Greece & Turkey 2022

Sunrise at 36,000 feet	The Pagasetic Gulf of Greece	On approach for Athens, Greece	Leaving the Airport in Athens, Greece	Hotel Grand Bretagne in Athens was built in 1842
In 1874, the property was restored and named 'Grand Bretagne'	The Hotel Grand Bretagne hosted dignitaries for the 1896 Olympic Games	'Evzones' are members of the Presidential Guard in front of the Grrek Parliament Building	The Tomb of thw Unknown Soldier stands in front of the Greek Parliament	Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, Greece
The uniform of the Evzones evolved from the highwaymen who fought the Ottoman Turks	The shoes (clogs) of the Evzones weigh over 7 pounds	First stop on our Athens Wine & Food Tour	The only wine Susan really liked	Little Metropolis formally the Church of St. Eleutherios is a Byzantine Church in the heart of Athens
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation (1862) in Athens	Our tour guide demonstrating 'the magic of Ouzo' at dinner	Our Athens Wine & Food Tour group	Two of thirteen Greek dishes for dinner	Passing the 'Little Metropolis' at night. Eleutherios is a Byzantine Church
Hoocut Pitta (Souvlaki) was featured on Gordon Ramsey	Cooking at Hoocut	Souvlaki is typical Greek Street Food	View of the Athens Acropolis for the Grand Bretagne rooftop bar	Byzantine architecture in Athens, Greece
Academy of Athens (1859-85) is part of the Athenian Trilogy of Neoclassical architecture	The Academy of Athens was built to resemble the Propylaea of the Acropolis (gateway to Acropolis Hill)	The old University of Athens is the second of the Athenian Trilogy	The National Library of Greece completes the Neoclassic Athenian Trilogy	Memorial of National Reconciliation in Athens
The Old Parliament House in Athens housed the Greek Parliament between 1875 and 1935	Driving south along the coast from Athens, Greece	Greeks swimming in a rocky cove of the Aegean Sea	Greeks enjoying the Aegean Sea on a Sunday	Sunday on the coast of Greece
Saronic Gulf of Greece	Fish farm on the Saronic Gulf	Cape Sounion is the southernmost tip of the Attic peninsula in Greece	Cape Sounian controlled access to the Aegean Sea and the port of Piraeus as early as 6th century BC	The temple of Poseidon at Sounion was constructed in 444–440 BC
The Temple was built to honor Poseidon, god of the sea	Only 15 of the 34 original Doric columns are still standing today. The columns are of the Doric Order	Rocky cove near the location of two ship sheds in 413 BC	Remains of the settlement for 2nd-3rd Century BC	Remains of a fortress from Peloponnesian War (413 BCE)
The path Bill chose to take instead of the steps	Village Greek Orthodox Church	Back in Athens, Greece	Regent Seven Seas Explorer at the port of Piraeus, Greece	Suite 753 on Regent Seven Seas Explorer
Pre-stocked bar in our cabin	The biggest walk-in closet we've seen on a ship	Double sinks always make life easier	Champagne on the balcony	Balcony view at the port of Piraeus
On our way to dinner at Sette Mari specialty restaurant	Pool deck on the Regent Seven Seas Explorer	A huge veal parmesan	Found people to party with on day 1	Deck 4 outside the Casino
Mykonos (island), Greece	Two impressive yachts in Mykonos	Starting our tour of Mykonos	Fishing boats in Mykonos	Fishermen in Mykonos
Mykonos Town Hall was built in 1785 as a residence for a Russian Count	Paraportiani consists of five churches started in 1425	Clear waters of the Aegean Sea & WIndstar ship at anchor	Neighborhood of 'Little Venice' in Mykonos began in the 13th Century	On the streets of Little Venice in Mykonos
Remains of the Castle of Mykonos (1207)	Mykonos is famous for its 16th Century Windmills	Mykonos Windmills were primarily used to mill wheat until the 20th Century	Norfolk Island Pine on Mykonos	Motorbike parking on Mykonos
The Island of Delos is the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis	Monastery of Panayia Tourliani (16th Century) in Ano Mera, Mykonos	Inside the Monastery of Panayia Tourliani on Mykonos	The Monastery is named for the icon of the Virgin Mary found near Tourlos	The altar screen in the monastery was made by Florentine artists in 1775
Pulpit in the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani	Belltower of the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani	Four Gospels and Gospel Lectionary, Venice 1803	Paper on leather letter of recommendation written in 1758	18th Century bier for carrying religious icons during religious processions
Interesting depiction of the crucifixion in the monastery museum	Details of the bottom of the cross	18th century Archangel Michael (egg tempura on wood with gold leaf)	Pina colada break at Agari Beach	Tsipouro is a grape-distilled spirit (40-45% alcohol)
Panoramic view of Mykonos Harbor	At Mykonos scenic overlook	Our small group tour of Mykonos	Watching the Ferries from our balcony	The Explorer production cast in Devos & Divas
Hazy morning on the Aegean Sea	Approaching the island of Santorini, Greece	Santorini represents the top of a mostly submerged caldera	Ships anchored off the coast of Santorini	Vineyards in Santorini are kept low to the ground because of strong winds
Harvesting grapes in Santorini	Path from port to one of the towns on Santorini	Modern houses patterned after windmills on Santorini	Oia is a pedestrian village on Santorini	Most photographed view of Oia village
Another view of Oia	Bell towers in Oia	Enjoying the sunshine in Oia	View of inside of the caldera from Oia	Blue-domed church in Oia
The Church of Panagia Platsani in Oia	The Virgin Mary overlooks the sea to bless the fishermen of Oia	Dome inside the Church of Panagia Platsani	Pebble mosaic in Oia	Cow-patterned cat in Oia shoe store
Agia Theodossia Church in the billage of Pyrgos, Santorini	Agios Nikolaos Church in Pyrgos, Santorini	There is an abundance of donkeys on Santorini	Long line for the cable car in Fira, Santorini	The cable car is the alternative to riding a donkey or walking down 588 steps to the port of Santorini
People walking down the 588 steps from Fira, Santorini to the port	Boat in the port of Skala below the town of Fira, Santorini	Houses on the cliff above the old port of Santorini	Balancing rocks on the Santorini caldera rim	Santorini caldera layers were formed between 180,000 and 3,600 years ago
Enjoying a Bailey's on the balcony after a hot day in Santorini	Each restaurant on the ship has unique dinner plates	Santorini sunset view from our table at dinner	Arriving in Heraklion, Greece on the Island of Crete	Docked in Heraklion, Greece
'Castello a Mare' at the old port of Hearaklion was completed in 1540 by the Venetians	Exploring the countryside of Crete	Our tour guide caught a locust to show us what was making all the noise	Entering the St. Irene of Kroussonas Monastery	Well at the St. Irene Monastery
St. Irene of Kroussonas Monastery was affluent in the 1600's	Inside the Monastery of St. Irene of Kroussonas	Mural of Mary in the Monastery	Small chapel at the Monastery of St. Irene	Mosaic outside of chapel at St. Irene Monastery
Interesting painting of Mary and Jesus	The Monastery of St. Irene is now a nunnery	Breakfast for a kitten at the Monastery	Not sure what to say about this picture at the Monastery	Coming down from the St. Irene of Kroussonas Monastery
Greek Orthodox Church in the Village of Kroussonas	Front of Greek Orthodox Church in the Village of Kroussonas	Bust of Anthony Grigorakis (called Satan) led the resistance against the German occupation of Crete in WWII	Small Church in Kroussonas, Greece	Overlooking the village of Kroussonas
Ruins from WWII bombing in Kroussonas	Outside Agios Charalambos Church in Kroussonas	Hole in roof of the church where locals trapped and burned 370 Turkish Albanians during the Cretan revolution	Inside the restored Agios Charalambos Church	Fresco of St. George inside the restored Agios Charalambos Church
Grape arbor in Kroussonas	Our two local tour guides serving bread and cheese from shop in the background	Museum of traditional music instruments in Kroussonas	Local musician demonstrating traditional instrument	Susan playing traditional jug instrument
Stop for lunch at local tavern in Kroussonas	Our table for lunch	Just a few of the traditional Cretan foods for lunch	Everyone was betting that the waiter couldn't carry all these dishes	Waiter carrying all the dishes from our table
Cretans have been growing olive trees since 3500 BC	Mount Juktas in Crete is is Zeus head watching at the sky	Sailing away from Heraklion, Crete	Plates at Prime 7 Steakhouse on Regent Seven Seas Explorer	Huge lobster tail on Surf and Turf
Caramel Popcorn Sundae for dessert	Can can dancers in 'Paradis'	Paradis' features Parisian style entertainment	Exotic costumes in Paradis'	Red sky morning on the Aegean Sea
Arriving at the port of Bodrum, Turkey	Bodrum's 4th Century BC theater was built to hold 13,000 people	Bodrum's 2,400 amphitheater is still used for concerts	The seating capacity of Bodrum amphitheater for modern concerts is 10,000	Decorations from the 4th Century BC entrance to Bodrum amphitheater
Cruise ship docked behind the 15th Century Castle of Saint Peter	Statue of Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey	Gulets are 2 or 3-masted sailboats built in Bodrum, Turkey	Gulets in Bodrum are popular for tourists charters	Bodrum Castle was built as the Castle of Saint Peter by the Knights of Saint John beginning in 1402
The walls of the Castle of Saint Peter are studded with 249 coats of arms	Cat lady in Bodrum, Turkey	A lot of the stones used in the construction came from the tomb of King Mausolus (353 BC)	600-year old Ottoman cannons at the Bodrum Castle. Peter	Coats of arms of the castle commander and Grand Master of the castle
Altars were used for rituals on family graves around 333-330 BC	Display of historical anchors -- including stone anchors on display	The Castle of Saint Peter was taken over by the Islamic Ottoman Empire in 1523 and the chapel was converte	Inside the Chapel-Mosque of the Castle of Saint Peter	Remains found inside the Chapel-Mosque of the Castle of Saint Peter
Entrance to the 'English Tower' in the Castle of Saint Peter	Sphinx statue from 355 BC	Pigeon house at Bodrum Castle	Amphora Jars are part of the Underwater Archaelogy exhibit at Bodrum Castle	Demonstration of how amphora jars were stored on early cargo ships
Weapons recovered from shipwreck estimated to be 11th century	Islamic glass artifacts from Serce Limani shipwreck around 1025 AD	There was an estimated two tons of raw glass aboard the Serce Limani shipwreck	Oil lamps from Yassıada shipwreck (est 7th century AD)	White Peacock at Bodrum Castle
Grand Master and Captain of Castle of St. Peter from 1518	Artifacts found in the necropolis of Halicarnassus (a 4th century BC Greek city)	A Kerch style vase found in the necropolis of Halicarnassus (a 4th century BC Greek city)	View of Bodrum from the top of the Bodrum Castle	Panoramic view of the Gulf of Kerme of the Aegean Sea
The Caarian Princess Exhibit at Bodrum Castle	Intact skeleton is estimated to have been buried 360-325 BC	A wax sculpture of the Carian Princess was created using facial recognition technology	Bronze sword and bone hilt pieces from 12th-11th century BC	Pair of eyes (5th-4th century BC) found in the Athena Sanctuary
Description of eyes found in the Athena Sanctuary	The English Tower, along with French, German, Italian, and Spanish towers housed the Knights of St. John	Lion from antiquity and coat of arms of Henry IV on the English Tower at Bodrum Castle	Bodrum castle was under Ottaman rule 1522-1923	Topography before the Castle of Saint Peter was built
Medieval Knights of St. John uniform. John uniform	Knight of St. John uniform. John uniform	Coats of arms of each the seven ethno-linguistic divisions of the Knights of St. John	The Spanish Tower sits behind artifacts from various periods of antiquity	The Spanish Tower is also known as the Snake Tower
The German Tower sits at the opposite end of the plaza from the Spanish Tower	Manhole cover in Bodrum decorated with the 'evil eye' to ward off evil	Turkish sweet shop	Turkish street food	Lunch at Turkish market
Tombik is a Turkish sandwich stuffed with meat	Adliye Mosque (1902) is adjacent to the main square in Bodrum, Turkey	Watching what I assume is a sailing school in Bodrum Bay	Sailing out of Bodrum, Turkey	Looking at Bodrum Castle as we sail away
Plates in Chartreuse French restaurant on Regent Seven Seas Explorer	View from Chartreuse at dinner	Sailing into Antalya, Turkey	Statue in Antalya, Turkey	Hadrian's Gate is triumphal arch in Antalya, Turkey
Hadrian's Gate was built in130 AD to commemorate Roman Emperor Hadrian’s visit to Attaleia (now Antalya)	Ruts in the marble in Hadrian's Gate from chariots	Archway is decorated with floral and rosette reliefs	Lion's heads on the cornice are believed to separate what was a second floor on Hadrian's Gate	Old Town Antalya
Signs in Old Town Antalya	Turkish pretzel vendor	Kesik Minaret (1361 AD) in Old Town Antalya	Ancient fountain in Anatalya, Turkey	Old city marina in Antalya
Long walk to the restroom at bar in Antalya	Street in Old Town Antalya	The Fluted Minaret of Antalya, first built in 1230, was reconstructed in 1373	The National Ascension Monument in Republic Square, Antalya	Entering the Antalya Archaeological Museum
Clay jar burial was practiced as early as 4500 BC and as recent as the 17th Century	Example of remains found inside burial jar	Pottery from 9th-7th Century BC	Pottery from 5th-4th Century BC	Limestone relief from 490-479 BC
One of the rooms in the Antalya Archaeological Museum	Emperor Hadrian Statue (2nd Century BC)	Aphrodite (goddess of sexual love & beauty) Statue (2nd Century AD)	Athena (goddess of battle strategy & wisdom) statue (2nd Century AD)	Zeus (chief Greek diety) statue (2nd Century AD)
Hermes (god of speed) statue (2nd Century AD)	Apollo (god of music, poetry, & dance) statue (2nd Century AD)	Hecate (goddess presiding over magic and spells) statue (3rd Century AD)	Interesting sculpture at the Antalya Archaeological Museum	Really big statue of Hermes (2nd Century)
Hercules (god of strength) statue (2nd Century AD)	Scene of Sacrifice frieze (2nd Century AD)	The Hercules Sarcophagus (2nd Century AD)	Sarcophagus of Aurelia Botiane & Demetria (2nd Centruy AD)	Roman Sarcophagus lid with Lion
Bill with large burial jar	Plate from Pacific Rim Pan-Asian restaurant on RSSC Explorer	Fried Lobster appetizer	View of Rhodes, Greece from our balcony	The defensive walls around the city of Rhodes date to the 4th Century BC
Two identical houses in Rhodes built as a dowry for two daughters in accordance with tradition	Lindos is said to be founded by the Doriansa around the 10th Century BC	Belltower of the Church of Panagia (1300 AD)	Pebble Mosaic in Lindos, Rhodes, Greece	Looking down on the village of Lindos
An ancient triimolia (a kind of ship) carved in the rock circa 180-170 BC at the Lindos Acropolis	Steps leading to the 14th Century fortress built by the Knights of St. John	The Castle of the Knights of St. John was built on the remains of Byzantine fortifications	Our tour guide shows what the Temple of Athena would have looked like in the 4th Century BC	Susan waiting in the shade rather than taking the rocky trail to the top
People on the rocky climb to the Temple of Athena at the Lindos Acropolis	Remains of the Temple of Athena Lindia from 4th Century BC	At the Temple of Athena Lindia above St. Paul's Bay on Rhodes	Cliffs in the background were used in the 1961 'Guns of Navarrone'	Remains of the 13th or 14th Century Church of St. John on the Acropolis of Lindos
Staircase of the Propylaea (gateway) to the Temple of Athena Lindia	A semicircular exedra of the priest Pasiphon (2nd Century BC)	The steep steps built in the 14th Century by the Knights of St. John	Last look at the Acropolis of Lindos	Ottoman influence in the city of Rhodes
Columns at entranve to Mandraki Harbor's stand where the legendary Colossus of Rhodes stood in 280 BC	The Fort of Saint Nicholas was build between 1464 and 1467 by the Knights of St. John	Eli Beach boardwalk in Rhodes	Mosque of Murat Reis (1524) in Rhodes Town	Coat of Arms of Grand-Master Emery d'Amboise above the Amboise Gate
Entering the Gate d’Amboise in the Palace of the Grand Masters in Rhodes	Italy took control of Rhodes in 1912 and began restoration of the castle in 1930	The History Palace in Rhodes dates back to the end of the Byzantine period	Cat walks and ramparts along the top of the city walls were used by sentries	The courtyard of the palace contains statues of Roman Emporers from the Hellenistic period (323 BC - 33 BC)
Mosaic floor moved from the island of Kos, Greece dates to 3rd Century AD	Trophy from the cemetery in the ancient city of Rhodes (1st Century BC)	During restoration, Hellenistic, Roman, and Early Christian mosaics were taken from the island of Kos to rebuild the floors	Ceiling in the Palace of the Grand Masters in Rhodes	Mosaic of Medusa (3rd Century AD) from the island of Kos
Vaulted ceiling in the Palace of the Grand Masters	The Palace of the Grand Master was used as a holdiay residence for King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy	Mosaic floor in the Palace of the Grand Master	Venetian glass chandelier in the Palace of the Grand Master	Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini occupied and carried out extensive renovations on the Palace of Grand Master
Angel Gabriel and Virgin Mary	Street of the Knights in Rhodes is one of the best preserved Medieval streets in Europe	There were 7 inns (palatial residences) on the Street of Knights from each country of the Knights of St. John	The Inn of France is the most ornate of all the inns with crocodile gargoyles adorning the roof	The crocodile gargoyle was supposedly to honor the Grand Master for killing a crocodile that terrified the city of Rhodes
The German inn on the Street of Knights	The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is in the former Hospital of the Order of the Knights of St John	Old catapult stone ball projectiles	One of the areas used as a hospital by the Knights of St. John	Coat of Arms of Crispi next to an angry-looking lion of St Mark
Head of Kouros found in Camirus (6th Century BC)	Marble funerary stele of Krito (daughter) and Timarista (mother) from 420-410 BC	Pebble mosaic shows mythical hero Bellerophon on his winged horse Pegasos preparing to strike the Chimaira	White & grey pebble mosaic shows a Centaur with a hare he killed with his sling	Docked in Kusadasi, Turkey
Our view of the Byzantine Fortress of Kusadasi	Hand of Peace sculpture in Kusadasi, Turkey	The House of the Virgin Mary is located on Mt. Koressos in Turkey\	It is believed that Mary was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there for the remainder of her earthly life	The shrine has been visited by several Popes -- including Paul VI, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI
Mary & Jesus are mentioned in the Koran	'Wishing Wall' where pilgrims tie their personal intentions on paper or fabric	Ephesus was built in the 10th century BC and was the 2nd most important city in Asia in the 5th and 6th centuries	Odeum Theater in Ephesus was commissioned around 150 AD and served as a city council chamber	The Prytaneion of Ephesus is where religious ceremonies, official receptions, and banquets were held (3rd Century BC)
Memmius Monument in Ephesus was built in the 1st century AD by Augustus	Susan with the Greek Symbol of Medicine in Ephesus, Turkey	The Hercules Gate served to halt horse and chariot traffic in the 4th century forcing visitors to walk from here	Legend says that people who are able to touch both sides of the Hercules Gate will gain great strength	The marble relief of the Greek goddess of victory Nike (1st - 2nd century AD) decorated the arch over Hercules Gate
Crowds on Curetes Street in Ephesus in 2022	Curetes Street in Ephesus when we visited Ephesus in 1998	Nymphaeum Traiani (102-114 AD) in Ephesus was built as a fountain to honor the goddess Artemis and Emperor Trajan	Terrace Houses of Ephesus consist of six 1st Century BC luxury Roman Villas	Mosaic street in front of Terrace Houses (also known as Houses of the Rich) in Ephesus
The Temple of Hadrian was built before 138 A.D and was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hadrian	The free public latrine in Ephesus had fresh water flowing underneath and in the channel in front for cleaning	Public Toilet in Ephesus wasn't roped off in 1998	Hadrian’s Gate is a triumphal arch in Ephesesus where the Queen of Sheba passed on her way to visit King Solomon	The Library of Celsus (117 AD) was a repository of over 12,000 scrolls
The Library of Celsus was important to Christianity since Christianity placed great emphasis on the written word	Four statues adorn the Library of Celsus representing Sophia (Wisdom), Arete (Bravery), Episteme (Knowledge) and Ennoia (Thought	Celsus, Governor of the Roman province of Asia in 115 AD, is buried in a sarcophagus beneath the library	The Mercantile Agora of Ephesus was entered by the 1st Century AD Gate of Mazeus and Mithradates	A boy found a dog under the Gate of Mazeus and Mithradates
The Commercial Agora of Ephesus was surrounded by colonnaded porticoes	Beside the Agora of Ephesus were a series of shops with some dating to the 8th Century BC	St. Paul worked in the Ephesus Agora with Priscilla and Aquila in their tentmaking and leatherworking business	'Roman Soldier' on a hil overlooking the Ephesus Agora	The Great Theater in Ephesus (250 BC) has a capacity of 25,000 seats
The Apostle Paul delivered a sermon condemning pagan worship in this theater	Fruit table at lunch	A sarcophagus outside the Ephesus Archeological Museum	Coins that were used from 27 BC to 268 AD	Resting Warrior (69 AD)
Marble Sarcophagos with Eros (3rd Century AD)	Late Roman Gladiator Relief	Marble Griffin Statue (3rd Century BC)	Marble Griffin Head (3rd Century BC)	Anatolian Mother Goddess (5,750 BC)
Model of the Temple of Artemis which was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World	Statue of Artemis inside the model of the temple	Bronze Griffin Head (8th-7th Century BC)	Artemis Statue (1st Century AD)	Artemis Statue (2nd Centruy AD)
Head and Arm of Roman Emperor Domitian (reigned 81-96 AD)	The Palm Wings Ephesus Beach Resort & Spa is just one of many Kusadasi resorts on the Aegean Sea	The Kusadasi Downtown Beach	Demonstration on extracting silk from the cocoons	This catches the silk to extract from the cocoon
Handmade carpet using pattern of the oldest carpet in the world (5th Century BC)	Ataturk statue overlooking Kusadasi, Turkey	Sailing past the Alkoclar Adakule Hotel Kusadasi	Back at Prime 7 Steakhouse for an 18-oz bone-in ribeye	Regent Seven Seas Explorer at anchor offshore from Dikili, Turkey with sky & water the same color
Wind farm outside of Dikili, Turkey	Interesting Mosque in Bergama, Turkey	Cows grazing outside the entrance to the ruins of Pergamon	Entering the Pergamon Asklepion which was an important health treatment and curing center from 4th Century BC to 2nd Centruy AD	The Pergamon Asklepion was the lower part of a 220 acre city
Truncated column with the two snake symbols of Asclepius, Greek god of healing	Asclepius association of snakes with medicine is still seen in medical symbols today	People came here for long term stays to get rehabilitated, so entertainment was provided in this theater	Askeplion Theater could hold 3500 people	Steps in the theater were decorated with Griffin feet
A tortoise at the Pergamon Asklepion	People were purified in this sacred fountain before treatment (still flowing 2500 years later)	Underground passage leads to the Healing Center of Asceplion	Water flowed down the stairs and through the tunnel for use in the healing center	Tunnel to the Aceplion Healing Center
These clay pipes in the ceiling of the healing center are thought to provide showers for patients	Back above ground in the Pergamon Asceplion	View of the Pergamon Acropolis from the Asceplion below	Cable cars to the top of the Pergamon Acropolis	Pergamon was founded in the 3rd century BC as the capital of the Attalid dynasty
Overlooking the city of Bergama, Turkey (sits on top of ancient city of Pergamon)	The sanctuary of the Temple of Trajan was built in the 2nd century AD and supported by a row of eleven arched tunnels	The Pergamon Theater (built in the 3rd BC) held 10,000 people and was the steepest in the ancient world	Susan in the shade or the Temple of Trajan (Trajaneum) at Pergamon	The Temple of Trajan at Pergamon was built around 114 BC
Inside the Temple of Trajan at Pergamon	View of the Kestel Dam below Pergamon from the cable car	Returning to the ship on a tender boat	Attending the Regent Seven Seas 30th Anniversary Celebration	RSSC Explorer Cruise Director and entertainment staff
Ice Sculpture and canapes	David, Susan, and Barbara	Three entertainers who will be on Voyager with us next year	Susan, Bill, Jill, Paul, Ann, & Bill	Hazy morning in Istanbul
View of Istanbul and the Blue Mosque from our balcony on the RSSC Explorer	View of Galata Tower & Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul	Muslim policewoman in Istanbul	Viewing the European side of Istanbul from the ferry	'New Valide Sultan Mosque' (1665) in Istanbul
Ships docked in Istanbul, Turkey	Gull following the ferry on the Bosphorus Strait	Turkish flag flying on the back of the ferry in Istanbul	The European side of Istanbul from the rear deck of the ferry	Selimiye Barracks (1828) is where Florence Nightingale served 1854-57
Waiting toride the nostalgic tram through the Asian side of Istanbul	The Kadıkoy Carsısı market is realistic depiction of the Asian side of Istanbul	Tripe, pig knuckle, and calf head for sale at Kadıkoy Carsısı market	Having lunch at a restaurant on the Asian side of Istanbul	Some of the dishes for lunch in Asian Istabul
Turkish desserts at Yanyali Restaurant	The Asian side of Istanbul is primarily residential and shopping	Susan found a new hat on the Asian side of Istanbul	Donut vendor on the Asian side of Istanbul	Bavarian Cream-filled Donut in Istanbul
Saloon Burger is a Turkish chain with over 35 locations in Istanbul	Street of shoe vendors in Asian Istanbul (mostly knock-offs of American brands)	'Lokma' is fried dough soaked in sugar syrup or honey	Imperial College of Medicine of Marmara University in Istanbul	Message above the Blue Mosque at night
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul	The German Fountain sits at the north end of the old hippodrome in Istanbul	The German Fountain was constructed to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II's visit to Istanbul in 1898	Two obelisks stand at the south end of the old hippodrome of Athens	The Obelisk of Theodosius and Obelisk of Constantine in Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul
The Obelisk of Theodosius was erected in 1500 BC and stood at the Karnak Temple in Egypt before being brought to Istanbul in 390	Dinner in the Kumkapi District of Istanbul on the Marmara Sea	Dinner at CaPaRi Seafood Restaurant in Istanbul	This is the same man in the poster behind him selling 'Dondurma' (elastic Turkish ice cream)	'Dondurma' is ice cream made with a tree resin and the roots of wild mountain orchids which adds elasticity
Bill just wanted to try 'dondurma' but ended up as part of a show	Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge viewed from the Galata Bridge in Istanbul	October 29th is Republic Day in Turkey	Dolmabahce Palace was the home of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922	Dolmabahce Palace was built between 1843 and 1856
Over 14 tons of gold were used to gild the ceilings in Dolmabahce Palace	Bedroom of Sultan Abdulaziz in Dolmabahce Palace	Reception hall in Dolmabahce Palace	Sultan's Hamam (Turkish bath) is decorated with Egyptian alabaster	Mustafa Kemal Atatürk spent the last days of his life in Dolmabahce Palace and died in this room in 1938
Statue in the garden of Dolmabahce Palace	Guinea Hens in the garden of Dolmabahce Palace	Fountain in the garden of Dolmabahce Palace	Lots of cats in Turkey -- including on the grounds of Dolmabahce Palace	Gardens of Dolmabahce Palace
Gate of the Sultan in Dolmabache Palace	Dolmabache Clock Tower near the Gate of the Treasury	Entering the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul	The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world	The Grand Bazaar has 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops
The origins of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul date to the 15th Century AD	Daytime visit to the Obelisk of Theodosius	Marble pedestal under the Obelisk of Theodosius has reliefs dating to the time of the obelisk's re-erection in Constantinople	The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque	The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was originally an Orthodox 'Church of the Holy Wisdom'
Entering the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque	Muslims perform cleansing at this fountain built in 1740 by Sultan Mahmut I before entering Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque	Susan had to wear Bill's hat to meet requirements for women to have heads covered at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque	The Hagia Sophia was the religious and spiritual centre of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly one thousand years	The Hagia Sophia was built as the Christian Cathedral of Constantinople between 532 and 537
The dome in Hagia Sophia has 40 windows surrounding it	Hagia Sophia was a mosque from 1453-1935, then a museum, and reverted back to a mosque in 2018	Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque allows visitors; even during the Muslim call to prayer	Mosaic in the southwest vestibule of Hagia Sophia	The Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III (built in 1728) stands behind the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
The Fountain of Ahmed III sits in the great square in front of the Imperial Gate of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul	The Fountain of Ahmed III provided free drinking water to residents of Constantinople	Hotel Valide Sultan is only steps away from Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul	Old city walls of Istanbul were built in the 4th-5th Centuries AD	Structure in Istanbul built around 1453 as a bathhouse is now used as a warehouse
Galata tower was built in 1348 and is one of the oldest towers in the world	The Spice Bazaar (also called Egyptian Bazaar) was built in 1664	Pandeli is a restaurant in the Egyptian Bazaar that has been in business for over 100 years	Pandeli has hosted celebrities, including Queen Elizabeth II, Audrey Hepburn, Sean Connery, and Robert de Niro	Pandeli Restaurant is known for its colorful tile work
Crowds of shoppers on Republic Day (a holiday to celebrate Turkish independence)	Skyline of Maslak, the main business district of Istanbul	Istanbul Airport opened in 2018	Istanbul Airport bills itself as a 'Child and Family Friendly Airport'	Istanbul Airport offer a free tour using the 'İGA Children's Train'
At the Istanbul Airport	Leaving Istanbul	Arriving at Nevsehir, Turkey Airport	First look at our room in the Utopia Cave Hotel	Rooms are designed to give the feeling of sleeping in a cave
Antique telephone is still functional	Arriving at launch site for our hot air balloon over Cappadocia, Turkey	First hot air balloons are in the air over Cappadocia	In the hot air basket waiting to launch	Cappadocia’s landscape developed 60 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity and erosion
100-150 balloons fly over Cappadocia daily (weather permitting)	Cappadocia landscape includes towers, cones, valleys, and caves formed by water and wind erosion	Towns in Cappadocia co-exist with cones previously used as shelter by people as early as 4th Century BC	Aboard our hot air balloon	Flying over agriculture in Cappadocia
Rock formations in Cappadocia are often called 'fairy chimneys'	Cappadocia residences were dug out of the soft volcanic rock	The Turkish government banned living in fairy chimneys, but this solar panel would suggest otherwise	The dogs on this property would also support my feeling that the fairy chimney is occupied	The top of a hot air balloon peeks up from its descent into a canyon
Our hot air balloon descending into a canyon in Cappadocia	Flying down a canyon in Cappadocia	Farming in a canyon in Cappadocia	At 8 AM from deep in a canyon it looks like sunrise	Rising out of a Cappadocia canyon
Colors of rock make this look like a scene from the Arctic	Flying over a pumpkin field in Cappadocia	Uchisar (means Outer Citadel) is a village in Cappadocia, Turkey	It's hard to fully appreciate the Cappadocian landscape on the ground	Large mosaic on the ground near a balloon landing zone
Legend says that Cappodocia comes from the Hittite word 'Katpatuka' which means 'Land of Beautiful Horses'	Farms in Cappadocia	Soft volcanic rock (tuff) topped with harder basalt which erodes more slowly	Different speeds of erosion creates interesting rock formations	Coming in for a landing in Cappadocia
The pilot set the basket down on this trailer	The tradtional post-flight champagne toast (our pilot on the right)	Another Hot Air Balloon Certificate for our collection	Back at the Utopia Cave Hotel	Relaxing outside our room at Utopia Cave Hotel
Bridge from our room to the hotel restaurant	Utopia Cave Hotel Restaurant is visible from our room	Wall of wine bottles at entrance to restaurant	Visiting Kaymakli Underground City (built around 8th-7th Centuries BC)	Feeding troughs for animals kept on the top floor of Kaymakli Underground City
The city was greatly expanded and deepened 780-1180 AD	Small chapel built by Christian inhabitants who occupied the city from the 4th to the 14th Centuries AD	Millstone in Kaymakli Underground City	The tunnels of Kaymakli are lower, narrower, and more steeply inclined than other underground cities in the Cappadocia region	One of several wineries found in Kaymakli Underground City
Huge stones were rolled across doorways to protect against invaders	One of the ventilation shafts in Kaymakli Underground City	Kaymakli has a total of 8 floors as deep as 12.5 miles	Storage rooms and areas for earthenware jars on the fourth floor indicates some economic stability in Kaymakli	A kitchen in Kaymakli Underground City which housed as many as 5,000 people at one time
Block formation of andesite (a volcanic rock) with several holes (used in Kaymakli for cold copper processing)	Bill was almost too tall to visit Kaymakli Underground City without crawling on hands and knees	Underground caves (with a constant temperature 55.4 degrees) are now used to store fruit and vegetables awaiting export	Woman weaving rug using Turkish double knots	Hand-woven Turkish rug that looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting
Lunch at Areni Cappadocia in Urgup, Turkey	There are always lots of Mezes (appetizers) in Turkey	'Testi Kebab' is a regional specialty where meat and spices are cooked in a sealed clay pot for about 3 hours	Cappadocia roundabout honoring 'the land of beautiful horses'	This 6-7 story rock mass is known as the 'Nunnery' and contains dining hall, kitchen, ruined chapel, and some living quarters
The Goreme churches contain many frescoes, but photography is not allowed	The Goreme Open Air Museum contains 15 rock-cut churches and 11 refectories from the 10th - 12th Centuries AD	Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise) dating to the mid-11th Century AD	It was hot and we were tired so I zoomed the exterior of the Dark Church	The Last Supper is a frescoe that is found in the Dark Church
Entrance to the Maltese Cross Church in Goreme Open Air Museum	The Snake Church in Goreme Open Air Museum	Fresco in the Snake Church at Goreme Open Air Museum	St. Barbara's Chapel in Goreme Open Air Museum	Nave & Apse in St. Barbara's Chapel. Barbara's Chapel
Fresco in St. Barbara's Chapel depicts the devil defeated by crosses in his attempt to convince monks to abandon their monastic	Tokali (buckle) Church is the oldest rock-cut church in the region (9th Century)	Tokli Church interior has been under restoration since 1970	I'm not sure this is the photo stop our guide had in mind	Devrent Valley is also called as 'Imagination Valley'
Camel rock in Devrent Valley in Cappadocia	Pasabagi Valley Police Station is housed in a Fairy Chimney	Walking through Pasabagi Valley	Pasabagi Valley is famous for its wonderful lanscape and the best collection of fairy chimneys in Cappadocia	Interesting rock formation in Pasabagi Valley
Rock formation in Pasabagi Valley looks like something out of a Tolkein novel	St. Simeon lived in the top of this hollowed out chimney (5th C) & only descended for food and drink delivered by his disciples	This dog joined our group and stayed until the end of the walk	Avanos, Turkey is famous for its pottery which has been made here since the time of the Hittites (2000 BC)	House in Avanos, Turkey decorated with pottery
Watching a potter using a kick wheel in Avanos, Turkey	Traditionally in Cappadocia, a boy couldn’t get married if he didn’t know how to make a clay pot	Pottery at Omurlu Ceramics has been produced here since 1807	Hand-painting pottery at Omurlu Ceramics	Detailed painting of pottery at Omurlu Ceramics
Wine jugs are based on the Hittite design from 4,000 years ago	Some unique pottery from Omurlu Ceramics	Another amazing pottery piece at Omurlu Ceramics	A framed pottery piece at Omurlu Ceramics	The Kızılırmak (Red River ) is the longest river in Turkey and supplies the red clay for pottery
Susan in front of an 'evil eye' tree	Uchisar (means 'Outer Citadel') is a village in the Cappadocia region of Turkey	Uchisar 'Castle' was the main point of defense for the Cappadocia region in the 15th and 16th centuries	Unforgettable restaurant where we learned that our flight home was cancelled	Not all of Cappadocia is caves and fairy chimneys
Player grand piano in Turkish Air Business Lounge in Istanbul	Golf Simulator in Turkish Air Business Lounge in Istanbul	One of 20 food and drink stations in the Turkish Air Business Lounge in Istanbul	On-site food preparation at Turkish Air Business Lounge in Istanbul	Turkish and international dishes are available in the Turkish Air Business Lounge in Istanbul
Kids enjoying the Turkish Air Business Lounge in Istanbul	Turkish Airlines has an onboard chef in Business Class