Keeping up with us as we tour the
Acropolis,
National Archaeological Museum,
Acropolis Museum,
Traditional Greek Dancing Lesson,
Taverna Dinner,
Osios Loukas,
Delphi,
Olympia,
Theater of Epidaurus,
Greek Philosophy Workshop,
Mycenae,and
Corinth
As much as we've loved this trip so much...we are READY to be back on US soil. Pray for us as we fly today, we've had a long night last night and a very long day of flying! And don't be surprised if after two weeks of being out of Texas, you find us hungry for some serious tex-mex! :)
last devotional overlooking Athens
*If anyone knows what gate they are flying into at DFW today, could you please text me (Casey Chappell) at 919-723-7373 Thanks SO much!!
About halfway up to the Monastery of St. John on Patmos is the Cave of the Apocalypse. This sacred cave is believed to mark the spot where St. John received his visions from Christ that he recorded in the Book of Revelation.
A video from inside the cave
Original 12th Century frescos in the church of St.John the Divine. (they call a lot of spiritual people here Divine)
This view is breathtaking!! What a beautiful country.
I was trying not to have really high expectations of the cruise. I knew that it wasn't going to be like say a Carnival Cruise ship. Seeing as how the ship would be about a 1/3 of the size of one of those trips, I wanted to be prepared for less. However, It's really been pleasantly surprising how nice it actually is.
It's been so much fun watching the waves go by and passing islands that are 5-6 hours out and seeing them full of houses and just wondering how they live there? What must their lives look like?
After walking and sightseeing so much the past few days... this little bit of relaxing and sightseeing from the cruise has been exactly the rest we needed.
Today we went from Nauplia and traveled to Corinth. Personally I've really been looking forward to this site because it was just amazing to be standing where Paul himself stood. We were able to see many of the original Ruins and the Bema Seat at the center of the city.
The Greek word for judgement seat is Bema.
This is where the Roman magistrate or ruler sat on a raised platform to make decisions or pass sentences. It is mentioned in the gospels and in Acts.
The Apostle Paul uses Bema of the Athletic contests and compares it with the "Bema" of Christ. I Corinthians 9:24-25
This is a place to reflect on the writings in the gospels and why these places were used as illustrations to the early believers.
We traveled just outside of Corinth to see the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean Sea.
The Corinth Canal connecting the Aegean sea and the Ionian sea. Started initially by emperor Nero. The Corinth Canal is considered a great technical achievement for its time.
The Acrothins overlooking Corinth, where the Temple of Aphrodite would have been. We have learned so much about Greek Mythology on this trip. One thing we've heard about is the corrupt morality in Corinth. It was mostly due to the temple prostitutes in the temple of Aphrodite.
The inscription of synagogue where Paul preached in Corinth
The Temple of Apollo in Corinth
Ruins in Corinth where they would have received water from the mountains
a little street in Athens
Tonight we are back in Athens where we will dock tomorrow on the Grecian cruise. This is when we will travel to Ephesus and Patmos.
I did find a Starbucks Coffee this evening. Which was WONDERFUL! Greek coffee just can't compare to our beloved starbucks blends!! :)
Sorry, we are a little slow in getting this stuff posted.
This is a traditional Greek Breakfast
On Wednesday we woke up and went to the Mycenaean tombs believed to be the people of Agamemnon, who took on Sparta in the battle for Troy. (remember the movie Troy?)
Entrance to the Mycenaean ruins
Entrance to the tomb believed to belong to King Agamemnon
Mycenaean Tombs
Video of the Mycenaean ruins
We then went on to Epidaurus to see the site of the oldest Greek theater.
The Thearter of Epidaurus built in the 4th Century B.C.
View from the top
We finally returned to Nauplia for a free evening. At dinner we learned that apparently Greeks enjoy breaking plates on purpose and yelling "Opa!!!!" (which is a tradition that goes way back and has lots of different reasons for which it started... but mostly now days it's used as a way to celebrate at a party or a wedding)
Olympia ~ The site of the very first Olympic Games
Entrance to the Ancient Stadium
Savannah Davis after winning her race in the ancient stadium
Luke, Haley and Jamie resting on the spectators hill
Statue of Zeus there at Olympia
Yesterday we visited Olympia and the site of the Ancient Olympic Games. They light the torch for the modern games here every Olympics. The ruins here were amazing as you can see.
We then made our way to Nauplia, a beautiful little seaside city. The kids are loving it here and we will stay here for two nights.
We travel a day trip to Mycenae today and then to the theater of Epidaurus.
