Spinning through the world
Ketchikan is known for its salmon fishing and native Indian population. It is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest.
Victoria, British Columbia was different as the architecture looked quite British. It was a good opportunity to get off the ship and walk around for about an hour.
The next morning we docked back in Seattle. Plans for the day are to leave the ship, get a rental car, and visit the space needle.
Skagway is one of the first mining towns in Alaska and still looks like it did in 1898. It is at the top of the inner passage inside Alaska. Lots of stores selling gems and a few other things to do and see.
The railway goes through the Tongans National Forest. The views were really pretty and we entered just briefly into British Columbia.
We made our way from Skagway and by the next morning we were in Glacier Bay National Park. It was incredible. Park rangers provided commentary over the loudspeakers on outside decks and on the TV’s in the room. Since we upgraded to a better balcony, we didn’t need to leave the room. Being near the glacier dropped the temperature quite a bit. We headed to the Marjorie glacier. This is at the northern part of the Park. At a distance it does not look big but it is 350 feet tall and extends 100 feet below the water surface. Here is a video of a piece of the glacier falling off, called calving: https://youtu.be/5LhBpAcVma8https://youtu.be/5LhBpAcVma8
The first port of call was Juneau. Lots of jewelry, gemstones, and totem poles! It is one of the largest state capitals by land size but has a small population. The only way to get to Juneau is by air or sea and artists to be a popular cruise port!
We had booked a tour to go whale watching. It was fabulous. They served Alaskan seafood and had a naturalist on board helping to look for whales and offer commentary. We actually saw both a mother and baby humpback breach (jump out of the water) and do acrobatics in the water.
A video of a mama and baby rolling and waving their fins: https://youtu.be/2LNL9oT6M80https://youtu.be/2LNL9oT6M80
Pretty much all of my travels are bucket list but going to Alaska on a cruise is definitely one of them. My SIL Sunni and I had been planning this trip for 6 months.
The long awaited vacation had arrived! We flew into Seattle and her friend Kathi picked us up at the airport. She has a beautiful property on the water and was so good to meet her even for a brief visit.
The next morning we headed to Pier 99 to board the Royal Princess. After a little snafu with paperwork, we finally boarded the ship. On the top deck we enjoyed some merriment.
I had never been on a cruise before. I would start the morning with a cup of coffee (I really need to break that habit) and a small bite for breakfast (I rarely have smoked salmon…) Then a dip in the pool for about 5 minutes… Yes, the temperature is just below 60 degrees F. But it was great on my knee and I followed it up with a hot tub session.
I listened to various music or watched games throughout the day when not in port. Of course the Love Boat series was featured as a TV channel. Walking on the Sun deck was also beautiful. The best parts? Spending time with Sunni and eating fabulous food. We met some wonderful people who we danced with most nights and met up for drinks.
I had posted that I left on the cruise when Darcie from AISG (my last school) mentioned her mom was on a cruise that left the same day. Turns out we were on the same ship and we got to meet! Debbie was so much fun to talk to.
It was also fun to dress up for the formal nights. The pictures are so fun!
On the cruise we stopped in several Alaska ports and one in British Columbia. One of our days at sea was inside the Glacier National Park which was one of the highlights of the cruise.
The voice interrupted my concentration in taking a picture of the Missoula courthouse from across the street. I was trying to take it without passing cars in the picture and was too lazy to cross the street.
In his defense, I guess many people are coming to Montana because of the popular TV series. I have actually watched Yellowstone but didn’t think it would have been shot in Missoula. Afterwards, I found that it is the courthouse they used. Interesting. I just like architecture and take pictures of cool buildings I see in my travels.
It was a quick trip as Rebecca and my now son-in-law Ryan are selling into new jobs but have not moved into their new apartment yet. I am also fitting this trip between my own scheduled life. Mostly we spent time together and toured Missoula which is such a cool small city. It really is beautiful.
Kayaking on Flathead Lake was beautiful and gave me the opportunity to chill and practice taking pictures with my new phone.
Becca and I also went on a road trip along route 12 which is the Lewis and Clark trail. So beautiful.
On one of the rest stops they had a trail that went to one of the sites where Lewis and Clark stopped on their travel West.
On future longer trips, I can’t wait to go to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone. Montana is very beautiful. I had a great time with Becca and Ryan before I go to Ecuador in August.
I was home at the beginning of 2022 but it had been a crazy time in China since. A lot of time with family and not many pictures…. Just absorbing the time with them!
I settled into spending time with family and just relaxing a bit. Hard to believe that it had been 40 years since I graduated high school. The reunion was great and such a good attendance!
I stopped to look at my old house and talk with teachers I worked with in Punxsutawney. So good to see them!
Small Town living in Worthington means parades and carnivals….
Christmas in July movies with my SIL (and sushi)…
Movies…
I visited Candy and David in Atlanta. Always good to talk about lots of stuff with them and see how retirement is treating them!
Most of time was didn’t taking care of banking, retirement, and everything else. Not too informative but memories of being with my loved ones I’ll remember. And on to Montana.
Looking for a low key last day in Istanbul, I went to the Archaeological museum and also a cruise along the Bosphorus River.
The cruise went from a port near the bazaars, further up the Bosphorus, then down to the sea of Mármara through an area known as the Golden Horn, before returning.
So many cultures and empires in Constantinople/Turkey history, it is difficult to put it all together quickly but I like picking up pieces here and there.
Did you know that in some cultures it was thought that the sarcophagus was your home as you lived in your afterlife, therefore they were often shaped as houses?
Excavation of Troy found that there are 10 distinct periods of culture in the city. This picture is of Troy 6 from 1700-1350 BCE. The oldest period is 3500 BCE and the youngest is from 13th to 14th century.
Pottery samples from Troy.
Macedonian pottery found in Troy dating back to 13th century BCE shows trading between t HH e two regions goes far back in history.
Obviously first go shopping. The Grand Bazaar is packed with people and lots of people wanting you to buy rugs and scarves.
Generally that is a place that I avoid but I needed to pass through to get to the spice Bazaar where I was meeting a tour (one should really get the Istanbul e-pass as I saved so much money and had people on Whatsapp to help at any moment).
I did buy Turkish delight there. Hazerbaba is the best. But I followed the recommendation of someone I know to buy Iranian saffron from a reputable dealer (Gülhane Spice) which is near Gülhane park. I forgot to take pictures there. I also bought a cashmere wool scarf with silk embroidery.
A hammam is a traditional Turkish bathhouse that has been a central part of Turkish culture for centuries. The experience in a hammam began with a warm and humid environment (sauna). I was given a pestemal, a traditional Turkish cloth, to wear around my body along with disposable string underwear. Now with open pores I am prepared for exfoliation of the skin.
Next, I was led to a hot room with a large, heated marble slab known as the göbektaşı. Laying on the marble slab, I was splashed with warm water and gently scrubbed with a kese, a coarse mitt used to remove dead skin cells and impurities. After another rinsing and then turning over to complete the process on the backside, I was then covered with lemon scented suds. It felt like I was floating on clouds of super soft bubbles. They used a really light towel to skim over your skin and caress you with the bubbles. It felt pretty great. Then you are massaged to thoroughly clean the skin. Afterwards, you are led to a marble seating area to eat your hair and rinse you completely. After seeing your hair and face, you are wrapped tightly in a fuzzy towel.
After this cleaning and relaxing process, I was moved to a cooler room with a traditional Turkish coffee service, allowing rest and enjoying the feeling of rejuvenated skin and muscles. My skin is so soft….
No pictures to show but the experience was amazing. There are many hammams in the city including one of these oldest ones which is pretty expensive. But any hammam that had an older grandma type person does a super job.
The Rustem Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman-era mosque located in the historic district near the Spice Bazaar. Commissioned by Rustem Pasha, who was the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire under Suleiman the Magnificent, the mosque was designed by the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan and completed in 1563. The mosque is known for its intricate tile work, which covers the walls, columns, and arches of the interior, which is stunning. The tiles were produced in the nearby city of Iznik and have a variety of floral and geometric patterns in blue, green, and red. The Rustem Pasha Mosque is considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture.
Hagia Sophia is a world-renowned architectural wonder. Originally built as a Christian cathedral in the 6th century, the building has a rich and complex history spanning over a millennium. For almost 1,000 years, it served as the principal church of the Eastern Orthodox Church, until the city of Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. The building was then converted into a mosque and remained so until the early 20th century, when it was turned into a museum. In 2020, it was converted back into a mosque.
Hagia Sophia’s architecture is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of its designers. The building’s massive dome, which spans over 100 feet in diameter, is one of the largest in the world and was then a marvel of engineering.
The interior of the building is adorned with intricate mosaics, frescoes, and other decorations, many of which depict scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and other religious figures.
Despite being converted into a mosque and then a museum, the building’s historical and cultural significance remained unchanged. It showcases both the Byzantine and Ottoman cultures with the unique blend of Christian and Islamic elements.
The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a stunningly beautiful mosque. It was commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century. The mosque was designed by the famous Ottoman architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, who aimed to create a masterpiece that would rival the Hagia Sophia.
The Blue Mosque’s most distinctive feature is its six slender minarets, which are topped with balconies and small domes. This was seen as a bold move at the time, as it was believed that only the Grand Mosque in Mecca should have six minarets. Sultan Ahmed I famously solved this issue by commissioning a seventh minaret to be built for the Grand Mosque.
The entrance has chains that remind even the sultan that everyone who enters bows before God.
The mosque’s interior is equally impressive, with intricate tilework, beautiful stained-glass windows, and a stunning central dome that is over 75 feet in diameter. The mosque also features a large courtyard with a fountain, as well as several smaller domes and semi-domes.
The mosque remains an active place of worship.
Outside the blue mosque is the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was an ancient stadium located in the city of Constantinople. It was originally built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 AD and was later expanded and renovated by the Byzantine emperors. The Hippodrome was the center of Constantinople’s social and political life for over 1,000 years and was the site of chariot races, games, and public ceremonies. It could hold up to 100,000 spectators and was adorned with statues, obelisks, and other decorative features.
Today, only a few remnants of the Hippodrome remain, including some of the original pillars, the obelisk of Theodosius, and the Serpent Column.
The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Cistern, is an ancient underground water reservoir. It was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, and its purpose was to provide the city with a reliable water supply.
The cistern is an engineering marvel, measuring approximately 138 meters long and 64.6 meters wide, with a capacity of around 80,000 cubic meters of water. It was constructed by skilled workers who used a combination of brick, stone, and mortar to create a vast network of columns, arches, and vaulted ceilings that supported a flat roof. The columns were brought in from other parts of the empire and various types of columns can be seen throughout.
The cistern’s name “Basilica” is derived from the fact that it is located underneath the site of a former basilica that once stood on the same spot. The cistern was forgotten for centuries and was only rediscovered in the 16th century.
One of the most famous features of the cistern is the two Medusa heads that are used as the bases of two columns, which are believed to have been taken from an ancient temple and placed in the cistern for protective purposes. I seem to have not found those, but admit to being very tired by that point.
Two of the columns in the Basilica Cistern are famously upside down, with their capitals (the decorative tops of the columns) placed below the base. The reason for this unusual placement is not entirely clear, and several theories have emerged over the years.
One popular theory is that the upside-down columns were recycled from an older structure, possibly a pagan temple, and were placed in the cistern as a way of neutralizing their power. According to this theory, turning the columns upside down was a way of symbolically rendering them powerless, as the tops of the columns would no longer be able to support the weight of the building.
Another theory is that the upside-down columns were simply a result of a mistake made by the builders of the cistern. It is possible that the builders did not have a clear understanding of the correct orientation of the columns, or that they were in a rush to complete the project and did not notice the mistake until it was too late.