Europe 2014 (part 6)

Day 9: Istanbul

We arrived in Turkey and ‘hopped on’ a Hop on-Hop off bus. We saw lots of interesting sites throughout the day:

On the bridge between the Europe side and Asia side #continenthopping

Dad eating fish cooked on a boat along the river

 

D found the vegetarian option

Our brother was a little less adventurous in his eating

Walking through the infamous Spice Market and Grand Bazaar—WOW was it crowded!!!

Touring the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

Day 10: Ephesus

We split up this day with one group going to tour the Ephesian runes and the other staying in the bazaar near the ship.

J and D were on a mission to find some ‘genuine fake’ purses to take home. I was their official haggler which was really fun for me!

They spent so much time in one store that our mom, who was waiting outside, made a friend who gave her some apple tea.

To be honest, Turkey was a little lackluster compared to some of the places we had visited. This is just personal opinion,  but Istanbul was so crowded that it was hard to enjoy. Ephesus was neat for the group that went to see the ruins (those that didn’t join had already seen them) but just didn’t compare to some of the other sites we had visited. Maybe we were becoming jaded by this time (Just another Wonder of the Ancient World? Yawn)

Next week: Back on track in Athens!

Europe 2014 (part 5)

Day 7: At sea

Here are a few pictures of what we were up to on the cruise ship…..

1. Enjoying fantastic meals in the formal dining room

 2. Entering contests:

Our bright discovering he is a fantastic hula hooper (he was as surprised as we were)

Some of us are good at making airplanes…some not so much

My parents in the ‘Newlywed game’ –They won 1^st prize!!

*not pictured-multiple instances of ear plugging from the family section

 

3. Sunbathing and invading the pool!

4. Wine tasting—we stopped listening after the first 5 minutes (It was a 2 hour lesson) but did find out lemon and cheese makes wine taste better!

5. Mr. M winning at Deal or No Deal – definitely helped pay our bar tab at the end of the trip!

6. Unfortunately I don't have  picture but one night we closed down the dance floor at 2am (only people left dancing were family members) A ‘did you see how I left the dance floor-Best.Move.Ever.’ Two minutes later: J ‘did you see me dance off the floor at the end—I was amazing!’ Modesty is a family trait.

7. Shockingly enough a few of us did actually visit the Wellness faciilites on board occasionally.

A few of us didn't...

8. Many hours spent in the English Pub and Casino building up said bar tab.

 

Day 8: Mykonos

D REALLY wanted to rent scooters, but we discovered you have to have a motorcycle license (she is studying for hers as we speak) so we rented ATV’s instead.

It was a fun way to get to see the beautiful island—which really is as picturesque as the postcards.

 

Some of us even got in a workout (this hill was so steep our ATVs couldn't make it with both people on board) #hillwork

Afterwards we ate lunch and Mr. M discovered a new obsession: tzatziki sauce. As soon as we got home he contacted our local grocery store and informed me they can get it, but it only comes in a 2 gallon pail. He assured me he would be able to eat the entire pail in 2 weeks so it would be a worthy investment. If this actually happens I will be sure to let you know (and take pictures).

Next week: Turkish delight!

Europe 2014 (part 4)

Day 6: Naples/Isle of Capri

Right before we left on the trip, J lined us up with a boat tour of the Isle of Capri. It looked a bit sketchy on the website with titles like:

4 hours tour (OMG) and 3 hour tour (so cool I could die)

But we decided to risk it and book, and we are so glad we did! The entire front of the boat was a sunbathing area and the views and water were breathtaking. This was everyone’s favorite day of the entire trip. We even got to swim in the Mediterranean, surrounded by yachts (and a jelly fish). Of course diving contests and synchronized swimming were a must, and I’m sure the yachtys were highly impressed with our level of sophistication (the jellyfish-not so much).

 

 

 

My pictures can’t show you how blue the water was but this picture I stole off the internet will help.

Interesting fact: On the boat taxi ride to the Isle several tourists took pictures of j. Just stuck their camera right in her face and took a picture. We are curious to know what celebrity they thought they had spotted. They didn’t speak English so we weren’t able to ask.

Highlight: I may have mentioned Mr. M’s obsession with pizza (he dreams in pepperoni). Naples is the birthplace of pizza and boy do they know what they are doing.

Look how happy he is!

 

Lowlight: J bought us all a round of Lemoncello and forced us to drink it. In case you are wondering, it tastes just like lemonheads mixed with rubbing alcohol.

 

Next week: Fun on the cruise ship and Mykonos