Cruisin' with the Chaplain

Our final post

2008-01-14T16:35:28Z

At the risk of making a few enemies from our snow-bound family and friends up north, here are a couple of sunny photos from our three ports in the Caribbean.
Our great odyssey is almost complete. Ah, well – all good things must come to an end. I don’t know who
said that, but it’s not true! This sabbatical is ending, but we are going home to the best things in life, our loving
family and fiends – and at Christmastime, no less!
Thanks for coming with us around the world.
Have a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year! We’ll be home for Christmas!

Our final post remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Sea Legs at Sea 12/14 – 12/18

2007-12-26T00:04:54Z

Five lovely days at sea – priceless (actually this is a repositioning cruise, so the “price” was really good!). Here are 6 ship shots of the Galaxy.
1. The 11th, 12th, and 13th floors – pools, hot tubs and lounge chairs. We’re bottling this sunshine to take out in February!
2. An awesome performance by pianist Naki Ataman from Turkey – 80 minutes, no sheet music, no stopping!
3. The crew dresses up the ship for Christmas – how nice to see the church in the little gingerbread town.
4. Not only do we eat food, we also take pictures of it – but you already knew that.
5. Editing in my office.
6. Christmas is in the air – this is our cabin door. Down the hall someone put up a pair of antlers and a Christmas stocking – kind of like a dorm, or a retirement home! (Tee Hee).

Sea Legs at Sea 12/14 – 12/18 remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Santa Lucia Day in La Palma, Canary Islands

2007-12-26T00:03:15Z

1. The southern end of La Palma – look closely, those tiny people are walking where we also walked on the rim of a volcano!
2. Hästa and the volcano.
3. The old windmill is now just a garden ornament, but the potter who works there is authentic!
4. A walking street in town – no crowds – it is siesta time and most shops are closed.
5. The southern tip of La Palma from the sea – our last sight of land as we begin our transatlantic passage.

Santa Lucia Day in La Palma, Canary Islands remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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12/12 in Lanzarote

2007-12-26T00:02:33Z

1. An island with 100 volcanoes, this Canary Island is just 70 miles off the coast of Africa. It almost never rains, so the countryside remains volcanic and barren (however, the Trade Winds make the climate ideal for beachgoers.)
2. We visited a cave complex, Jameos Del Agua, which was formed by volcanic activity but has been transformed into a major attraction with a natural concert hall, a subterranean saltwater lagoon and a restaurant!
3. The closest island to Lanzarote with its small harbor town.
4. The old capitol, Teguise. The church has burned down 6 times – a few of those times by Pirates!

12/12 in Lanzarote remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Agadir, Morocco - Tuesday

2007-12-26T00:01:44Z

Yes, we really are in Africa! What a mixture of sights, sounds and smells.
1. A familiar shopper in the Souk (marketplace).
2. High-jumping Moroccan dancers.
3. Charging Arab horsemen and their really loud rifles.
4. A snake charmer and his charming snake.
Busy afternoon!

Agadir, Morocco - Tuesday remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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A Bonus day in Spain

2007-12-26T00:01:01Z

Sunday Dec. 9th – our itinerary has been altered a bit – no stop in Casablanca for security reasons so, no Rick’s Café. Instead we visited Cartagena, one of the post important ports in Spain.
1. The Town Hall is a beautifully restored modernist building.
2. The city was rich from silver mining and in the early 1900’s beautiful homes were built with graceful iron railings and glassed-in balconies.
3. Some ruins of Roman times have been unearthed – this Amphitheater (built between 5 BC and 1 AD) was just discovered in 1987 when a villa was been demolished!
4. “The Last Soldier” – commemorating the recent end of military conscription in Spain.

A Bonus day in Spain remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Barcelona Saturday

2007-12-25T23:59:51Z

1. The streets were quiet until 11am before being filled to over-flowing with holiday shoppers and cruise ship passengers. Constitution Square had a really nice Nativity scene.
2. The Christmas Market in front of the Cathedral was fun to see – many of the booths held hundreds of tiny figurines for people to buy to add to Nativity scenes in their homes.
3. Las Ramblas is the main shopping street where you can buy a canary, a monkey or an orchid. Or you can be a statue – an interesting way to make a living.

Barcelona Saturday remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Dec. 6th St. Peter’s in Rome

2007-12-25T23:58:42Z

1. We took a train from the port of Civitavecchia into Rome for an afternoon visit to Vatican City, a country. We walked around the whole outside wall, so I guess we walked around a whole country today!
2. The Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square being prepared for Christmas 2007.
3. Too beautiful and sad for words.
4. Slowing down the pace – with pizza and Chianti.

Dec. 6th St. Peter’s in Rome remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Iraklion, Crete (Greece)

2007-12-25T23:57:19Z

The Palace of Knossos, more than 3000 years old, the oldest parts as much as 4000 years. It was built by the ancient Minoans – think back to high school world history! This is the site of the myth of the Minotaur. The Minotaur was contained by Daedelus in the labyrinth and eventually slain by Thesus.
Colorful little fishing boats are tied up for the day.

Iraklion, Crete (Greece) remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Sunday in Alexandria

2007-12-25T23:55:26Z

Convoys of buses with police security brought us to Cairo from the port of Alexandria – a 2 ½ hour trip. We traveled through the desert to the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Mortuary Complex and the Valley Temple.
Police presence was high everywhere, sometimes with a casual but alert presence.
Our kissing camels and a memorable ride in the dessert with some of the ninety-eight pyramids in Egypt in the distance.
The streets of Cairo are congested with vehicles of every kind, with honking horns and daredevil drivers. Cars do outnumber donkeys, but that sturdy little animal is still used everywhere.

Sunday in Alexandria remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Friday in Cyprus

2007-12-25T23:53:14Z

This ancient mosaic from the Roman period in Cyprus is one of several beautiful floors unearthed during the excavation of a Roman nobleman’s villa from the 3rd century AD. They depict Romans legends and scenes from Greek mythology with tiny pieces of stone.
The goddess Aphrodite was said to have emerged from the waves near here.
Pink pelicans! They strolled the waterfront along with the tourists in Pafos, once the capitol of Cyprus.
Our lunch stop on the bus tour. We were served with Cypriot hospitality – “Kopiaste” – “Come and join us”.
The Ancient site of Kourion – spectacular on a steep cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. The Theater form Roman times has been reconstructed and is used once again for performances.

Friday in Cyprus remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Rhodes, Greece - Thursday

2007-12-25T23:52:16Z

Donkeys are lose in the road as we travel to the ancient city of Lindos. The climb to the Acropolis put us among the ruins of the sanctuary of Athena Lindia.
Shopping for fish in a truck from a motor scooter.
The Knights of the Order of St. John fortified the city of Rhodes in the 1300’s – you can see the old city walls beneath the bow of the Galaxy.

Rhodes, Greece - Thursday remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Tuesday – also in Istanbul

2007-12-25T23:51:44Z

The view of the Old City across the Golden Horn from the top of the Galata Tower (from 1348).
The Galaxy waits for us in Turkey’s busiest harbor.
Typical street in the Galata neighborhood – in the European side of Istanbul.
Sailing away – the Old City alight and the rush hour headlights lining the shore road. Same the world over.

Tuesday – also in Istanbul remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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“….now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople”

2007-12-25T23:50:44Z

The entrance to Topkapi Palace, the grand palace for the Ottoman sultans for over 3 centuries – our guide, John, poses with Hästa.
The Hagia Sophia museum – first a basilica (537 AD), then converted to a mosque in 1453 and finally a museum in 1932.
The old city lights up at night – this is the 400 year old Blue Mosque – with its six minarets. We bagged our shoes (can't wear them- disrespectful) and rushed inside to see it before the doors were closed to us for prayers.

“….now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople” remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Phase 3

2007-12-25T23:49:29Z

After a month of “being on our own” we are ready for someone else to do the driving: Capt. Margaritis (I kid you not) of Celebrity Cruise Line’s Galaxy, we are in your hands.
Touring Ephesus in Turkey and seeing the amphitheater where the Apostle Paul preached was amazing.
Every tour in Turkey ends with a carpet-making demonstration – here they show how silk from cocoons is boiled and strung out – a strand a mile long from one cocoon, we were told.

Phase 3 remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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One last night in Germany

2007-12-25T23:48:49Z

We visited Regensburg in Bavaria today (Thursday) and parked right next to the River Danube. We had our Thanksgiving dinner at the Hofbrauhaus.
The sun broke through and gave us delightful views of the Old City. On the way back to our hotel outside of Munich we passed acres and acres of hops fields with rows and rows of poles as big as telephone poles to support the plants.
Our next chance to post may be Sunday from the Galaxy Cruise ship which sails from Athens on Saturday evening. Auf Wiedersehen!

One last night in Germany remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Food for the spirit….and the stomach

2007-12-25T23:47:50Z

The Lutheran Cathedral in Ulm – I’ve heard it is the tallest steeple in the world. I’ll have to look that up.
Looking out of a bakery and coffee shop window in Dinkelsbuhl. Back to Rothenburg – the truck on the right was parked, the other one made it through the tower.
Our country hotel is “garni”, meaning they serve breakfast only, they have no restaurant – and neither does anyone else in town – except for this enterprising pizza vendor!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!

Food for the spirit….and the stomach remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Three towns all on a Tuesday

2007-12-25T23:47:08Z

Luther is honored here in Worms, where at the Diet of Worms (1521) he refused to recant his beliefs saying, “Here I stand, I can do no other”.
In Speyer an ancient imperial town, this Luther statue stands in the entrance to the Memorial Church built around 1900. The church was built as a memorial to the world’s Protestants. It was in Speyer that the name “Protestant” was first used in 1529.
Speyer has set up a skating rink – it sure is cold enough!
Mmmm…. A Speyer buttered pretzel.
Rothenburg ob de Tauber, enchanting in the twilight.

Three towns all on a Tuesday remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Monday – back to the German countryside

2007-12-25T23:46:26Z

We are staying in the little town of Kirchheim, east of Stuttgart – in a wonderful Guest House.
The towns are all getting decorated – Germans know how to “do” Christmas! We visited Nordlingen, a medieval town getting dressed for Christmas. We walked on the walls of the town – can’t get enough of those half-timbered houses!

Monday – back to the German countryside remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Super Sunday

2007-12-25T23:45:49Z

Prague “Praha” is a photographer's dream. Cobblestone streets, trams, magnificent buildings at every turn, the mighty river and restaurants and pubs galore.
After an Anglican worship service (the church is reflected in the glass across the street) and a Brazilian meat-fest for Sunday dinner we strolled across the famous Charles Bridge and on up to St. Vitus Cathedral.
Our Prague finale – a production of “Romeo and Juliet” by the Monte Carlo Ballet at the National Theatre of Prague. Bravo!

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Karlstein Castle

2007-12-25T23:44:50Z

Saturday the weather turned cloudy and damp – what better time to tour a 14th century castle? We took a train to the castle, named for its founder, Charles (Karel) IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor.
We have been enjoying leaving our car at our hotel in Prague and relying on trains and our feet for locomotion. Paul is our tour guide – and he picks out great restaurants too!

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Friday – going to Prague

2007-12-25T23:44:17Z

There is snow in the mountains between Germany and the Czech Republic – but when we got to Prague the sky cleared and it was beautiful.
We are visiting our son Paul for 3 days – we are crossing the square to the box office to buy tickets for a performance of “Romeo and Juliet”.
The Prague Castle on the river Vltava.

Friday – going to Prague remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Thursday, Nov. 15 in Leipzig

2007-12-25T23:43:22Z

St. Nicholas church, founded around 1165. It has been Protestant since Luther brought the Reformation to Leipzig in 1539. In the early 1980’s peace prayer services started here resulting in thousands of East Germans peacefully demanding justice and respect from their government.
St. Thomas Church where Luther also preached in 1539. J.S. Bach was Cantor of the Boys Choir there from 1723 to his death in1750 and was buried in St. Thomas.
The weather has been as changeable as it is in New England! We went into Leipzig’s immense Train Station under blue skies and emerged a half hour later to this surprise.
This is our last night in the Schenkenberger Hof. It is in such an out-of-the-way place, down an alley in a small village, that we’ve lost our way returning to the hotel almost every night! For some reason these mannequins are in the lobby – we jump every time we see them – we’ve named them “Fritz” and “Freida”.

Thursday, Nov. 15 in Leipzig remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Erfurt, Germany

2007-12-25T23:41:50Z

There is no shortage of statues of Dr. Martin Luther in Germany – his importance in world history and world religions is well documented here.
The Chapel of the Augustinian Monastery in the University town of Erfurt where Luther studied and received his undergraduate and Masters Degrees.
Erfurt has one of the most well-preserved medieval city centers in Germany. Cathedral hill in Erfurt – Luther was ordained in St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1507 (the big one on the left) – the huge square is being prepared for Erfurt’s world famous Christmas Market, Weihnachtsmarkt.

Erfurt, Germany remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Castles and Cake

2007-12-25T23:40:03Z

Also in Torgau is Hartenfelds Palace, the seat of the Electors of Saxony, the best preserved early Renaissance palace in Germany. The Palace Chapel was consecrated by Martin Luther in 1554 and is widely regarded as the first to be built as a Protestant Church.
Ahh…. One thing about cold, rainy weather – it just feels so good to sit down and have coffee-and!

Castles and Cake remains copyright of the author Swenigale, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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