Cruisin' with the Chaplain

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.