Pic heavy, detailed Vision OTS review/recount of our 12nighter out of Barcelona!

[Hailzmick]

Shop fronts

 

 

Model Mick

 

 

 

 

 

This amazing amphitheatre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The grand theatre could seat over 24,000 people.

 

 

[Hailzmick]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading in to the old city centre

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS TOWN IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!!!

[Hailzmick]

 

 

 

Cats- there were lots of cats around, trying to keep cool in the shade. Nec told us not to pat them, just in case they had fleas and any germs. (Lots of people were patting then though. They did seem really friendly).

 

 

ADDITIONAL TIP TO THE ONE NEC PROVIDED: Don't pat any wildlife while in another country. You have no idea how it will react, & if it gives you a bite or a scratch, chances are you'll need to get a precautionary tetanus shot.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the goddess of Victory, Nike, who inspired the brand Nike to get their special tick. (See in the left part of this, under her hand... Yes, I was blown away by this too!)

 

 

 

Even 2000 years ago, people loved Elvis. Ha ha. Isn't this weird, but super cool.

 

 

 

All the shop fronts to the right.

[Hailzmick]

More shop fronts

 

 

 

That's all mosaic.

 

 

 

A VERY cool story.

The front of these shops had like a mini water area (like a pond) & giant cork like things that kept the water in. When the people of Ephuses had visitors, they would take the corks out and wash down the streets. One day, the goddess of beauty, love & sexuality, Aphrodite was coming to visit... But there was a drought and the towns people couldn't wash down the streets. Instead of water, they used red wine, but suddenly realised it quickly stained the streets red.

When Aphrodite arrived she was shocked & so overwhelmed, stating how happy she was that they had made the streets red for her, & how beautiful it was. Hence came the saying & the meaning to ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET!

Isn't that cool?!?!?

 

 

 

Nec told us some really cool stories like that all day.

 

 

Look at the intricate detail

 

 

The Greek Medusa.

[Hailzmick]

The toilet system. Unless you were mega rich & had your own toilet, (nearly unheard of), you would use communal toilets... But of course you would send your slave there first to warm it up for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Celsus library in the distance. It held over 12,000 scrolls.

 

 

 

We then went in to the Terrace Houses, (it is an extra fee, but it was covered in our tour). They started excavating these houses in 1960 & in recent years have they been open to the public.

 

 

 

 

[Hailzmick]

The houses are covered with a giant tarp-like roof, so they can continue the excavation and to keep them out of the elements.

 

These tables are for sorting thru everything... Like one huge jigsaw puzzle!

 

 

 

The terrace houses date back to 1C BC & were used until 7C AD.

 

 

 

 

 

There are six terrace houses, all double storey with a courtyard in the middle.

 

 

 

No expense spared. All marble

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hailzmick]

The Terrace Houses continued...

 

 

 

 

 

 

This table was used to play backgammon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A kitchen

 

 

[Hailzmick]

 

 

 

 

 

Outside the house of "Love", wink wink.

 

 

 

Inside the brothel. It was SO damn interesting!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's said that there are tunnels built under the roads from the library to the brothel, where the husbands would go to the "library" to "read" and give their wives money to go shopping. Ha ha. How sneaky!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Hailzmick]

This was the first advertisement recorded. It's saying that the brothel is that way, (the direction of the foot) & you can't enter it unless your foot is at least that size, (meaning you must be a man!) Also the number of dots in the heart represent how many women are working there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ephesus was once a seaport, but now it's a whole six miles from the sea! Such interesting facts!!!

 

Okay, I'm giving it a rest for tonight... More about Kusadasi later! & yes, the day continues to be mega amazing!!! Xxx

[2travelers2go]

Really loving reading along! Kushadasi is going to be one of our stops during our upcoming cruise, so I am enjoying seeing the photos and hearing of your great experience there!

 

P.S. Though your tour guide gave you an interesting tale about the "red carpet" origin, perhaps she may want to read up a bit on Greek tragedies, namely Aschylus' "Agamemnon" which many site as the origin of the use of a red/purple carpet.

 

Keep on with your intriguing posts - really looking forward to them!

[papcx]

Loving this review.

 

We're on the vision next year, so the ship info is great and we did some of these ports of calls this year so it's like a trip down memory lane.

 

Keep it coming.

 

[cgomps]

Oh Hailz! So love reading this -you remembered all Nec"s interesting stories too! I believe I have a pic of your hubby also holding the umbrella and a walk on the carpets in the continuation of this fabulous day!!!! I will be sad when you finish the trip! I may just start reading your next cruise too! [emoji3] you are doing such a fabulous recount of the cruise!!! I need to book another one soon!!!!!!

[JD26]

Hailz, Thanks again for the review. We are on the Oct 19th sailing and you are giving me great information. I am going to pick up the tender tickets for our party of 10 and will go down about 45 minutes before the allotted time. One question, where do I go to pick up the tickets? I am getting so excited for our trip. :):):):)

[JD26]

Sorry, another question popped into my head. What time do you think we can schedule a tour for the day we leave the ship? We are not flying back to Minnesota until Saturday, Oct 31st. We depart the ship on Friday, October 30th and we would like to do another Barcelona Day tour that day. It's so nice being able to ask you questions. Thanks again for all of your help.

JoDee

:o:o:o:o

[scotty22]

Great detailed review and good timing. We leave for same itinerary in less than 3 weeks. Will you please send me the Compasses? eric@ecoa.us

 

Thanks in advance,

Eric

[cruiselife4me]

Love, Love, LOVE this review!!! Wish we were on the ship with you - such a fun couple. I have yet to take on Europe, but it's a dream of mine. (fingers crossed and hope!!)

 

Top contributor with Trip Advisor - a fav site of mine.

 

Can't wait to read the rest!

Mary

[cruiseclues]

Thank You so very much for your fine Pic Review. :):):):)

[hyen52]

Like to read your reviews! We are on the Sept 13th sailing and would love if you could email me a copy of the compasses as well hyen52@yahoo.com. Thanks.

[Hailzmick]

Hi guys! I'm so sorry I haven't posted!

In the few spare hours I've had, I did a room reno to surprise Mick! (For a spare bedroom).

Plus my mum has been super sick, (that will come up in the next cruise review), so been trying to drive the 80 minutes to see her as much as I can.

Thanks for understanding xxx

[Swabia]

Fantastic review! I would really appreciate it if you could email copies of the daily compass to me at douglas.boyer@verizon.net

[lawgirl]

You are doing a great job! You two are super cute and sound soooo fun! You sure you don't want to cruise this one again with us? :D

 

I had the same experience as you at House of the Virgin Mary...so peaceful and spiritual. It was an odd feeling, but awe inspiring. I can't wait to return!

 

Question about chefs table....when we did it last year, they would switch up wines if you asked or pour more if you liked one? I like white...red gives me a headache. Just wondering if it was the same for you? The wine was certainly free flowing at our last CT! Bummer your crowd was boring. Ours was very fun and well traveled and most had done the CT several times on the same cruise!

 

Thanks again!

[Hailzmick]

Really loving reading along! Kushadasi is going to be one of our stops during our upcoming cruise, so I am enjoying seeing the photos and hearing of your great experience there!

 

 

 

P.S. Though your tour guide gave you an interesting tale about the "red carpet" origin, perhaps she may want to read up a bit on Greek tragedies, namely Aschylus' "Agamemnon" which many site as the origin of the use of a red/purple carpet.

 

 

 

Keep on with your intriguing posts - really looking forward to them!

Ha ha! As I've said in earlier posts, even if the story isn't true, I love hearing is kind of thing... It gives it more meaning and I remember it a lot better!

Thanks for following!

 

 

 

Loving this review.

 

We're on the vision next year, so the ship info is great and we did some of these ports of calls this year so it's like a trip down memory lane.

 

Keep it coming.

 

Thanks so much for reading along! Vision was amazing!!!

 

 

 

Oh Hailz! So love reading this -you remembered all Nec"s interesting stories too! I believe I have a pic of your hubby also holding the umbrella and a walk on the carpets in the continuation of this fabulous day!!!! I will be sad when you finish the trip! I may just start reading your next cruise too! [emoji3] you are doing such a fabulous recount of the cruise!!! I need to book another one soon!!!!!!

I'm going to miss posting! But I still have the next cruise to post, (it certainly won't be as upbeat as this one, unfortunately) & I still have a fair bit of this one to go. Plus we are friends on fb and I LOVE seeing your pics!!

Ps. Come over here for our next cruise. LaMac & Mike are! March 30th on Explorer! Yeah yeah yeah!!! Xoxoxoxoxo

[Hailzmick]

You are doing a great job! You two are super cute and sound soooo fun! You sure you don't want to cruise this one again with us? :D

 

 

 

I had the same experience as you at House of the Virgin Mary...so peaceful and spiritual. It was an odd feeling, but awe inspiring. I can't wait to return!

 

 

 

Question about chefs table....when we did it last year, they would switch up wines if you asked or pour more if you liked one? I like white...red gives me a headache. Just wondering if it was the same for you? The wine was certainly free flowing at our last CT! Bummer your crowd was boring. Ours was very fun and well traveled and most had done the CT several times on the same cruise!

 

 

 

Thanks again!

 

I'd LOVE to do it again!!! Yes please! If my mum wasn't so sick at the moment and my dogs didn't miss me as much as they did, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but unfortunately I won't be leaving the country for longer than two weeks next time.

Yes, the Chef's table are very happy to accommodate- if you say white wine only, they can do that for sure.

[Hailzmick]

I'm going to post more about Turkey now and then email all those who have asked, a copy of the Cruise Compasses! :-)

Thanks for your patience!

[Hailzmick]

Back to Turkey...

This is a not very good pic of Nec, but it's the only one I got.

 

 

Driving along

 

 

Next up we went to a museum.

 

 

It was super interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of the things there were from the ruins that we were just at.