The munchkins having yet some more gelato.
Gorgeous, huh? God sure created some amazing places on this earth.
A Pompeiian "fast food" shop. Each bowl was filled with hot water and the food placed over to keep warm and then served to passers by.
All the bathroom water was emptied into the streets which were on a hill. They were continually flooded with water to keep the streets clean. Thus the stepping stones to cross the street. The chariots were tall enough to go over the stones. You can see the wheel grooves.
Well, we're cruising!
Quick update: Sat. am, in Rome, we went to the Christian Catacombs and the church of St. Clemente :) The underground cemeteries were fascinating. They were dug when Christianity began to grow in Rome and Christians 1. didn't want to be cremated, anticipating resurrection and 2. they couldn't afford land, being poor, so they purchased small amounts of land and went under to dig their graves. Not only Christians are buried there and the widespread story that Christians hid in these catacombs during persecution is exaggerated but not untrue. They didn't hide in the big ones because they would have been caught but they did find refuge in the small ones.
We made it to the ship in plenty of time. It's not a boat, it's a floating city!!! It's gigantic!!!!
Craig got us a room with two bedrooms and two baths so we are plenty comfy. Ellie gets called princess every turn we take and Drew Preston has started addressing her as Peasant Ellie lest she get too puffed up and be unbearable when we get home. We were climbing some stairs the other day and she was trying to get by the boys saying, "Queen coming through, Queen coming through." Oh boy.
The ship doesn't seem to rock too much, seas are calm. No one seasick yet.
Yesterday, Sunday, we awoke to Naples, or Napoli, as the Ialians say. There was a castle right outside our window. We left the boat to go with yet another guide (it actually works out cheaper, or the same, to have a private guide vs. paying per person for a group tour). We went to the ruins of Pompeii!!! It was so cool. We have studied and been fascinated with the story of Pompeii for so long and to actually walk down its streets was like a dream.
Our driver then took us to some quaint little villages along the coast. Looked just like all those pictures and paintings you've ever seen. The roads were quite curvy and so the kids didn't do too well (no one threw up, thank goodness) but the scenery was delightful. We didn't get to stop at the farm where they make mozerella b/c it was Sunday but we went to a resturant and had cheese and olives. REALLY fresh mozerella. I don't know if I'll ever be able to enjoy Kraft's again.
Back on the ship we walked around awhile and then went to dinner. Dinner at sea is a treat. The waiter shakes your napkin out for you and scrapes the crumbs off the table in between dinner and dessert. Our waiter is ours for the trip. His name is Mariano, from the Phillipines. He does magic tricks for Ellie and gave her an origami rose he had folded. I think we all need to start calling her Peasant Ellie!!!!
The rock climbing wall is a big hit. Drew Preston got put on intermediate level first thing and scurried right to the top. Little monkey.
Athens tomorrow! I think we won't be able to go up the Acropolis because of some ministry of archeology strike but hopefully we'll at least get to see it.
Quick update: Sat. am, in Rome, we went to the Christian Catacombs and the church of St. Clemente :) The underground cemeteries were fascinating. They were dug when Christianity began to grow in Rome and Christians 1. didn't want to be cremated, anticipating resurrection and 2. they couldn't afford land, being poor, so they purchased small amounts of land and went under to dig their graves. Not only Christians are buried there and the widespread story that Christians hid in these catacombs during persecution is exaggerated but not untrue. They didn't hide in the big ones because they would have been caught but they did find refuge in the small ones.
We made it to the ship in plenty of time. It's not a boat, it's a floating city!!! It's gigantic!!!!
Craig got us a room with two bedrooms and two baths so we are plenty comfy. Ellie gets called princess every turn we take and Drew Preston has started addressing her as Peasant Ellie lest she get too puffed up and be unbearable when we get home. We were climbing some stairs the other day and she was trying to get by the boys saying, "Queen coming through, Queen coming through." Oh boy.
The ship doesn't seem to rock too much, seas are calm. No one seasick yet.
Yesterday, Sunday, we awoke to Naples, or Napoli, as the Ialians say. There was a castle right outside our window. We left the boat to go with yet another guide (it actually works out cheaper, or the same, to have a private guide vs. paying per person for a group tour). We went to the ruins of Pompeii!!! It was so cool. We have studied and been fascinated with the story of Pompeii for so long and to actually walk down its streets was like a dream.
Our driver then took us to some quaint little villages along the coast. Looked just like all those pictures and paintings you've ever seen. The roads were quite curvy and so the kids didn't do too well (no one threw up, thank goodness) but the scenery was delightful. We didn't get to stop at the farm where they make mozerella b/c it was Sunday but we went to a resturant and had cheese and olives. REALLY fresh mozerella. I don't know if I'll ever be able to enjoy Kraft's again.
Back on the ship we walked around awhile and then went to dinner. Dinner at sea is a treat. The waiter shakes your napkin out for you and scrapes the crumbs off the table in between dinner and dessert. Our waiter is ours for the trip. His name is Mariano, from the Phillipines. He does magic tricks for Ellie and gave her an origami rose he had folded. I think we all need to start calling her Peasant Ellie!!!!
The rock climbing wall is a big hit. Drew Preston got put on intermediate level first thing and scurried right to the top. Little monkey.
Athens tomorrow! I think we won't be able to go up the Acropolis because of some ministry of archeology strike but hopefully we'll at least get to see it.
Praying for Beverly!
Praying for Ivy!
Prayers answered! No sea sickness!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for your friends-Beverly and Ivy!
Oh Robyn! When I read about the Pompeii part, I got tears in my eyes! How supurbly exciting! Thanks for keeping us posted. I love reading each and every word...keeps me from crying too much over the thought of a certain someone at my house graduating from high school. I told him yesterday that when I look at him and cry for the next month to just hug me or ignore me. But not to worry. :0 Enjoy each and every minute! Love you sooooo much!Jan Marie
ReplyDeleteProbably lots of strikes in Greece these days. They are having to make some very tough cuts to their government spending due to overspending the past few years. I'm curious what average Greeks think about the government right now.
ReplyDeleteJohn in AK
We look forward to reading where you are and what you are doing. The pictures make everything come alive. When Daddy saw the one of the little car he asked if y'all all fit in it... Glad the seas have been calm. All's well here. We love you, M & D
ReplyDeleteTrisha would say it's all about the food! Enjoy that cheese! And magic tricks from your personal waiter.
ReplyDelete