Tuesday, April 13, 2010
We had another wonderful time on the ship last evening.
Before dinner, we attended a Matinee Production titled Standing Room Only. We find this show to be very uplifting as it features songs from various Broadway Shows. We enjoy the dancing, singing and all of the nice set displays. As many times as we have seen this show we enjoy it each and every time. Just like certain Broadway Shows or favorite movies we focus in on various aspects of the show each time we see it and even changes in the cast change up the show to some extent.
After this show we had dinner with five other people. This included three fellow passengers who we dined with last month who invited us to dine with them this evening at Silk Road. In addition, one other solo woman traveler who is on for the duration of the World Cruise dined with us along with Cruise Director Rick Spath. We all enjoyed a wonderful meal and a great discussion. It was a lot of fun.
After dinner we attended the “International Cocktail Party”. Guests were asked to wear local attire or cultural clothing that we had purchased sometime during our journey since leaving Miami, Florida. Complimentary cocktails were provided and there was dancing to live music by the Crystal Sextet. Keith wore an outfit that he had purchased In Abu Dhabi knowing that there would be the opportunity to wear it for this event. For better or worse, Keith did get a lot of complements on the outfit from the moment he walked out of our stateroom and a few fellow passengers were in the hallway to the time we entered the room and over the course of the next 45 minutes ran into quite a lot of people we know. Several passengers came in special dress. Towards the end of the event all of those who were dressed in the special attire were asked to come to the dance floor for a special photo shoot and several of us danced. We both danced quite a bit last night. Maybe it was Keith’s attire that made him want to dance. J Oh, and he was quite warm in that Middle East attire which prompted Anne Marie to remind him how hot she and the other women were in places such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and a couple of other countries when the women had to cover their heads, necks, etc. So, Keith got a better appreciation for that. J The party was a lot of fun. Complimentary drinks were provided. As we were returning to our room, we ran into our butler Alexander who definitely got a chuckle seeing Keith in his Middle East attire.
There was another show later in the evening but we passed on that one.
We slept very well last night as we sailed to Kusadasi, Turkey.
Keith woke up early to begin another day by working out at the Fitness Center. He was the first to arrive. He worked out on the Elliptical Machine. Since we were arriving to port fairly early this morning the only two people working out were Keith and fellow regular John. Keith and John talked for most of the workout, which made the time go by very quickly. For the portion of the workout that Keith was alone he watched the a portion of the PBS evening News Hour program which continues to be shown on the Voice Of America Television Station. He has been enjoying that station. After his workout he stopped by the Lido Café to bring some coffee back to the room. He spoke briefly with John’s wife Linda and one other passenger and also to Lido Deck Steward Ruel. Afterwards, it was Anne Marie’s turn and she worked out on the Treadmill. Like Keith, she stopped by the Lido Café to bring some coffee back to the room.
Keith managed to do some laundry while Anne Marie was working out and then got ready to go into port.
Around the time that Anne Marie got back to the room there was a knock on the door by Alexander who set up our breakfast, which we enjoyed in our room.
Since this is our forth time to Kusadasi we did not sign up for any shore excursions.
Kusadasi means “bird island” I slocated in the gulf of the Aegean Region of Turkey. It has become a major tourist area for those living near this area of the world. In addition it has become a major tourist center for those reaching it by cruise shop. It is a beautiful seaside resort. It is known for its beautiful waters, its sandy beaches and its large marina. There are many local shops in town that sell a variety of leather goods from purses to jackets, along with many other jewelry shops and shops that sell rugs.
The population of Kusadasi is around 70,000 inhabitants.
This port of call is the gateway to a couple of historical sites. The major site is Ephesus, which at one time supported of a population estimated at 250,000 people. The ruins from this city are truly amazing from the marble streets to the Hadrian Temple, to the houses to the amphitheatre. Another site that many visitors travel to is the House of Mary. This location is supposed to be the last-known location of Mary at the time of her death. There is still controversy about whether her burial occurred in this location or in Jerusalem.
For those who visit here for the first time we highly recommend visiting Ephesus. It is located slightly less than twenty miles from the port and was an ancient Greek city and one of twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek period as well as a religious center of early Christianity. The city included the Temple of Artemis, which was completed around 550 BCE and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There is so much to do and see at Ephesus and they continue to do excavation.
After breakfast we went ashore and we visited the Grand Bazaar which is the largest outdoor shopping center in Kusadasi offering a variety of leather clothes, gold jewelry and souvenirs.
We went back to a shop where we had bought a few items on our last visit here three years ago. Not only was the shop there but the same person who helped us with some purchase the last time we were here greeted us at the front door. He has had his business in this one location for the past nineteen years.
As we walked around the various shops we heard similar lines from many of the shopkeepers such as;
“It my turn now.” “Come inside my shop.” “Genuine Copy Rolex Watches for sale.” “Would you like to buy a carpet.”? “Can I help you spend your money?” We did visit a couple of other shops and made an additional purchase.
Oh, and whatever item you do purchase the shopkeeper will ask you if you would like him to take you to a carpet store.
Actually, we enjoyed the experience. The first time we visited this port and Istanbul back in the 1990’s it was all a learning experience. But now we find it an easy process. It’s much easier than buying a new car at home and a lot less expensive. J
We walked around for a few hours and then returned to the ship in the afternoon and enjoyed a nice lunch at the Lido Café. Yes, we each had a nice salad entrée.
After lunch, we took a nice long walk. We walked along the coastline and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, and the gorgeous weather. We passed an area where school children had displayed items that they made in school just as school children from our own country would do. A band was playing for the children and their parents were present to see the beautiful artwork they made.
We then went in another direction and walked up and down a variety of streets. We ran into a few passengers and several members of the crew. There are also two other cruise ships in port with us.
After we got back to the ship we took care of a few errands and we also spoke with some of our fellow passengers.
This evening we will dine with a couple who we invited to join us at Prego. We will dine at 7:00 PM and will post about it tomorrow.
The good news is we turn the clocks back one hour as we sail into yet another new time zone. J
TODAY’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…..
“Teamwork begins when it doesn’t matter who gets the recognition.”
Keith and Anne Marie
1 comment:
Very dashing (and different) - I should have shown you how to wear it before you went public!!!
Anne
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