State Department Entertaining rooms

I got a tour and here are some of the amazing things I saw - Furniture from 1800's

Detail of beautiful furniture top

Silver

Serving pieces and candlesticks

Thomas Jefferson Desk - perhaps used for Declaration of Independence

Getting ready for foreign guests

Large reception room used for foreign dignitaries

Regal window decor

Vern Vera and Anya

Vern, Vera and Anya at Washington DC Temple

Andrew Michael Christensen blessing August 19 2012

Grandpa Kurt, Father Kevin, Baby Andrew

Grandpa Kurt, Grandma Linda with baby Andrew

Kevin with son Andrew

Venice Wednesday and Thursday

 Kurt and Dave at front of ship

Sail in to Venice Italy - San Marco dome

The Grand Canal -  Gondola  -     Venice Italy

The Grand Canal - one of the Palaces

Church in Venice Italy

Venice looking from San Marco

Ilene, Dave and Kurt by Doge Palace and San Marco church

Church of San Marco

Gold Mosaics were stunning

More gold Mosaics on church of San Marco (St. Mark)

I loved the ornate domes of San Marco

Linda at top of bell tower

Venice and the Grand Canal from bell tower

Another beautiful building along the Grand Canal in Venice

Rialto Bridge in Venice - fun stores

Ilene, Dave and Kurt as we sail into Venice - our final Port

Athens

Looking down at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus from the Acropolis in Athens - what a stage

Kurt, Ilene and Dave in front of the Parthenon in Athens  - Sun was bright and hot

Linda in front of Parthenon in Athens

Commissioned by Pericles and built by Pheidias, the perfectly proportioned Parthenon crowns the Acropolis, representing the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Follow the winding path to 'the upper city' entrance through the Propylaea gateway. Beyond, on the highest part of the hill, stands the crowning glory of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, looking out over the graceful Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Old City below.  It was fascinating to be there and I was grateful for the crowds because it made the walking slow and we had time to catch our breath and see the sights.

Towel folding and fruit and vegetable carving

Here are some fun ideas with towels as well as with food.  Maybe an activity for summer fun?

Mouse

Elephant

Monkey

Seal

Rabbit?

Crab

Dog?

Owl

Fish

Lots of Fish

Flower

Bread Basket

Turtle with bread

Peacock

Ephesus Turkey Sunday May 6

'Beautiful Izmir' is the third largest city and the second largest port of Turkey. Built in the 3rd century B.C., it shared with Troy the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia.

Ephesus has the best ancient sites anywhere.  It had a ¼ million population at time of Christ and currently lies five miles inland from Aegean coast

There are still remnants of the beautiful mosaics on the floor of some of the public places.

Ephesus had the third largest library of its time with fine architecture.  Statues of the four women representing knowledge, friendship, understanding, and wisdom are still there. 

The amphitheater is huge and impressive. 

 

Funny sign

Library - third largest in world at that time.  One of the best ancient sites anywhere

Dave and Ilene at Library in Ephesus

Amphitheater where Paul probably taught

Sunday morning on the ship in our wonderful cabin, we read some of Ephesians and talked about Paul’s counsel to put on the whole armor of God.  It was interesting to walk where Paul had walked and see the huge amphitheater where he probably taught.

Istanbul Turkey Saturday May 5

Istanbul - Europe on Left and Asia on Right Ships everywhere

The Blue Mosque - spectacular

Ceiling of Blue Mosque

Decor of Topaki Palace Istanbul

Inlaid pearl on window shutter of Topaki Palace Istanbul

View of Bosphorus from Topaki Palace Istanbul

Ilene, Dave, Kurt and Linda in Istanbul