Monday, June 7, 2010
Technical Note
Note: Due to connectivity, we are periodically unable to post pictures with entries. In some cases, I am endeavoring to go back and add pictures where possible. Feel free to scroll back through to see if any have been added from time to time.
VilleFrance - the Beauty of France (June 3)
VilleFrance was among the most beautiful harbors we have visited thus far. The gateway to Nice, Canes and Monte Carlo, the village of VilleFrance and the associated bay is all that you would expect of Southern France. We tendered from the ship to the dock and we able to enjoy the ride among the afternoon sun (80 degrees with a gentle breeze). We wandered just a bit and returned to the ship.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Isle of Corsica (June 2)
Beth and I left the boys for some time and toured the beautiful town of Ajaccio on the Island of Corsica. Corsica is a French Island having be sold to France is 1768 by the state of Genoa. Today, Corsica is best know at the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born in Ajaccio in 1769. Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and lies just seven miles north of it’s Italian neighbor island, Sardinia (which we visited three years ago). The visit was lovely and the weather and coastline spectacular.
Picturesque Pisa (June 1)
Today was my first chance to see another of the defining historical landmarks of Italy: the leaning tower of Pisa. Early this morning we ported in the coast town of La Spezia and then drove an hour inland and down the coast to the famed city of Pisa.
Over the past several years, the tower has been leaning so much that they have not allowed the public to enter the tower. However, they have been slowly making adjustments in the tower’s inclination and it is now safe to climb. As a result, we were actually able to climb all the way to the top of this incredible tower.
Directly adjacent to the leaning tower are the corresponding church and baptistery. In fact, the Pisa baptistery is the tallest in the world. Previous to my visit, I had never understood the purpose of the leaning tower. In fact, it was simply constructed to serve as the bell tower for the nearby church. (Jacob)
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is probably the best-known tower in the world. The tower, baptistery and cathedral are all incredibly beautiful, because they were built with white marble. The famous tower of Pisa was leaning so much at one point in the 1900s, that it was cleared of all people for several years. The reason for the lean in the Leaning Tower, is because the ground was so soft that one side of the tower sunk slightly into the ground.
After our visit to the tower, we adjourned to a nearby pastry and gelato shop. At the restaurant, every family was given an immense plate of pastries. In addition, the children received fantastic servings of gelato, or Italian ice cream. Overall, I had a fantastic day. (Jesse)
Over the past several years, the tower has been leaning so much that they have not allowed the public to enter the tower. However, they have been slowly making adjustments in the tower’s inclination and it is now safe to climb. As a result, we were actually able to climb all the way to the top of this incredible tower.
Directly adjacent to the leaning tower are the corresponding church and baptistery. In fact, the Pisa baptistery is the tallest in the world. Previous to my visit, I had never understood the purpose of the leaning tower. In fact, it was simply constructed to serve as the bell tower for the nearby church. (Jacob)
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is probably the best-known tower in the world. The tower, baptistery and cathedral are all incredibly beautiful, because they were built with white marble. The famous tower of Pisa was leaning so much at one point in the 1900s, that it was cleared of all people for several years. The reason for the lean in the Leaning Tower, is because the ground was so soft that one side of the tower sunk slightly into the ground.
After our visit to the tower, we adjourned to a nearby pastry and gelato shop. At the restaurant, every family was given an immense plate of pastries. In addition, the children received fantastic servings of gelato, or Italian ice cream. Overall, I had a fantastic day. (Jesse)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Oh, Roma! (May 31)
Wow. Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! What more can I say? Rome was absolutely mesmerizing in it's history and beauty. We had a private guide/car that made getting around sooo much easier! We were very blessed to be able to visit the Pantheon, the Coliseum, multiple "town squares" bridges and many other fascinating historical buildings.
In this excursion, we learned many interesting facts about various buildings that I had never known before, such as the fact that the Pantheon has multiple domes (interior and exterior), as well as walls that are twenty feet thick! The Coliseum was divided into multiple sections. The top section, as the worst view, was reserved for women and slaves only. The next section down contained the seats for Plebians, or common men. Finally, the Patricians, or wealthy aristocracy sat just above the emperor's special "box seats". (Jesse)
Today was perhaps the most thrilling yet daunting stop in the Med. Early this morning we pulled into port and then drove to the city of Rome. Given that we'd visited Rome previously on one of the cruise tours, we decided to utilize a private guide and driver so that we could tour the locations that interested us most.
First we went once again to the Coliseum. This time we were actually able to go inside this fantastic structure, and get a full sense of its size, beauty and function. Then throughout the course of the rest of the day we saw many fabulous sites such as the ancient Roman Forum, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and the ancient aqueducts.
We also visited the incredible Pantheon, climbed the famous Spanish Steps and enjoyed a panoramic view of Rome from a nearby hilltop. In fact, we saw and learned so much that I simply can't list everything. The places we visited and the history we absorbed were absolutely jaw-dropping, and they were actually made even more so by the fact that we had been there once before. Our guide (Mayta) was extremely knowledgeable about everything we saw, and she truly immersed us in the history of the the city.
In this excursion, we learned many interesting facts about various buildings that I had never known before, such as the fact that the Pantheon has multiple domes (interior and exterior), as well as walls that are twenty feet thick! The Coliseum was divided into multiple sections. The top section, as the worst view, was reserved for women and slaves only. The next section down contained the seats for Plebians, or common men. Finally, the Patricians, or wealthy aristocracy sat just above the emperor's special "box seats". (Jesse)
Today was perhaps the most thrilling yet daunting stop in the Med. Early this morning we pulled into port and then drove to the city of Rome. Given that we'd visited Rome previously on one of the cruise tours, we decided to utilize a private guide and driver so that we could tour the locations that interested us most.
First we went once again to the Coliseum. This time we were actually able to go inside this fantastic structure, and get a full sense of its size, beauty and function. Then throughout the course of the rest of the day we saw many fabulous sites such as the ancient Roman Forum, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and the ancient aqueducts.
We also visited the incredible Pantheon, climbed the famous Spanish Steps and enjoyed a panoramic view of Rome from a nearby hilltop. In fact, we saw and learned so much that I simply can't list everything. The places we visited and the history we absorbed were absolutely jaw-dropping, and they were actually made even more so by the fact that we had been there once before. Our guide (Mayta) was extremely knowledgeable about everything we saw, and she truly immersed us in the history of the the city.
Mt. Vesuvius & The Ruins of Pompeii - Naples (May 30)
Hey guys, we are off of the ship again. I am excited for this visit because we about to hike Vesuvius! After we hike that famous mountain (active volcano) we will explore the disaster that destroyed Pompei and walk it's ruins. By the way, breakfast, an omelet, sausage with syrup and some doughnut. Yeah!!! That's what i'm talking about!!!
Hi again! We just finished climbing Vesuvius and are now heading for some good ole Italian pizza. We have been having lots of fun. It was a tough climb, but the view on top paid for everything!
The Italian lunch was absolutely amazing! The pizza was very thin and was even made with real mozzarella cheese! The afternoon in Pompei was also amazing and brought back many happy memories from my visit a few years ago. Have a nice night and pray for us because tomorrow is Rome! (Jesse)
We've had a pretty full day in Naples today. It is not only a busy modern city, but also the site of the famous town of Pompeii, which was destroyed in 79 AD by the famous volcano Vesuvius. First we hiked up Vesuvius to see both the crater and the views of the city. (Jacob)
Just back from hiking Mt. Vesuvius. What an awesome experience. The weather was perfect, the views spectacular, and looking down in the crater was impressive. The hike was a nice/moderately aggressive two miles, which was made more challenging by the loose footing that resulted from the light lava stone and the dust/gravel that it has been ground into.
We saw the bed of lava that flowed in the Valley of the Giant as recently as 1944 and saw the impact that resulted from the great eruption of 79 A.D. The drive up to and back from the trailhead was beautiful. The flowers were in bloom and the views got better with each switchback.
After the hike we headed off for pizza and then a tour of Pompeii. I am chilled as I walk the streets of Pompei and think about the fear and panic that ensued during the great eruption. Those who excavated found bread in the ovens and objects in their places as one would have expected, given that there was no warning for the disaster. I love history!
Hi again! We just finished climbing Vesuvius and are now heading for some good ole Italian pizza. We have been having lots of fun. It was a tough climb, but the view on top paid for everything!
The Italian lunch was absolutely amazing! The pizza was very thin and was even made with real mozzarella cheese! The afternoon in Pompei was also amazing and brought back many happy memories from my visit a few years ago. Have a nice night and pray for us because tomorrow is Rome! (Jesse)
We've had a pretty full day in Naples today. It is not only a busy modern city, but also the site of the famous town of Pompeii, which was destroyed in 79 AD by the famous volcano Vesuvius. First we hiked up Vesuvius to see both the crater and the views of the city. (Jacob)
Just back from hiking Mt. Vesuvius. What an awesome experience. The weather was perfect, the views spectacular, and looking down in the crater was impressive. The hike was a nice/moderately aggressive two miles, which was made more challenging by the loose footing that resulted from the light lava stone and the dust/gravel that it has been ground into.
We saw the bed of lava that flowed in the Valley of the Giant as recently as 1944 and saw the impact that resulted from the great eruption of 79 A.D. The drive up to and back from the trailhead was beautiful. The flowers were in bloom and the views got better with each switchback.
After the hike we headed off for pizza and then a tour of Pompeii. I am chilled as I walk the streets of Pompei and think about the fear and panic that ensued during the great eruption. Those who excavated found bread in the ovens and objects in their places as one would have expected, given that there was no warning for the disaster. I love history!
Tunis - Touching Africa - May 29
Hi, Jesse here! We just finished our visit to Carthage, located in Tunisia. While there, we saw an incredible Roman bath. At the instant that I am writing this blog report, I am passing an ancient Roman amphitheater. This shore excursion is absolutely fantastic! Following these ancient ruins, we will be visiting a small village. I plan to have lots of fun after the excursions, including hangout time in the teen club and maybe a late night movie. Talk to you later.
Me again. The village was absolutely beautiful! All of the houses and shops were white with blue shutters and doors. At the moment, I am on the bus headed back for the ship. This trip means that I have visited three continents, four to go. This has been an amazing day! (Jesse)
Wow. Okay so I'm sitting on the bus going through Tunis and the ruins of ancient Carthage (my first time on this continent), and it's all incredible. The ruins left here are primarily Roman, from the time when they defeated and rebuilt the city during the third Punic war in the second century A.D. Thus far we've seen the bath house, aqueducts, cisterns and an amphitheater, all of which have been stunning. We just now drove through the resting place of the American soldiers who sacrificed their lives here during WWII (3,000 graves and another 4,000 never identified), it was a beautiful yet sobering experience.
Just got back to the bus after wandering around a small section of the city called Sidi Bou Said, a lovely town in which all the buildings are painted white, and the windows, doors and trim are all blue. While there we also learned about the architecture and style of well-to-do houses of the past century. We toured the home and walked the shops of this village. (Jacob)
Visiting Tunisia, I have a much better sense for the reality of oppression among the Islamic world. This is a liberal Muslim nation where the west (at least our money) is welcome/sought after and women are allowed to hold many positions. However, the reality of a state that is 99% Muslim with only token references to pockets of Jews and Catholics (mostly representing foreign governments) seemed forced and was clearly made to create some sense of ease among our group of visitors.
The history of Tunis/Carthage was breathtaking and the visit intense. All in all, an excellent experience.
Me again. The village was absolutely beautiful! All of the houses and shops were white with blue shutters and doors. At the moment, I am on the bus headed back for the ship. This trip means that I have visited three continents, four to go. This has been an amazing day! (Jesse)
Wow. Okay so I'm sitting on the bus going through Tunis and the ruins of ancient Carthage (my first time on this continent), and it's all incredible. The ruins left here are primarily Roman, from the time when they defeated and rebuilt the city during the third Punic war in the second century A.D. Thus far we've seen the bath house, aqueducts, cisterns and an amphitheater, all of which have been stunning. We just now drove through the resting place of the American soldiers who sacrificed their lives here during WWII (3,000 graves and another 4,000 never identified), it was a beautiful yet sobering experience.
Just got back to the bus after wandering around a small section of the city called Sidi Bou Said, a lovely town in which all the buildings are painted white, and the windows, doors and trim are all blue. While there we also learned about the architecture and style of well-to-do houses of the past century. We toured the home and walked the shops of this village. (Jacob)
Visiting Tunisia, I have a much better sense for the reality of oppression among the Islamic world. This is a liberal Muslim nation where the west (at least our money) is welcome/sought after and women are allowed to hold many positions. However, the reality of a state that is 99% Muslim with only token references to pockets of Jews and Catholics (mostly representing foreign governments) seemed forced and was clearly made to create some sense of ease among our group of visitors.
The history of Tunis/Carthage was breathtaking and the visit intense. All in all, an excellent experience.
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