Thanks for posting the photos, Wes! Seems like I was just there. OH! That's right! I was!! LOL... Great to see you and Ida enjoying the awesome sites. Looks like the dust storms cleared for the time you were there. Awesome. Continue to enjoy the rest of your cruise!

For more pix from Israel (Jerusalem, pls look below) We took only Regent excursions in Israel (both included and both exceptionally outstanding with fabulous guides--one was tied with the best guide we have had this cruise). Methinks on some exotic itineraries (e.g. Asia, Middle east) Regent really shines as a lux cruise product
with their handling of included excursions. We talked with a Regent Destinations pro who switches back and forth from Oceania and Regent. Ida asked her which line she prefers--she said Regent as the guests are so much more relaxed (not having to pay extra for drinks or excursions). Just spoke with count Florida (Mike and Pat are happy, they just got upgraded to a Seven Seas Voyager suite for Athens to Istanbul).

Jerusalem panaoramic shot:



Taken from the Gardens of Gethsemane:





In Jerusalem (Western Wall (Wailing)



On Via Dolorosa (believed to be route Jesus followed carrying the Cross to Calvary)



Picture taken in the Holy Sepulcher:



Inside the Church of Nativity (birthplace of Jesus)

Wes, the photo's are stunning....you're turning into a pro :app: Thanks for taking us along.

Supercalafragalistcexpealadocious!

I am loving all your photos and posts. Have now added this itinerary to my must do list.

Ok this hilarious. In the picture inside the church, there are 2 men sitting on the benches on the left side. The younger one with the blue shirt looks just like Jon my youngest. Son, and the bald guy looks like George my husband.

wonderful all

Thanks Suzie, Ray, Betty (you will absolutely love this itinerary) Rachel, Diane for your very kind comments. A few pix from crew kapers performed last night:

Oh, Krew Kapers...... a sad goodbye.

We had a great day in Athens with five fellow cruise critic couples including LCTr's Mike & Pat, pix below:







[IMG]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa436







We had a warm cruise critic/regent get together our first day on board, here is pix of beaming Mike & Pat



Ida and some CCr's:

Col:

You and your camera are certainly not doing any injustice to the fascinating sites you're seeing.

Nice to have a fun group to travel with as well.


Cheers! Ray & Penny

Ray & Penny, Thank you.

Here are some pix from Santorini:








And here are pix taken today at Ephesus (Terrace Houses)

Stunning photo's. Anxious to hear how you compare this cruise and ports to your other many travels. Keep having fun and I look forward to more cruise news and pic's.

Thank you Suzie, we absolutely love this middle east and Aegean itinerary. Our second fav cruise out of 16.

Quick note on the absolutely outstanding (intuitive) service we are receiving using my a.m routine to highlight. As I went to the coffee corner to get Ida's morning cafe latte, first had some OJ, then walked up to the bar and Galina handed me the cafe latte without me having to ask (she saw me in the miirror as I entered the coffee bar).
At breakfast, Sylvester one of the Maitre'D's at La Veranda had a steaming cappuccino put in front of me just as I finished my morning fruit/nut plate (again without asking). Guess these shining examples of anticipatory service are one of the benefits of now being on board the Voyager for 21 days.

Today, we are in Mykonos. We took the Island Delos excursion this morning. Below are some pix of this beautiful Island taken from the Voyager, and then pix taken on Delos. The island is covered with ruins, fallen columns, sections of the famous mosaics that once adorned the houses of the rich. According to Greek mythology, Leto gave birth to Artermis and Appollo here. Ida tricked me into climbing (I jogged up/down) the sacred Mount Cynthus, saying lets go...we only had about 40 min left before we had to re board the tender--so I quickly took off with Ida behind me (so I thought). Twenty min later it was just me hoofing it up Mount Cynthus.

Two of the pix at next post below are taken when I made it to the top.
Mount Cynthus back story:

Mount Cynthus
The Cynthion, the Sanctuary sacred to Athena Cynthia and Zeus Cynthus, is located at the highest point of the island, a venerable spot already in the archaic period and much enlarged in the late 2nd century BCE.

The visitor can climb up eastwards in order to see the Sanctuaries on the summit of mount Cynthus. He follows the best preserved of the three paths which can be seen easily from afar.

Pls enjoy these Delos & Mykonos pix:





Sacred Way




Terrace of Lions guarding the Sanctuary to Apollo:



House of Dionysus floor mosaic

More Delos and Mount Cythus pix:

Column with phallus at the Stoivadeion



Delos ruins:



Mount Cythus pix:

Interesting photos Wes. Have never seen photos of these sites before. I simply must get to the Greek Isles one of these days. This has been quite an adventure for you and Ida. Would have loved to sailed along.

Wes and Ida. Such a trip

I'm enjoying every post as well. For sure I could never keep up with Wes and Ida and all the activity they fit in each day!

I am so impressed. Thank you Wes and Ida for sharing this with us.

Totally magnificent trip reporting and pics! You and Ida look like you are having the time of your lives and you truly deserve it! Have a safe journey back home!!! :)

Great photos and loving your posts here and on cc, Wes. It sounds like you and Ida area really enjoying this cruise.

Breathtaking contrast in colors in Mykonis, photo's sharp, clear and I might add, um-m-m-m interesting. Thanks again

Hi Betty, Diane, Olivia (sure you can keep up with us--we need to plan a cruise together), Jim, Sue/Tom, Beth, Suzie;

Thanks again for your very kind words.

A few pix from yesterday's stop in Kavala, Greece (no ruins per se, but a wonderful seaside port to meander around)







A few pix taken from the Voyager of Instanbul this morning as we sailed in (now docked):

Thanks so much for posting your reports and pictures - David and I are doing a very similar iyinerary on the Voyager in April 2013, and we are really looking forward to it!