Week off in Turkey

Last week we were able to have a week off while the boat was docked in Athens. We decided to take an over night ferry to Rhodes, Greece and then an hour ferry to Marmaris, Turkey. Little did we know our $320 overnight ferry ticket did not include a cabin. We were basically sleeping in a cafe/airport. We were lucky enough to find some sofas so we did catch some sleep, but not until after 11 p.m. If we tried to lay down before that the cafe waiters would come around and lecture us (in Greek.) After our 14 hour ferry we had a few hours to walk around Rhodes. It was a pretty interesting city but much like all the other old cities we have already visited. Finally we got to Turkey and all we needed was two 15 euro visas to enter the country. Well all we had was 20 euros, but no problem because there was an ATM right outside. Apparently there has been some credit card fraud in Europe and once we entered Turkey our cards were blocked!(Something that wasn't suppose to happen because we disabled all blocks on our cards) So there we were stuck in customs in Turkey with a little credit on a phone and no internet access. To make a long story short, we were able to contact our banker, unblock our cards, stamp our passport and finally enjoy our vacation.
Our vacation went really fast but we were able to see and do a lot. We booked an apartment to stay for 5 nights. It cost around 100 Turkish Lira or $60. Turns out Marmaris is one of England's little vacation paradise. I think we met more people from the UK then Turkish people, and that's how it is from May through October. One day we went on a boat excursion to the Turkish mud baths, King's Tombs, and also to swim around a bit. There was so much to do in Marmaris and Armutulan where we stayed. We also went to a water park. It was so hot and the beach was basically unbearable so fresh water and slides was a perfect solution. We ate some excellent meals and got hassled by every single restaurant. Many of the hosts are on commission so they try to rope in every person, using the same lines as the other place! If I had a lira for every time we were called, "Nice couple,(come look at our menu)," I would have never left Turkey. Our favorite restaurant was Jan de Wit and we will definitely be visiting them again some day. The vacation was a great time to relax, lay by the pool, and enjoy yet another culture.

Delphi...the major worship place for the Greek god Apollo

While in the port of Galaxidi, we were able to take a half hour car ride to the town of Delphi. Delphi is home to some of the most ancient and incredible ruins still around in Greece. The city was built around and for the worshiping of the Greek god Apollo, son of Zeus. Apollo was said to have the power to bring healing, medicine and also plague for ill-health. Cities on the main-land as well as other islands in the Greek world would set up temples or treasuries as a source of offering or tithe. If a battle or war was won, Apollo would get a 10th of the winnings to thank the oracles or gods for direction and victory. Not only did Delphi serve as a place of worship, it was also home to the second most important athletic event next to the games at Olympia. The event was called the Pythian Games, named in remembrance of Apollo's slewing of the Python. The games were open to the greatest athletes of the Greek world. Some of our pictures include the stadium were the games were held, the temple of Apollo, treasuries, and the theatre. The views were amazing and well worth the 9 euro admission. It is a piece of history unlike anything we have ever seen and something that wouldn't even exist in the States. There was also a museum which has a collection of statues and other gifts that were once housed in the treasuries. It's amazing how well preserved some of the statues and columns remain after thousands of years and hard to imagine the site of white marble covering every column, statue, or building. I definitely would recommend taking a trip to Delphi.
Andrew