We were the first passengers off the ship this morning at 6:50am.  We had a jammed itinerary with lots of distance to cover and many sights to see.  Jumped in the van with our driver and guide and headed to Corinth.  The guide, Michael, immediately began explaining our options for the day, and how we might have to adjust if traffic became an issue. Basically we had several sites to visit, spread out on both side of Athens.  If we were going to see all of it, it would mean reduced time at each of the sites.  Everyone seemed ok with it.  Michelle, our tour organizer again, had warned us it would be a jam-packed day, and we might possibly have to miss lunch to hit everything.

 Our cabin is on the top floor above the big windows

First stop was the Corinth Canal, a narrow and deep canal connecting the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea. It saved a lot of time for ships traveling from Athens and points eastward to Italy.  Apparently, going around the south of Greece in the Roman period, was a dangerous route with reefs and pirates.  The Corinth Canal was a huge improvement for the merchants of the age.

Next stop was the ruins of Ancient Corinth, one of the great Greek city/states that competed with Athens for dominance.  It’s the site of the Temple of Apollo.  It was also the place where the apostle Paul spent a lot time preaching and working to establish Christianity.  We walked through the museum first and then headed out into the ruins to visit the actual ruins.  One interesting point about the difference between Greek art and Roman art was the statues.  Greek statues mostly looked the same (same head/face, etc.)  Roman statues displayed identifiable facial characteristics, so the statues were designed so that the heads could be replaced when a new caesar took control.  See statues below:

 The Acropolis of Corinth on the top of the hill in the distance.

The Temple of Apollo in Corinth

Modern Corinth with Ionian Sea in the background

We took a short break, and then loaded up for the long commute to Cape Sounion.  It’s the site of the Temple of Poseidon.  It’s the southernmost point of Athens, sitting up on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea.  The wind is really whipping today, making it cooler than expected.  The views are breathtaking.

The Temple of Poseidon

Looking south at the Aegean Sea

Temple of Poseidon in the distance.

Our commute back to the ship is long, and weaves around and up and down along the Greek coast.  It’s very scenic, but could create car-sick issues if we weren’t careful.  Back on the ship, we grabbed a snack and headed to the cabin to rest.  Later, Judy went to the 7:30 evening show, while I began to catch up on my blog writing.  When she got back, we went down to Blu for a wonderful dinner.  At dinner, we met some wonderful guests from the UK and spent lots of time exchanging stories of our various travel experiences.  One of the things we’re finding out is that most of the people we’re meeting have traveled much more than us, and we feel like we’ve travelled quite a bit.  We’re trying to get as many travel tips and future destination ideas as possible.

We’re sailing across the Mediterranean today from Athens to Port Said, Egypt, the entrance to the Suez Canal.  Even though we’re crossing more open water, it’s still a smooth sailing.  I played table tennis.  Judy worked to finish up details of her student teachers, and the Killough HS memorial project in Lewisville.  Every time someone reviews the Killough planning, there are revisions, and that work falls to Judy.

I attended a lecture session in the afternoon about the Suez Canal.  There was discussion about the actual construction and how early decisions were made, who got rich, and who went bankrupt.  It was built by the same company that later built the Panama Canal. As might be expected, there was a lot of information about the geo-political impact the canal had, and the turmoil and conflict surrounding it at different times

The entertainment in the Theater tonight is a close-up magician.  He uses a camera to get everyone a good view of what he’s doing. He’s talented and has lots of skills. He managed to spread 6 card productions/illusions out over his hour show.  They were great, but for me, too much talking.  We learned too much about his personal life.  I would have appreciated it if he had showcased his skills and talent more.

We arrived at Port Said at 10:30 pm, queued up, and dropped anchor.  We’re scheduled to start through the canal around 3:30 am.  Outside, it’s raining, and there is a strong smell of smoke, almost like burning tires?  Not enough to keep me from sleeping, though.

We have our guide from yesterday, Mohammad, back again today.  Rezya, the Pakistani woman is also with us.  We’re picked up first, then go by to get Rezya at her son’s apartment.  She has a son working in Dubai.

Burj Khalifa in the background

December 2, Sunday, is the National Day of the UAE.  The country is 47 years old, gaining their independence from England in 1969, and signing the unification agreement between the seven different emirates in 1971. As a part of the agreement, the Sheik of Abu Dhabi is the president of the country, and the Sheik of Dubai is the Vice-President and Prime Minister.  The face of Sheik Zayed, the founder of the UAE is everywhere.  This year is also the celebration of 100 years since the birth of Sheik Zayed.  His grandson is the Crown Prince, and the de-facto ruler.  Everyone here seems very proud and satisfied with the rulers and government.  UAE has a population of 9.4 million, with the majority of living in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. 85% of the population are expats/foreign workers.

Sheik Zayed Celebration poster.

Old photo of Dubai from the 50’s

As we drove Monday evening from Abu Dhabi, we passed the de-salination plants along the coast, pulling water out of the Arabian Sea.  Outside of a few small wells, this country and these cities would be nothing.  All their water comes from these plants.  When you look at pictures of Dubai from the 60’s and early 70’s, how did they get to this?  Unbelievable!!!

First mosque built in Dubai

Our first stop is the original mosque built in Dubai.  It’s small, compared to what we’ve seen lately, but important in the history of Dubai. Our second stop is the 225-year old Fort of Al Fahidi.  It houses the Dubai Museum.  Inside the small fort are several homes and rooms built in the traditional style, demonstrating how desert families lived.  Then we’re led down a ramp and there is a huge museum area underneath this small complex. It contains many life-size dioramas of life in the desert and how they survived and thrived.

Replica of boats used by pearl divers, the first main industry/business of Dubai, long before oil.

The rectangular structure on the roof of the small building is a “wind wall”.  Inside is a triangular wall.  When the wind blows across it, the cool air is forced into the building and the hotter (lighter) air is forced out.  “Desert Air-Conditioner”.

After the museum, we make a short walk to the Dubai Creek, the original inland waterway into Dubai. We pass through a souk (market) area. I’ve been through lots of markets during our travels, but these guys were really “good”.  As I tried to turn down one sale, another guy wrapped a turban around my head and had me in his shop in front of a mirror, all while I was saying “No, No, No”.  His price dropped from 10 dirham, to 1 dirham as I walked away.  ($1.00 = 3.66 dirham)  I almost turned around.

We walked to a small dock area with small boats, called “opera”.  We climbed aboard one and it took us across Dubai Creek to the older traditional areas and lots of souks to explore.

Our first stop was the Spice Souk.  Rows and rows of shops selling spices and incense.  There are lots of strong smells, very different from what we’re used to.  The next stop was the Gold Souk, with rows of shops selling gold, silver, diamonds, and other precious stones.  Mohammad tells us most of these shops are legit.  Of course, if needed, I could buy a Rolex or Omega watch cheap down one of the alleys, according to all the guys approaching us.

 Window shopping in the Gold Souk

After the souks, we opted to be dropped off at the Mall of the Emirates.  It’s much smaller, with only 500 stores.  Attached to the mall is Ski Dubai.  Yep!  It’s a huge indoor (obviously) complex with ski hills complete with chairlifts. There are some small ice chutes for toboggans.  This is crazy!  If you can imagine it, around here, they’ll build it.  Another ski area opened in May in another area of Dubai.  There are also plans to build another skyscraper that is 1000 meters tall.  Apparently, somewhere else in the world, a building is about to open that’s slightly taller than the Burj Khalifa.  The emiratis are not about to let themselves be topped.

Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai from the outside

Back at the hotel later, we relax, and then taxi over to the JW Marriott Harbour Hotel in the Marina area for dinner.  I wanted to try and get some pictures of the “Palm of Jumeirah” island complex from the highest point.  Dinner tonight is on the 52^ndfloor in the Observatory Bar & Grill. We have a great view as the sun disappears.  While we’re watching boats and jet skis scurrying around below us, some skydivers drift in, landing on a small runway area nearby.

Google version of the Palm Jumeriah

Actual view of Palm Jumeriah.  The Atlantis Hotel is way out at the end.  To it’s right is the new Atlantis they’re building.

The “Big Eye” of Dubai (ferris wheel) in the setting sun.  It’s still under construction.

The Marina area from our dinner perch on the 52nd floor.