Sheilaclapkin's Blog;

In 1650 what was once a closed ring of land suffered a huge earthquake and repairs were made, then fifty years later a huge volcanic eruption like the world has never known before or since, broke the ring into five separate islands. The volcanic ash is still good for fertilizing the land. Santorini is fortunate to have underground water, but only for use to wash, grow fruits and vegetables, but it is not drinkable. All inhabitants of the island drink bottled water.  I thought that was very interesting as water, and not a drop to drink surround them.

Our ship docked out at sea and we had to be tendered into the port, once in port you make your way to the funicular, a donkey or your own two feet for a ride or a walk up the mountain to the city of Santorini perched high on top of the mountain. How lovely to be transported into such sights you only think are in travel magazines, not real places. This place is real.  After we explored Santorini, which is tough walking on rocks jammed into cement and steps going up and down, and down and up some more. The walk ended and we hopped a bus for Oia a most magnificent town as well.  After more horrendous, ups and downs and tourists you find yourself coming to more magazine sights. I enjoyed my own two feet and a great big thank you to the people who told us the night before our journey to wear strong shoes.

Later in the afternoon we were treated to a little winery trip and discovered a raisin wine. Oh, so good.

I must say all the sights and sounds of Santorini are glorious as you will see, and my wish for all of you is that you have been here or someday will visit.

When you gather at your table for dinner with tablemates, after a day of enjoying your docked destination, the stories of things seen and done differ as much as night and day.  One couple tells their story of hiking the 365 stairs up and down from the sanctuary of Athena in a most ancient town of Lindos. We viewed Lindos during our Taxi Tour and squinted high at the Temple of Athena, but only in passing, knowing we were not going to make the trek.

We were docked on the Eastern side of Rhodes and after visiting several churches, the Palace of the Masters, and yes, Virginia there is a Mc Donald’s in the city center. Honestly, unbelievable. It is quite nice that they intentionally painted it a color that matches nicely with the lovely ancient downtown walls to remind you of the medieval days and of the Crusaders. One couple we met from Scotland was able to join us on our Taxi Tour around the island viewing the difference in the climate and terrain that changes so distinctly from a few miles to the next few miles.  One area is cooled with the ocean breeze and is packed with hotels and sandy stretches of beaches. A little further on you see Eucalyptus trees lining streets, patches of olive groves, towns and villages all dating back in different times. We did see several attempts to grow with hot houses that have been abandoned.

We wanted to visit some varied types of villages on the island. One village, the oldest one had newly constructed houses next to very old sone ones reminiscent of early man. Other villages had up to date homes and a supermarket.  There is one village we did not see because of the day nearly ending, and the fact that it has turned into rocks and pebbles.

Our next adventure was visiting a pottery factory. Our driver just drove right by it and I asked about turning around and going back. He was pleased we asked and the turn around was well worth our time. We were invited into the back of the factory where a worker was beautifully etching a bell. Towards the end of the day in the city center we were able to see our pottery factory’s pottery for sale.

My absolutely special moment was visiting the “Hidden Church.” When armies came to spoil things in Greece, the people on Rhodes hid this little church that has been carved out of the rock. It is actually a cave.  Photo of the church is the one with the little red door. We all stood quietly. No one moved.  I was hoping for something to happen out of the ordinary and I was not let down. Someone, a female, wiped my tears and dusted off my shoes. I thought how sweet, then, but now that I have given it more thought, I know the reasons and the meanings behind the kind actions and appreciate the communications. I have cried more often of late about things I need not shed tears over. More optimism is required. The dusting of my shoes means my explorations by waking are not over they have only slowed down. I will reach my destinations in due time.

Rhodes

Can you believe it? We are back in Turkey? Kusadasi has the feel of Turkey and is billed as a resort town. For approximately $180,000 you can buy a three-bedroom two-bath condo facing the beautiful Aegean Sea.

EPHESUS:

Our tour took us in the early morning to Ephesus.  The only way to let you know this is the biggest ruin in the world’s history is to quote something I found.  “Ephesus dates back to Pre-lonian times when the Carians and Lelegians lived in a wide plain near the temple of the Mother Goddess, later to become the Temple of Artemis or Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” And it goes on and on. We were told that Ephesus used to be right at the port, but there was a meandering river that laid down silt and eventually it added 3 miles distancing Ephesus from the sea. We walked in between the Hellenistic Walls and the Byzantine walls. We saw the Aqueducts, The Basilica of St. John, Temple of Diana, The Library of Celsus built in A.D 135, and then all I saw were people, people and more people. I searched and listened for something ancient other than stones, but all I could see and here amongst the ruins were only 21^st century people trying to see the same things we all came to see. As you will see in some of the photos of special sights, all you can see are people as well.

Lucky they started the walk and talk at the top of the hill and ended stadium down the hill. We were instructed not to go too far into the stadium because it was dangerous and they have had to haul off two people recently who fell and broke a leg.  That is all you have to say to me, and I won’t even look at it. No photos of the stadium.  In fact, some photos show the masses of people surrounding the ruins. Oh how I have a hard time in crowds. I am proud of us because fear cast aside, we did it all except the stadium.  There are many stories and legends associated with Ephesus and this part of the world.

I was huffing and puffing down the hill, passing the stadium with blinders on heading lickety split for the Water Closet. Yes, I was a bit hunched over, checking my steps joining the LINE.

I got a little tap on the back and the Official of restrooms took my hand and escorted me ahead of everyone and installed me in the HANDICAPPED toilet.  OMG, I said to myself, I must really be a mess.  Doesn’t she know I sing, dance, hike, run, and play games inside my head?  I imagine myself in a short fluffy dress wearing six-inch heels twirling on the dance floor.  Does she know in my other life I could really kick ass, I was hell on wheels, I was a spitfire and as straight as an arrow? Do you think she knew I was Bowling Champion of my girls high school team, Tether ball champ of my block, I could double jump rope, dance on my toes and lots of other things. No, how could she know, she just helped out an aging person to pee in peace.  God Bless her.

I have noticed at many tour sites, younger and younger people are there. I have noticed the older ones limp along or are non-existent.  I think they should have little choo choo trains and drive you around the quaint little city streets in heavily visited tourist cities. They had several little trains in Mykonos and older folks were riding them.

Let me sum up Ephesus: heaps of stones and debris surrounded by silted marshlands, which was once the finest city in the world. A city that remains a phenomena and one that will bring the masses to marvel at what once was so much history and such glory for as long as the earth remains.

I am very sorry but the cruise line I am on does not have a strong enough internet connection at any time , day or night, to accommodate me sending photos with the blogs. Can you believe that? I have spent a fortune, not to mention hours trying. In order to relieve this frustation, I am considering taking a taxi at our next stop where I can find a Wi-Fi coffee shop and send you photos!!

Interesting to note that Mykonos is in a group of islands known as Cyclades in the Aegean Sea.  A few days ago we were all about the beautiful Mediterranean.

The minute we stepped out to take the shuttle to the business section of Mykonos we feel the difference.  It is cold today on the Aegean Sea and the wind is fiercely blowing and has not stopped.  Did you know there are four other larger islands in this group as well as Mykonos called, Naxos, Paros, Syros, and Tinos?  How interesting it would be to see them. They must be a bit barren because they aren’t mentioned much and certainly not a tourist spot. When I have unlimited Wi-Fi I will Google each of them.

Mykonos in the wind and cold is better for me than hot, and hotter.  As we walked through the authentically beautiful tourist town we had a destination, thank goodness or we would have stopped at a hundred different shops, restaurants, and interesting small shop size churches. We found out later that Greece is a very Orthodox country and religion plays an important role in Greek culture. There is a profusion of small family churches, about 500 of them in Mykonos, housing family remains. On our walk through the town we saw and were invited into these little churches, side by side the shops and restaurants.  We also found out that only bones are kept in the little churches so they bury the body for approximately two or more years and when the bones are ripe they dig up their loved one and then, ceremoniously place the bones in their family church. I wish I would have known all of this before we left the city and would have taken more photos of these special places. There are few second chances and it this case zero and none.  One photo at the end!

On the way I became interested in the steps up to living quarters and business offices.  I’ve included some photos. Our destination was to get to the windmills. We walked up and up, left, then right and left again. We made it.  Thank goodness because I so wanted a photo of the famous windmills like the one in magazines advertising a lovely stay on Mykonos. We got there fine, but so did others. No chance of taking an advertisement photo. Remember also, windy, windy, cold, cold.  I have included the photo with people, but on the long wind down, I saw a free Wi-Fi sign in a coffee shop with an outside patio enabling a perfect shot of the ever-popular windmills.

I also tried to get a special shot of the typical Cycladic blue and white cube-shaped dwellings.  Not like the guidebooks, no way, they must have a camera on a crane. Oh well, the yummy gritty Greek coffee with free Wi-Fi was a treat.  Thank you Mykonos for putting your best foot forward for our visit.  You could have turned the temperature up and the wind down, but the pleasure visiting you is ours.

.

.

.

After a sumptuous breakfast we departed Antalya for Fethiye. The drive along the Turquoise Coast is advertised as probably the most scenic and spectacular in all of Turkey.  That is what they say and it was not disappointing, but I have to say some of he funky drives we took to deserted villages and the tombs became my favorites. Scary, funky and fun is a ride for me. I like those because around every corner is a new awe.

We drove with our guide to the village of Ucagiz where we enjoyed a short boat ride to Kekova Isand. Kekova Island is also known by the city that was there once upon a time and then, slipped and sunk in the ocean, now known as “Sunken City. This is where the guidebook said we would make cultural connections. Really? The husband and wife on the boat that took us out to the Sunken City were sweet smiling little happy cooks, cooking our lunch and steering the boat. When the sweet happy little cook could not get me to buy any of her handmade items, she stopped in mid-stream and never looked my way, never smiled again and would not even say good bye when it was time to leave. So, now you know about my longed for cultural connection in a little village, on a little boat somewhere along the Turquoise Coast of Turkey.

The city of long ago has slipped into the sea.

You can still see a gate standing proudly announcing what used to be…

Our boat luncheon!

We are told to rise early so we can have room to appreciate this great view of Lycian rock tombs that are well over 2,000 years old residing in the ancient town of Myra in the Lycia region of Anatolia. The fronts of these tombs have been cut from the cliffs towering above the towns.  What a humbling sight, one only to stand in awe. I would like to write more about being humbled and standing in awe, but it is your turn to see secondhand from the photos.

http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2013/03/ancient-rock-cut-tombs-myra-lycian-necropolis/#sthash.McEjKHrh.dpuf

.

.