A few more place in Rome

We had no tours booked for Tuesday so we wandered about the city on foot. Starting out in the morning was fine but as the day went on the heat grows. Soon it becomes time to retreat to some air conditioning. We were looking for a museum with a crypt. After getting ready to give up we stumbled across a slice of America. The U.S. Embassy and right across the street the Hard Rock Cafe Rome.  After some food and cooling off we found the crypt of the monks. So many great sites in Rome. Here are some pictures from the walk about

The Pantheon.

The Trevi Fountain 

make a coin toss.

, 

Last days in Rome

We took the tour of the Vatican. Very crowded but one of the best tours of the trip.

Inside Saint Peter's.

Day one in Rome Nero's Palace.

We left the ship and took the long ride from the port to the city. We are staying at a very nice small hotel. The hotel is walking distance to the Vatican. We dropped off our bags and headed out to first Tour Nero's Palace. This was not too far from the colosseum. The site is amazing and still an active archeological dig. The entire tour was underground. The more they dig the more is found. Then half through the tour tour given virtual reality goggles. This takes you back to see what it was like in the time of Nero. The best V. R. experience I have ever had.

underground with hard hat on. 2000 year old walls and ceiling.

No flash allowed.

All of this was filled with dirt and sand then they built right over it. 

good flooring over 2000 years old.

High tech virtual reality room.

After Hero's Palace it was off for a tour of the Colosseum.

The day was getting very hot. It was a tour that seemed to last forever. Starting with colosseum then to the ruins of the Roman forum. It took about three and a half hours that felt like three days. The guide was very knowledgeable however, I should have quit at the half way point. We walked and walked saw the site of Julius Caesar birth , murder, and were they cremated him. So much information and heat we called it a day on site seeing and retreated to the air conditioning at the hotel.

After a rest it was time for supper and gelato 😁

Start of colosseum tour. The sun and heat wiped that smirk away or rather melted away.

So many ruins at the forum it went on and on.

stay tuned next next stop the vatican. 

More videos from Greece

Here are a few video extras.

I 

I hope these work stay tuned for first report fro Roma

Olympia

Our last stop in Greece was Olympia home of the ancient olympics. The day was crazy hot, thankfully the tour guide did most of the talking in the shade. There was the outdoor archeological site and a modern museum with Greek and Roman statues that were from the site. After that tour we went to an olive farm. A tour of how the farm produced olive oil followed by a lunch of all local ingredients.

The Temple of Zeus one column  has been put back together.

Close up of restored column the new marble cut with laser to fit.

Stadium for races at olympia. Too hot to go for a run when we were there.

This is the spot where the torch for the Olympics is lit. 

Dining area at the olive farm.

The meal at the olive farm.

The ship pulling away from our last stop in Greece.

Athens Day

Today we docked in Athens. The ride into the city took less time than I expected. Weather was hot but not humid. A slight breeze was pleasant. The big visit was to the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Amazing sites. We were lucky to have the first tour of the day. The tour guide was good and headsets made it easy to listen to him as we walked to the top. There are people posted all around with whistles to make sure you don't break any of the rules. After the visit the way down was crazy busy. A long line moving very slowly. It was nice to have the first tour of the day,  The line to go up as we were heading down was beyond crowded. Off to explore an old part of the city for the afternoon. Then back to the ship.

A very early start at this port to catch an early tour in Athens.

The Parthenon high at top the Acropolis in Athens.

On top of Athens

A picture of lunch because I just made a wild guess at a Greek menu and got  this😊

A visit to mykonos and delos

Today went to two islands Mykonos and Delos. Came in close to port in Mykonos took a short boat ride ashore.  The island had lots of tourist. Tightly packed houses and bulidings. A maze of alleyways connects everything together. The village was very near and pristine with all the white bulidings. The design of the buildings is covered by Greek law. The sun was really bright and about 90 degrees. However very dry and a strong North wind made the day pleasant. We took a tour over to the island of Delos. This was once a big commercial city in the days of ancient Greece through the times of the Romans. Spent a good amount of time with tour guide walking through the ruins. A day of fascinating ancient history.

Morning the ship arrives at Mykonos. A place made popular by Jackie O. Back in the day.

The shore line tiny rock road shared by people and small trucks.

More Mykonos.

The island of Delos and the remains of a once thriving city. They even had piped water. There were stores and temples for many gods. And today a lot of fetal cats for mice patrol.

Well that is all for this entry, tomorrow on to Athenes!!

First Greek island

Today we go to our first stop in Greece. The island of Santorini. Amazing views a great buildings huddled together on high cliffs. Took small boat called tenders ashore. Then bus tour to visit three sites on the island. Interesting to learn the island is a volcano that blew its too years ago. One legend is this may have been Atlantis. The weather was just right low 80s s nice ocean breeze and not too humid. A rare day for this area where it is humid most of the time.

The view from the ship. The bus went up a long ,narrow and winding road up to the villages.

A new video segment to the blog. Hope they work. That's is all for now.

Excited to get to first port in Greece

A day at sea

Today went well. Tomorrow we make our first port of call in Greece. Changing time zone one more time. Tried climbing rock wall on board ship. I didn't get too far but it was fun. I think Sophia would have done better. Also played a round of mini golf on the deck of the ship. Great food today at one of the fancy restaurants on board. Great plating like master chef. A big Broadway review in the theater tonight to wrap up the day.

Didn't get very far up but almost nailed the superhero landing.

Stay tuned for more. 😁

Setting sail

The Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas is slowly making its way out of the port of Rome. The port is actually a good distance from the city of Rome. The flight over went well caught a few winks. Got on board ship and had a big meal. Filet mignon potatoes and asparagus. Did well not to fall asleep into the potatoes. Six hours ahead here from Maine. The state room is nice. I am writing this from the private balcony. The weather here is warm and humid the weather in July for me ready for it. Right now it's about 82 with a nice breeze off the sea. More adventures to come. Time for a quick nap before exploring more of the ship.

JFK waiting for flight to Rome

Here we wait in the wing tip  lounge thanks to Mr. B. Great place for a layover. Snacks , wifi, and comfy chairs. Long flight ahead eight and a half hours to get to Rome. Nice easy flight from Boston. Had lunch at legal seafood. Had a Greek salad, I will need to have one in Greece to compare. Well that is all for this leg of the amazing race. Stay tuned more to come. Sir CTG.🗺🏛🤓