Day 6 (Ephesus, Turkey and the island of Patmos) & Day 7 (Crete and Santorini)
Into Asia Minor we sailed, landing in Turkey we set off for Ephesus. Once again getting to walk on the roads which Paul walked on. Then we got to go see some wonderful (and very expensive) rugs. So astounding to see that all of them were handmade, oh the patience one must possess! Then getting to wander around before heading back to the boat we were accosted by numerous Turkish salesmen who were just absolutely relentless in their drive to sell. We set sail for Patmos and then walked to the grotto in which the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. Yea no words could explain the silence and respect the group as a whole shared in that place. The next day, Sunday, we sailed into Crete and observed a Greek Orthodox service. Seeing that is was Sunday all the shops and stores were closed, but luckily a group of us found a playground and spent our time there til we had to head back to the ship. Then we headed for the island of Santorini. Once there some of us being cheapskates opted to walk up to the town instead of riding the donkeys or cable cars for a fee of four euros. We beat the donkey and got there in 15 minutes! Saw some fantastic art there and just some beautiful architecture. And then headed back down to once again reboard our ship for the night.
Phew Ephesus it was just amazing to see the sites and then at the rug store how incredible it is for a single silkworm cocoon can supply enough silk for a mile! Only our God would design such an intricate fashion. Next up in Patmos, again words cannot express how unfathomable it was to stand in the cave that John wrote Revelation in. Our minds couldn't grasp what had happened even right after we'd seen it and boy that memory I plan on keeping alive with me as long as I live. Then in the Chapel of St Titus, just being in the presence of such an orthodox service was a really awesome experience. Not my particular cup of weekly tea, but a once in awhile thing wouldn't be so bad. The reverence in that room was just so thick and as our group was filing in to observe, felt we took away from that aspect of worship (us damn American tourists). Lastly in Santorini, I could definitely see why so many people dub it the most beautiful place on earth. Truly is one of the most picturesque towns I have ever laid eyes on. But then a topic rose up in conversation in how would it be any fun to live in a town like this? All the tourists and the hustle and bustle day in and day out. Frankly I would grow tired of seeing tourists everyday and would most likely get rather annoyed. Also its location does not bode well for travel off the island or even to the bottom of the island to the top. But thats my personal opinion, not to take away anything from that experience of course, it definitely was a sight/site to see.
Into Asia Minor we sailed, landing in Turkey we set off for Ephesus. Once again getting to walk on the roads which Paul walked on. Then we got to go see some wonderful (and very expensive) rugs. So astounding to see that all of them were handmade, oh the patience one must possess! Then getting to wander around before heading back to the boat we were accosted by numerous Turkish salesmen who were just absolutely relentless in their drive to sell. We set sail for Patmos and then walked to the grotto in which the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. Yea no words could explain the silence and respect the group as a whole shared in that place. The next day, Sunday, we sailed into Crete and observed a Greek Orthodox service. Seeing that is was Sunday all the shops and stores were closed, but luckily a group of us found a playground and spent our time there til we had to head back to the ship. Then we headed for the island of Santorini. Once there some of us being cheapskates opted to walk up to the town instead of riding the donkeys or cable cars for a fee of four euros. We beat the donkey and got there in 15 minutes! Saw some fantastic art there and just some beautiful architecture. And then headed back down to once again reboard our ship for the night.
Phew Ephesus it was just amazing to see the sites and then at the rug store how incredible it is for a single silkworm cocoon can supply enough silk for a mile! Only our God would design such an intricate fashion. Next up in Patmos, again words cannot express how unfathomable it was to stand in the cave that John wrote Revelation in. Our minds couldn't grasp what had happened even right after we'd seen it and boy that memory I plan on keeping alive with me as long as I live. Then in the Chapel of St Titus, just being in the presence of such an orthodox service was a really awesome experience. Not my particular cup of weekly tea, but a once in awhile thing wouldn't be so bad. The reverence in that room was just so thick and as our group was filing in to observe, felt we took away from that aspect of worship (us damn American tourists). Lastly in Santorini, I could definitely see why so many people dub it the most beautiful place on earth. Truly is one of the most picturesque towns I have ever laid eyes on. But then a topic rose up in conversation in how would it be any fun to live in a town like this? All the tourists and the hustle and bustle day in and day out. Frankly I would grow tired of seeing tourists everyday and would most likely get rather annoyed. Also its location does not bode well for travel off the island or even to the bottom of the island to the top. But thats my personal opinion, not to take away anything from that experience of course, it definitely was a sight/site to see.
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| Welcome to Turkey |
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| Ancient Ephesus |
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| Turkmen Rug Store |
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| Grotto of John in Patmos |
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| Crete |
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| Inside the chapel |
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| The playground we found |
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| Santorini |
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| The mode of transportation up to the town |
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