harem in Istanbul

We tried to get in, but we were not young enough... oh well, not getting any younger

The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul Turkey

Can you believe we didn't get lost?

Musicians from the Lincoln Center-Chamber music concert

More Santorini

Very crowded, lots of people in very little space

Santorini Flowers

Knossos Palace

just for Michelle!

Santorini

Santorini

The highlight of our trip!

We arrived into the caldera of an ancient volcano, and were told there were lots of earthquakes still today. Greeeeaaat....

We walked straight up, and up, and up..... wow our calves are bigger than Arnold's.

We survived and passed on the donkey ride down and opted for the cable car (that was straight down) but fun.

We dined in a taverna overlooking the caldera (which exploded off and left the beautiful bay) and ate fresh salmon, chicken, greek salads, hummus, potatoes and fried zuchinis. And lots of wine.

Then we proceeded UP to our last concert (4 total) which was totally amazing with all 4 musicians... not sure how they did it, as we were all stuffed and tired.

It was a great ending to the trip and totally spectacular.

More pics and then on to the Plaka in Athens. So far, no reports of riots outside (they have been taking place exactly where we are right now)

On to Frankfurt tonight and speaken si duestch (soorry Karen for butchering your beautiful language).

Tomorrow, back to the good ole USA!

Love to you all... last post until we return.

Melany and Melanie

Back in Athens!

Yay! We are back in Athens... we took the local bus from the airport and navigated our way back to the center of the city, snuck back into our original hotel, and have a fast internet service. We will post a few select pics before we wander around looking for some nicknacks to lug us down.

We didn't post last night because we were just waaaay too busy partying and saying our goodbyes. We will do a separate post for yesterday, SANTORINI, a highlight.

We have to be brief so we can wander back to the airport... so much to say... and still see...

Our ship!

Wow, I can't believe I'm suddenly able to show pictures... of course these are from the first few days... would you believe I now have 1200 pics on my camera? I have a problem... yep.

A typical breakfast

The stunning Acropolis museum

The Acropolis!

Crete

Today was a great day! We arrived at the port of Crete (Heraklion) and promptly left for the palace of Knossos. Wow, it was so interesting and did you know that there are no pictures of war left by these happy people? Sir Arthur Evans discovered this site in the late 1800s and it is spectacular. We then went to the museum

and saw the artifacts from the palace (the picture just downloaded from Troy! sorry bout that, it's a little out of order, and that is the trojan horse) and then went to the third concert and heard some more beautiful music...then Mimi and I explored the city, spent money, and then took a taxi ride with a really nice looking young unmarried greek (did I say single) man with a mercedes taxi... he couldn't speak English. And I don't know enough greek to get us to the port, except they told us the "code" word "Karnagious" which he had no clue what we were talking about... then finally we found the ship and we were all laughing and trying to communicate... it was an experience. We learned the word for "single" in greek....can't remember it now... it's a long word...

ok, now I am going to attempt some more pics since it is working! yippee!

hugs and love,

Melany and Melanie

Lindos, Rhodes

Today we arrived in Rhodes, with beautiful azure blue waters...
The two Melanie/ys went up the narrow pathway to the top of this hill by donkey... I sure wish I could publish pictures but it just ain't happening... I've tried every which way to make it work but after buying CD and new flash drive, finding an internet cafe, battling primitive internets, and so forth... pictures will have to wait.
We had lunch separately because we took turns at a foot and hand massage... almost as good as Robin's, much needed.
Melanie went to see the doctor last night and was given some antibiotics and told to increase her advil .... she is feeling better today but resting right now.
Currently I am in a market on Hippocrates square and there is lots of shopping and strong coffee.
More tomorrow!
Love Melany and Melanie

Ephesus

Well, hello everyone...today we landed in Kusadasi and the morning was spent exploring Ephesus and all it "WONDERS"...what a thrill to walk on the ground and see the buildings where Paul of Tarsus walked and spoke. We saw the agora, the small theater, the terrace houses (where the wealthy Ephesians lived), the public toilets, the library and again another agora and finally the every large theater where Paul spoke and got into trouble. Our guide Yaman was extremely knowledgeable so it made it seem as if you had been there. Then, we had a tremendous downpour but it came at the very end. So the bus was loaded up and we headed back to the ship. Lunch and a rest then we hit the town to shop alittle. Then our speaker, Kathleen Lynch gave another wonderful lecture...dinner and up early in the morning to Rhodes.
Til we meet again love,
Melanie and Melany

Chios

Today was a much slower day... we woke to the announcement that there was 5 minutes left at breakfast and we promptly went back to sleep. We were just in time for a lecture at 11:30 on "Greek Gods and how to make them happy" and then lunch was breakfast for us.

We arrived on the Island at 3:00ish and took a big bus up a windy NARROW road some 20 minutes away to a remote monastery where a bloody massacre took place in 1822. Only a 92 year old nun lives there now.

We listened to the second concert with dualing violins and then cello... words can't describe... Beethoven in a small concert hall by the best in our nation...

Then Melany decided to trek off by herself to see the city and test her bargaining skills in Greek. Had a lot of fun, bought some trinkets, bargained for some white sandals, had the shoe shopman lead me down a dark alley in search of a "toileta" and as usual... no toileta paper..

Tried some high octane Frappe... I'll be up all night I'm afraid... Mimi's already asleep... her tongue is hurting.

Pictures are coming, it's just that the server is slow... the computer is primitive, minutes are extremely expensive...I've run out of room on my disk and finally found one to buy tonight.... now need to borrow a laptop to download them... and find an internet cafe...

Sandy, the people are very nice... found lots of mental health people, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, family therapists, and several professors. Interesting people with lots of good conversation. The boat is small....about 5 stories and 87 people. We travel about in 3 buses. There's a nice lounge with piano and library... one deck for walking. It's nice and intimate.

Ok, more tomorrow hopefully!

Love Melany

Monday at Istanbul

Today was a jam packed day in a very large metropolitan city... started at the Blue Mosque, then the Hiya Sophia, the Sultan's palace, (which included the Harem.. ), lunch at the Four Seasons hotel that was converted from a prison, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market and finally back to the ship for a concert with one of the top 5 cellists in the world and his wife, a concert pianist.

The highlight of the day (for Melany) was seeing Melanie (who never has met a stranger) make friends with a woman in a full burka... she was covered completely except eyes and hands... and I witnessed this special encounter ... the two made eye contact, then the other woman smiled with her eyes and gave the cutest wave and Melanie's waving back and smiling, too... It was truly amazing thing to witness and it is the highlight of my trip.

More to follow tomorrow...

Love, Melanie and Melany

Troy

We are in Turkey. Today we took an excursion to the ancient city of Troy and saw 9 layers of civilization, one on top of each other. Lots of history and saw a replica of the Trojan horse with photo op. Unfortunately, the computer on the ship only has internet, and no way to download pics.

We just finished the captain's dinner and have been standing outside watching a lightening show in the far distance. It's a lovely evening.

Looking forward to seeing Istanbul, a town of reportedly 12 million... yikes... We are going to the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar to hone our bargaining skills, the spice market, and a couple of other famous sites that I can't remember at the moment... the wine was good.

Ok... mimi's dragging me off to bed now... we have to be up bright and early to see the arrival into Istanbul.

So, farewell until we meet again.. long day tomorrow.

Love to all,
Melanie and Melany

Ship at Sea- The Agean

I am having some technical difficulty with posting pictures... more to come when I figure out the glitch. We took so many yesterday and we are very anxious to share them with you.

Today we enjoyed a great breakfast, heard two lectures from a young professor from University of Cinncinati who is an expert in archeology about the basics of Greek history and then about basic Troy facts.

We are sailing right now into the Dardanaelles (sp?) which is a narrow passage way into Turkey. We have learned so much about this important World War I location. It's so exciting and there is excitement in the air!

The two M's are very sore from all the walking yesterday and the tossing about in the ship. We are located low in the ship and feel every wave. We slept very well, rocked about like babies. But sore. :)

My poached eggs this morning... I must say... they were so fresh and perfect. The golden yellow color was so rich compared to the eggs we get at home. Everything is fresher, tastier, and simply delicious.

Weather is sunny, the water is navy blue right now, and sparkly. We are listening to the concert pianist practice for a later concert... and we are looking forward to hearing members of the Lincoln Center Symphony perform here. I think I heard they will perform 3 times. One group is here as "fans" of the Center and are very thrilled to be travelling with them.

Lunch is soon, and then we disembark to tour Troy. We will take pictures of the Trojan horse from the movie and a replica of the original.

Please write us! We very much look forward to hearing from family and friends and long for words from home...

Love to all,
Hugs and kisses,

Melany & Melanie

A day in Athens!

We started the day with a fantastic brunch of everything imaginable... then headed off to the big hike up to the Acropolis, Parthenon, Athena's temple, and the outdoor theatre where they put on plays and dramas....

Then, we walked to the brand new Acropolis museum, and boy was it spectacular... it's the newest thing in museumology (?) where the entire museum is showcasing artifacts and "blank spaces" where the pieces in the British Museum (that they stole) will someday return to their homeland, Greece. From being able to see the excavation in the see through floor, to the glass wall with the view of the Acropolis and the lighting above, this is a museum that's unbelievable and amazing.

Then... lunch... Michelle, we had authentic Greek salad in Greece and it's much better than Texas.

Then off to the archeological museum and saw a complete statue of Poseidon found in the ocean bed. Fabulous!

Then.... whew... headed 0ff to the ship, haven't stopped or unpacked yet... had red snapper for dinner, among other many delicious dishes... hearing piano right now... should we unpack??? Oh, ok... gotta go,

Love to you ALL

Melanie and Melany

P.S. Having the time of our life!

Plaka at night

Last night we went to Plaka (flea market, Tavernas, tourist trap...) and saw churches, the Acropolis at night, the Agora (where the word agoraphobia comes from, now we know), we saw lots of Greek graffiti... so sad. Also lots of stray doggies...:-( I want to take them all home and love them.

Melanie's in shoe heaven

Shoes everywhere! Lots of stylish shops and fashion shows and just about everything a woman needs. Very modern place surrounded by very old buildings.

Hotel

Our hotel is in this building. We went walking after dinner to "Plaka" and a shopping district. Melanie pooped out, and Melany went back out and caught a few pics with things lit up, including the changing of the guard. Yes, Sandy, I figured out the IPhone thing. My children would be proud. I think we will be able to update with no problem. No riots, but the subway system is on strike right now.

Acropolis at night just past a bustling city at night

The Acropolis! One of the 7 wonders of the world!

When we first came to dinner, my breath was taken away when I looked off the balcony and saw the Acropolis for the first time in the distance. It's even more beautiful at night when all lit up.

Buffet dinner at the King George hotel

We enjoyed a fine buffet dinner tonight. A variety of fresh salads, Greek cheeses, including one that was grilled, roasted potatoes, herbed rice, spiced chicken, olives, spinach pies, beets, and lemon-kiwi tarts...

Athens: We Have Arrived!

We made it safe and sound and the time went by very fast on the airplane. Met a lot of nice people so far, (including the violinist and the guest lecturer on Greek pottery), and we have 87 people on our ship with 75 staff... we are staying at the King George Palace and waiting for our room. We are going to go wander around Plaka, and then come back for a rest before the Buffet dinner at the hotel. On the way in, we saw lots (and I mean lots!) of olive trees, pistachio trees, motorcycles, and taxis. Tomorrow we will tour the Acropolis and museum and have lunch at a local restaurant and board the ship in the early evening. We are a little tired, but our excitement keeps our energy going. Until we meet again....
Melanie and Melany

Ready to leave!

Melany was finally all packed at 2:30am, Melanie (aka Mimi) had been asleep for hours... waiting for our ride to the airport and our new adventure! OPA! ΟΠΑ!

Almost ready!

We are leaving in the morning and Melany is not packed yet! Still 12 hours left....