The Library and beyond

We haven’t gotten to the Library YET

Now for SCADS of pictures of Ephesus

Ephesus Greek: Έφεσος, Turkish: Efes

Kusadasi, which means "bird island", is set in a superb gulf in the Aegean region of Turkey and is known for its turquoise sparkling water of the Sea, As we enter the port of Kusadai at 7:30 am we can see the outlines of an 16th Century Genoese Castle at Kusadasi. There is also a lighted statue. This ends our stay aboard the ship. We head of for a tour of Ephasus. We will have lunch at a local restaurant and a brief time to shop in Kusadasi before we are taken to our brief stay at the hotel before we fly out of Izmir. Ephesus was fabulous needless to say. The Library of Celsus was amazing. Ancient Toilet Facilities at Ephesus (what, no Sears catalog?) The entire day was astounding. After seeing Ephesus and receiving communion at the theater of Ephesus [which was amazing] we stopped to see St. John’s Basilica near ancient Ephesus. Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean, and perhaps the best place in the world to get the feeling for what life was like in Roman times. As a strategic coastal gateway to the Eastern World, this Ionian refuge grew to be the second largest city in the Roman Empire, the site of a Christian shrine, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary, accompanied by St. Paul, came to Ephesus at the end of her life, circa 37-45 AD. Renaissance church historians mentioned the trip, and it is said that local Christians venerated a small house near Ephesus as Mary's. In 1967 Pope Paul VI. visited the site, where a chapel now stands, and confirmed the authenticity of the legend. Also the Basilica of St. John is located near Ephesus. St. John is said to have lived the last years of his life here and after his death, a shrine was located over his grave.

Solar heating

“During the fifth century BC, the Greeks faced severe fuel shortages. Fortunately, an alternative source of energy was available - the sun. Archaeological evidence shows that a standard house plan evolved during the fifth century so that every house, whether rural or urban, could make maximum use of the sun's warm rays during winter. Those living in ancient Greece confirm what archaeologists have found. Aristotle noted, builders made sure to shelter the north side of the house to keep out the cold winter winds. And Socrates, who lived in a solar-heated house, observed, "In houses that look toward the south, the sun penetrates the portico in winter" which keeps the house heated in winter. The great playwright Aeschylus went so far as to assert that only primitives and barbarians "lacked knowledge of houses turned to face the winter sun, dwelling beneath the ground like swarming ants in sunless caves." In the cities that we drove through it was apparent that this method of heating was everywhere, upon my investigation this like so many things is Nothing New! Interesting nonetheless! Ummmmmm conserving even that far back, what a concept! Does the word RETRO ring a bell? A prefix or combining form signifying backward, back; as, retroact, to act backward; retrospect, a looking back.

Judie and I had TOO much fun

We have excellent taste in gift items.

Judie checking the local Jail!

Shopping was the FIX we neeeded.

Flowers and Serenading

As we stepped off the ship we were met with serenading and red and pink carnations. Apparently the first ship of “The Season’s” tourists is greeted in this manor.

Bouzouki music

Patmos, Greece

Patmos is not a big island, but it is one of the best known. It was here St. John had his vision and wrote the apocalypse, and this is why Patmos is sometimes called "The Jerusalem of the Aegean". The Monastery of St. Johns towers above the capital, Chora, and the whole island breathes of faith and devotion. According to mythology, Patmos was a present from Zeus to his daughter Artemis, goddess of hunting and young women. She was worshipped here in antiquity, and the monastery of St. John was built on her temple.The island has probably been inhabited since prehistoric times, and it went through the same changes as the rest of the Dodecannese. It paid tribute to Athens in the 5th century BC, belonged to the Macedonians in the 4th century BC, and was taken by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is a must. Its real name is Agios Ioannis o Theologos ("St. John the Theologist") and it looks like a huge fortress above Chora. In fact, it was built as a fortress in the 16th century, since the island needed some sort of defense when pirates attacked. In the monastery you can visit the church, the Treasury and the museum.

Dinner

Now that I am feeling better dinner was even more delicious. Tonight I started with Poultry [am sure it was goose~ Foie gras d’oie (de canard): liver of fattened goose (duck). liver praline coated with walnuts with grape aspic. Then the soup, Game consommé with Tarragon dumplings, followed by some Lemon Sorbet. The main course for me this night was Roast Duck on orange sauce served with mixed veggies and “Macaire” potatoes.

MACAIRE Serves: 8

4 pounds baking potatoes

4 ounces butter To taste salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Wash and dry potatoes.

Pierce skin before baking.

Bake potatoes for about one hour, or until the inside of potatoes is cooked.

Cut potatoes lengthwise, Remove pulp and reserve in a mixing bowl.

Break the pulp with a fork; season with salt and pepper, and mix in 4 ounces butter.

Lightly oil 2 small potato Anna molds or 8 4-inch round by 2-inch molds.

Divide the potato mixture between molds to form two potato cakes.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Unmold on platter.

Serve hot.

For dessert Frozen Chocolate “Marquise” on mango compote. Others had “Fillet Wellington” or the Grilled Halibut with King prawn and lobster butter sauce orange fennel, Romanesco and wild rice.

More pictures of ~

NOT the trip to Pergamon ~~~ just pictures