Venice

Split, Croatia

Our last full day of the cruise. Two days in Venice and back home. It has been a wonderful vacation, filled with adventure and unexpected delights. Assuming I can find internet access in Venice I will update for the final time there. But before that Iwanted to thank the following people for their support for making this all possible. If I forget anyone I humbly apologize now.... Carolyn, Sarah, Nicole, Hannah, Pam, Kristal, Susan, Andrew, Mom and Francis, Sheryl and Jack, Amy, Steve, Lynn, Tom (for taking his leave just before mine and breaking ground!) and numerous unknown folks that made this trip as memorable as it has been.







Diocletians palace, very cool and continously occupied since 450 AD or so..



















Farmers market in Split













The main square, a really nice place.
















Leaving Split on the tender












A last look.............

Mykonos

Only a half day in Mykonos. it was windy and cool.A pretty island but not much doing at this time of year. their season is over and most shops were closed. Here are some views of it.

Istanbul Visit

We arrived at 2 pm. By 230 we were off the ship and a tram ride, most modern, most clean, most convenient! And we were at the grand bazaar in 15 minutes! Lots of stuff to see and buy. A late dinner and we were off to an early start. We managed to get in the Cistern of Justinain, the Hippodrome with the Obelisk and Serpentine column and Constantines' obelisk. Follwed that with a visit to both the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia and then unfortunately time to return to the ship for our 5 pm departure. Too much to see to little time!




The Grand Bazaar, 4000 shops.....

Dolly fending off the pitchmen..












The Cistern of Justinian
(6th Century)















Interior of Hagia Sophia













The Blue Mosque











Hagia Sophia from in front of the Blue Mosque

A short walk to the train station and off to the Acropolis. Heavy rain this morning but it became partly cloudy and we even saw sun after we had been there for a little while. A nice walk back to the train station through the area know as the Palaka. Lots of souvenir stands and many, many restaurants. The port of Athens is a very busy place with lots of ferries and small coastal boats and ships going everywhere.




Hadrians' Library












The Palaka, a pedestrian shopping and dining area











An amphitheater near the Acropolis



















A most najestic building. Hard to believe it was built in the 5th century BC.










Another view.

Off the ship at 8. We rented cab and driver for the day. Spent most of the day at Herculaneum and Pompei. Just so impressive it is hard to believe even when you there. I have few pictures below. Again they cannot convey the true impression of these places. Then we drove along the coast to the town of Sorrento and had a taste of Pizza from this area. Very good!. Tomorrow a day at sea and of rest. So probably no update until Sunday.






A street in Pompei
















A view along a street in Pomei. It is really large.



















A view of Herculaneum













One of the structures there














A view of Vesuvius on the right.