Pics from Mediterranean Cruise

[davedove]

Sunday we stopped at Katakolon. This little town wasn't much on it's own. I think the ship was almost as big as the village. However, it serves as the gateway to Olympia, the site of the original Olympic games and home to yet another of the ancient wonders, the Temple of Zeus.

The is what remains of the tunnel to enter the arena:

[davedove]

Monday was our third and final day at sea. Tuesday we stopped at Livorno. From there I took the tour of Florence and Pisa. Florence was an interesting city, with all the renaissance style buildings. The Duomo (cathedral) is pictured here:



Pisa wasn't much. I'm glad I went, but aside from the few buildings in the Piazza, there is nothing to see, unless you like all the African immigrants trying to sell you junk.

A picture of the famous tower:


On the way back to the ship we drove past Camp Darby, a big US military base. On the opposite side of the road were several ladies, dressed in skimpy clothing, "waiting for the bus". Many of the guys on our bus got a big kick out of that.

[davedove]

Wednesday we returned to Civitavecchia, but we didn't disembark until Thursday. I used the opportunity to tour Rome and the Vatican. Rome is absolutely fascinating, and I would gladly go back there to see more. everytime you turn a corner, there are more ruins. Sometimes they are Roman, sometimes medieval, sometimes Renaissance, and sometimes a building will have layers of all three.

The Coloseum:



That afternoon was a trip to the Vatican. I enjoyed everything in the museum, but it was way too crowded. And although the guide had great things to say about all the art, I soon went on information overload. The analysis of the Sistine Chapel was great, as was St. Peters.

A picture of St. Peters:


In all, it was a great trip. The weather was perfect and the ride was the smoothest I've ever been on. I picked the right time of year for the weather. If it had been during the summer, the heat would have been miserable.

[Livingston]

Great piccies, Dave. I envy your chance to make that trip.

[mkmound]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing.

I agreee with your comment about Rome . . . I had the opportunity to go there last fall . . . I am ready to go back!

[Dirk Skene]

Sunday we stopped at Katakolon. .....the gateway to Olympia, the site of the original Olympic games and home to yet another of the ancient wonders, the Temple of Zeus.

That is the one place you went to that I have been to as well. I've been through that same arch. Did you have time to visit the museum? How did it feel to walk there?

[davedove]

That is the one place you went to that I have been to as well. I've been through that same arch. Did you have time to visit the museum? How did it feel to walk there?

Yes, we visited the museum as part of the tour. There was a lot of Greek artwork and I liked the models of the reconstructed city.