Next destination:  OMAN

Upon leaving the harbor of Safaga, Egypt, we began  'security mode' for our ship............blackouts of all windows every night so that night vision goggles could detect  movement of any possible 'pirate boats' .  This was to last until we were in Indian waters.  Sure makes you realize how seriously this is taken.....also sightings of naval vessels, including an Indian naval destroyer .

 

We decided not to visit Dubai because of increased visa costs for Canadian citizens!!  Also, to me, it seemed that we would be wasting our time and energies to go there just to see what extreme oil wealth can build!!!

Oman was a pleasant surprise..............a good mix of the old and the new ...........our visit was to 'Muscat', a harbour city and the capitol of Oman.

Loved these light standards, as I have a 'crown' fixation

This wonderful yacht is one of  'eight' belonging to the Sultan of Oman

Next destination:  INDIA (Mumbai and Cochin)

Hugs,

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A belated Happy New Year to everyone and hopes for a much better year for everyone around the world!

Part three of my cruise photos: 

Lovely LUXOR

Darling Bedouin children with baby goat

After driving 3 hours on rough roads, we arrived on the outskirts of Luxor and saw the start of irrigation canals

As you travel through Egypt, you will see many houses like these, that look like they are still in construction......we were told by our tour guide that as families grow, they  will build on top of the main house...............some are many stories!

Off to market

While they were building these buildings, they unearthed these sphinxes which go for many miles to Karnak Temple

A scale model of Karnak Temple is seen upon entering the site ......the temple is 55,000 sq. ft.

A closer look at the sphinxes at Karnak Temple (mentioned as well  in previous photo)

It surprises me that the city of Luxor has built up to the temple site, which takes away from the splendour of it. in my opinion

Luxor Temple as seen from our van........alas, we did not have time to go there on this trip

Crossing the Nile river, we note all the river cruise boats lying unused.  Since 'Arab Spring', tourists have stayed away .  We must say that during our trip to Egypt, we never felt, even once, that we were in danger........on the contrary,  people there were very welcoming .  My next dream cruise would be a river cruise down the Nile!

On the way to the Valley of Kings..........you can see that excavations are still underway and we are told that only about one third of ancient Egyptian sites have been excavated.

First of 3 tombs that we visited...you are not allowed to take any photos or videos inside!

Temple built by the only female Pharaoh, 'Hatshepsut'

Colossus of Memnon,

A girl needs some time for 'retail therapy', so we visited a shop that makes high quality figurines of Egyptian origin.  They are made from alabaster mostly but also other semi precious stones!

Alas, it is time to head back to our ship and only another 3 hours on the road again!!!  I LOVE EGYPT and would not hesitate to come back.  In 2009, we visited Cairo and Alexandria and enjoyed that as well.  My biggest hope for 2012 is that they manage to achieve the just government that they all deserve....

Hugs,

Looks like I will have to finish my travel blogging after Christmas............it is taking more time than I realized!  Christmas is almost here and I must finish off all my shopping, decorating, baking, etc.!!!
I must say, that it has a been a special privilege to visit all those exotic lands and see how others live.............I will always have such warm memories of everywhere we went and of the people and animals that we met. Travel is a great teacher...........it makes us realize how lucky we are to live where we do but also that people everywhere have a lot more in common with us than we would ever think!

 I would like to wish all my wonderful followers the very best of the season and hopes for a much happier New Year for everyone everywhere!!!!

Hugs,

My Best Holiday Ever     Part Three

The day after we left Turkey, there was a serious earthquake at the opposite end of the country...we luckily did not feel anything.  Our hearts go out to all that were affected.
We left the Mediterranean Sea and reached the Suez Canal:

First view of the Suez Canal

Guards along the Suez Canal

We join the convoy

Fishing boat beneath us

We competed the journey overnight so missed most of the action

My Best Holiday Ever       Part Two

One of many stray cats residing at Ephesus

TURKEY

This is our second trip to Turkey and I must say that it is one of my favorite places!  The people are kind and warm-hearted.  There are many wonderful sites to explore.....................and here is one which is a 'jewel'....Ephesus:

Ephesus is an ancient city with origins back approximately to 14th century BC.  It is reached by driving inland from the port of 'Kusadasi'.......................in ancient times it was a large, thriving seaport ..........many earthquakes and the passage of time completely silted in the harbour.

Kusadasi Harbour

Ephesus is located on a hillside and it involves a 2 mile trek along its main road paved in marble!

First glimpse of Ephesus

The original "Nike" which the athletic wear is named after

First glimpse of the 'Celsus Library'

The 'Spa'

Public latrines

There is a story that wealthy citizens while enjoying the 'spa', paid musicians to play so that 'bathroom noises' would be muffled.  How brilliant!

" The 'Octagon' was a vaulted burial chamber placed on a rectangular base with the skeleton of a 15 or 16 year old woman in a marble sarcophagus.  According to an interpretation, the Octagon was a monument to Ptolemy Arsinoe IV, the youngest sister of the famous Cleopatra VII, murdered in Ephesus in 41 BC."

'Celsus Library'

 

 

Side view of 'Celsus Library'

 

 

Guess who?

My dear Doug

Further excavation in the works

Well, that is but a small taste of Ephesus.....if you should care to know more, these sites are quite informative:     ephesus.us    and   turizm.net/cities/ephesus

I will close off on this post because I am having a heck of a time with the 'blogger' software and I keep losing everything that I've entered.  Unfortunately, that means more posts, so stay tuned!
Hugs,