Turkey and Greece

Russ and I didn't have time to process being home without kids as we flew to Athens on Labor Day to join a tour group associated with Dordt University. Russ was asked to be a content guide as several of the places we were to visit had biblical history.

First views of Athens

As our rooms were not ready at the hotel, we dropped our luggage and explored Athens. Russ and I walked/hiked up Lycabettus Hill and enjoyed the view from the top.

We were quite warm after our hike, so we appreciated the refreshments at the top.

Moussaka

From the top of Lycabettus, we hiked to the National Archeological Museum. By this point, we had been awake for well over 24 hours and started feeling a little like zombies. 

We were especially thankful to have seen all the artifacts from the Myceneans and Minoans (4000 years ago!) as we later visited Minoan ruins in Santorini. Many of the artifacts found at the ruins are in the museum.

Fresco was taken from the walls of the ruins of Santorini.

Many, many sculptures of the Greek gods, Roman emperors, and grave/funerary vessels.

Our first glimpses of the Parthenon up on the Acropolis as we walked in Athens.

Our hotel's rooftop restaurant provided great views of the Parthenon at sunset.

The Acropolis stairs to the Parthenon and other temples.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus where concerts are still being performed today.

 View of Athens and ancient Agora from the Acropolis

Temple of Athena Nike

The Erechtheion, a temple dedicated to the  "naming the city" contest between Athena and Poseidon. The original pillars are in the Acropolis Museum.

Parthenon

View of Philopappos Hill from the Acropolis. 

Russ speaking to the group before we walk to Mars Hill where Paul spoke in Acts. Mars Hill is above the Agora or marketplace, but lower than the Parthenon.

View from Mars Hill down towards the Agora. Note the ancient temple of Hephaestus on the left.

View back up towards the Parthenon

A model of the sculptures on the pediments of the Parthenon.

The original pillars. One needs to be added to the collection as it is in the British Museum.

Note the reflection of the Parthenon in the glass of the Acropolis Museum.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens near Plaka.

We boarded our ship in the port city of Piraeus. The boat was our home for the next week, and our 36-member tour group was the only group on board. 

Our first stop was the island of Chios. Chios is known for the mastic tree, whose resin is harvested for medicines, lotion, soaps, perfumes, and even gum.

When the tree is cut the resin runs out, hardens, and falls to the ground prepared with white limestone powder.

Lots of pomegranate trees!

The medieval village of Pyrgi on Chios is known for its black and white geometric designs called "xysta"

It is believed that Christopher Columbus lived in Pyrgi as the Columbus coat of arms emblem resides above this doorway. Some historians believe that he was a descendant of a Genoese family from Pyrgi.

We also visited the medieval village of Mesta known for its narrow streets/alleyways designed to protect the villagers from pirates.

Gate into the village of Mesta.

First views of Turkey.

View of Izmir, Turkey

Ruins of ancient Smyrna. The New Testament church in Smyrna was commended in Revelation but also warned of the coming persecution. One of the early church martyrs, Polycarp, was appointed by the Apostle John as the bishop of Smyrna.

The Agora or marketplace as noted by all the pillars, ruins of shops, and adjacence to a wide-open area.

These lion sculptures were taken from the harbor at Miletus, the same city where Paul met with the Ephesian elders when on his way to Jerusalem.

Turkey had just celebrated Independence Day, so many flags flew from apartment windows.

A view of Pigeon Island from the port of Kusadasi.

 

From the port of Kusadasi we took a bus to the ancient ruins of Ephesus. The size of the excavation site made it much easier to imagine the ancient city when Paul walked the streets.

Original marble stones on the path made for a slippery walk.

Pharmacy

Hospital

Temple of Hadrian

A pillar with Artemis...perhaps the shop of Demetrius the silversmith?

Roman baths

Library of Celcus

The Agora of Ephesus

Hercules Gate

Fountain dedicated to the Emperor Trajan

Mosaic tiles on the stoa

Another photo of the Temple of Hadrian

Toilets

Close-up view of the Agora in Ephesus

A bigger view of the Agora. Russ spoke to the group here about Paul's time in Ephesus, his message to the church in Ephesians, and Christ's message to the church in Revelation.

Huge theater of Ephesus where the riot in Acts took place.

After visiting the ancient Ephesus ruins our group visited Arvalya, a carpet weaving cottage industry.

Learning how silk is harvested from silkworm cocoons on mulberry trees.

These ladies made a lovely lunch for us.

After the carpet-making stop, we visited a family ceramics business.

We left Turkey later that evening and sailed through the night to the island of Patmos.

First views of Patmos.

Russ spoke to the group and read Revelation 1. "I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet..."

The building over the cave where it is said the Apostle John received his vision as written for us in the book of Revelation.

Monastery of St John, a still working monastery on Patmos.

Love the feta cheese in Greece.

Cooling off in the Aegean Sea.

First views of Santorini

Tender boat

Santorini is a popular island as noted by the four huge cruise ships.

Our first stop was at Akrotiri, an excavation site near Fira of a Cycladic settlement associated with the Minoan civilization.

The blue domes of Oia

Wine-tasting

Grapevines especially suited to this arid climate.

\

We took the cable car up the cliff in Santorini, but you could also ride a donkey up the trail.

Next stop: The island of Mykonos.

They didn't have a large tender boat available for us, so this little guy made 5 trips.

A final dip in the Aegean before heading back to Athens.

After arriving at the port in Athens, we took a bus to ancient Corinth. 

Russ gave a short but powerful message here at the judgment seat or bema. The bema is significant because the Apostle Paul may have been brought there to stand trial before the proconsul Gallio as recorded in Acts 18. Russ brought in Paul's message regarding the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5.

Corinth Canal