Posted on by TC0241

Vacation in Review

 
Well I thought I would take a moment to review the holiday now we are back to the grind of daily life. I find that memories fade very quickly so you get little or no chance to savor them. It is more like “that’s over put it away in a box”. There is a tendency to actually work during vacations as well and I have done it myself. I was on an all day conference call on the 26th of December one year whilst everyone else was out on snow mobiles. (Note to All of you, you NEVER get the time with your family back)

So back to the holiday


Rome was superb and quieter than expected with no big crowds. It was great just to wander around. A mistake not to check the opening hours of the Sistine Chapel which means we need to go back. A couple of lazy days strolling around in the sunshine with something to marvel at around every corner.


Sorrento was cute with lots of cafes and quiet backstreets and alleyways and a very nice place to be. Pompeii was good but more for the putting the story to the place than what you actually see. The story is one everyone knows the place could do with some more information and possibly reconstruction of some areas to show what it was actually like.


Alexandria was a mix, a little under played and think given its historical importance I sort of expected more. Great Fort and the Story of the original library was always one of those myths you read about. The new library whilst impressive is just a library. There was no 7th wonder (the lighthouse) but we knew that. We took some time to wander around the local market which was a blast. Maybe we should focus more on this type of vacation as the sights, sounds and smells will stay with me. A little like my first encounter with local markets in Thailand. You have this desire to do it and a fear of what you will see, but that is the fun seeing how ordinary people go about their lives. No blackberry for the guy selling herbs from his bike and no iPod for the crew scaling fish on their stall.


Port Said was more of a stopping point but the port was something else ferries darting across full of locals trying to dodge these huge container ships and bulk carriers. Not much else really. We stopped to pick up the overnight Cairo pyramid tourists. A word about the pyramids don’t go on am 8 hour trip and spend 7 of them on a coach. Stay overnight if you can. For me these are probably the best thing I have ever seen. I have seen grander and more ornate historical sights (Royal palace in Bangkok, Petra in Jordan, Mayan temples in Belize) but nothing has given me that rush of “how the hell did they………: they need several hours of staring at to be appreciated and take some time to go to the Museum of Cairo for the artifacts they are a mess but worth the effort. If you only get the chance to see one thing in you travels my recommendation will always be the pyramids.


Jerusalem was very very interesting. We did not really get time to draw breath and the biblical sights whizzed by so fast it was difficult to get a sense if their real importance. This is the place where the stories become real. All those religious lessons and bible reading were actually about “real” people with real lives and placing them amongst the sites gives you a funny feeling. As a child I spend quite an amount of time in churches (mum’s influence) but actually be there and see and stand in the places I have heard about so often was, well not sure what it was so I will have to go back and see them again to find out. As for safety I don’t think it is as bad as it is painted. Yes the local cultures do not get along and yes there are lots of point where you question if anyone is actually practicing what they preach however I can honestly say there was no issues and would suggest that it is less of an issue for tourists so don’t let it put you off.


Kusidasi and Ephesus well what can I say Ephesus was somewhat disappointing. Whilst it is elaborate in the Roman style it lacked a lot due to the poor restoration of the main area. The terrace area which is an extra gives a good view of houses of the time and these are far more interesting than the general site. The amphitheater at 25,000 seats is the biggest I have ever seen but that is not enough for me to tell you to rush there. Kusidasi has certainly come on over the last 10 years and is now a somewhat pleasant place and well organized. No local beaches so people come to shop and stay elsewhere.


Patmos is one of those idyllic Greek islands and if you can stand doing nothing for a couple of weeks then go for it. I could probably do 3 days then I would get itchy feet. It evokes everything you see in those pictures of simple Greek life. Slightly laid back so a little slower then the rest of the world and possibly it does not care much about that. Certainly worth a look


Santorini was just as we had left it several years ago. Like Patmos nothing really changes and it is up to you to slip into the rhythm. Some great Gold shopping and really good views. We spent two weeks here in 2001 and I think it was our last real do nothing holiday together. The artists shop which I though was expensive then still is but this time I don’t go away regretting not buying so both he and I are happy.


Athens, this was actually only port to airport so another place I need to return to. I never really had a desire to do Athens but think I should so it can go back on the list of “places we need to go when we get time“.


Hope all this is useful and I am not rambling to myself. We had a great time overall and whilst not everything was marvelous it was all a great experience and we come away slightly different. My Mother used to tell me “everything colors your life” which I took to mean the places you go and the people you meet add a richness to you so we will continue to add more color as we go along.


Now where to go for Christmas Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm