Our internal clocks are definitely not on Greek time yet. We awoke about 3:30 am after being up for 30+ hours. Later that morning, we learned that Shannon slept just fine. Once awake, there is nothing to do but take a shower and get cleaned up. The good thing about the shower is that the water pressure was great. The bad thing about the shower is that it leaked like a sieve. We found out that Shannon’s shower leaked too.
The breakfast buffet opened at 6:30. It was a full buffet, hot and cold food, fruit and pastries. We ate with Pete and Margaret Angel – who just happen to be members of the church we attend – Adventure Christian Church.
The breakfast buffet opened at 6:30. It was a full buffet, hot and cold food, fruit and pastries. We ate with Pete and Margaret Angel – who just happen to be members of the church we attend – Adventure Christian Church.
Our inconspicuous bus! =)
Corinth Canal
Not long after breakfast we boarded the tour bus and left the hotel at 7:30. We traveled the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to our 1st stop of the day - the Corinth Canal which connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. This canal is 100 years old, approximately 6.5 kilometers long, 25 meters wide, 8 meters deep and saves those who use it about 300 miles. The schedule allowed for about 30 minutes (from 9:00 to 9:30) for walking across the bridge over the canal, taking pictures, and buying souvenirs and snacks. At 9:30 we were headed for Corinth.
Not long after breakfast we boarded the tour bus and left the hotel at 7:30. We traveled the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to our 1st stop of the day - the Corinth Canal which connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. This canal is 100 years old, approximately 6.5 kilometers long, 25 meters wide, 8 meters deep and saves those who use it about 300 miles. The schedule allowed for about 30 minutes (from 9:00 to 9:30) for walking across the bridge over the canal, taking pictures, and buying souvenirs and snacks. At 9:30 we were headed for Corinth.
Corinth
We arrived in Old Corinth at approximately 10:30. This city is the site of Apostle Paul’s most extensive ministry and where he set up the first Christian church. We viewed the ruins of the city, saw the Bema (Judgment Seat) where Paul stood before Gallo, the Roman Administrator, and preached to the Corinthians. We saw the Temple of Apollo, which is the oldest Temple (from the 6th Century BC) in Greece that has columns made from one piece of marble. The columns must have been 50 feet high, 6-8 feet across and weighed many tons each. This is unique because columns are usually made of several stacked round pieces.
We arrived in Old Corinth at approximately 10:30. This city is the site of Apostle Paul’s most extensive ministry and where he set up the first Christian church. We viewed the ruins of the city, saw the Bema (Judgment Seat) where Paul stood before Gallo, the Roman Administrator, and preached to the Corinthians. We saw the Temple of Apollo, which is the oldest Temple (from the 6th Century BC) in Greece that has columns made from one piece of marble. The columns must have been 50 feet high, 6-8 feet across and weighed many tons each. This is unique because columns are usually made of several stacked round pieces.
The Bema
Temple of Apollo
Pastor Rick’s Devotions were based on I Corinthians, Chapter 1 - where Christians in Corinth were struggling with their environment. Surrounded by corruption and every conceivable sin, they felt the pressure to adapt. The Apostle Paul heard of their struggles and wrote this letter to address their problems, heal their divisions, and answer their questions. Paul confronted them with their sin and their need for corrective action and clear commitment to Christ. Paul emphasizes the clear and simple gospel message around which all believers should rally, he explains the role of church leaders, and he urges them to grow up in their faith.
Cathy Cole quoted two Bible versus from II Corinthians 2: 19-20: (19) For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. (20) For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
We left Corinth and headed toward Ancient Epidaurus. On the way we stopped for lunch at a large restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating. This is also the place where we saw the first of many of what appeared to be stray dogs. Shannon ordered Roast Lamb with potatoes, Cathy had a Greek salad and I ordered Schnitzel and French Fries. Enjoying lunch with flies was a challenge. There were more flies than I cared for but these Greeks had some type of fly extermination process that we were not familiar with. Throughout our lunch we would see flies just simply dropping dead out of the air. Luckily, none landed on our lunch plate but several landed on the table. After about an hour break for lunch, we were back on the road
Cathy Cole quoted two Bible versus from II Corinthians 2: 19-20: (19) For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. (20) For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
We left Corinth and headed toward Ancient Epidaurus. On the way we stopped for lunch at a large restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating. This is also the place where we saw the first of many of what appeared to be stray dogs. Shannon ordered Roast Lamb with potatoes, Cathy had a Greek salad and I ordered Schnitzel and French Fries. Enjoying lunch with flies was a challenge. There were more flies than I cared for but these Greeks had some type of fly extermination process that we were not familiar with. Throughout our lunch we would see flies just simply dropping dead out of the air. Luckily, none landed on our lunch plate but several landed on the table. After about an hour break for lunch, we were back on the road
Epidaurius
We arrived in Ancient Epidaurus at 4:00 pm. We viewed the outdoor amphitheater that dates to the end of the 4th Century BC. This is the largest, oldest, intact theater in Greece. The acoustics are perfect. The seating capacity is 15,000. To test the acoustics, Cathy Cole was persuaded to sing ‘God Will Reward You’ (which she wrote) and Stan Walton recited the 19th Psalm – both sounded perfect. It was absolutely incredible to be sitting in an amphitheater that was built approximately 6,000 years ago. We learned that in the 1950s, the Opera ‘Madia’ was performed here. The headliner was Maria Callas and the attendance was 17,000. No other opera has been performed there since that time. Supposedly, the acoustics are simply too good for opera. I’m not sure I know what that means.
We arrived in Ancient Epidaurus at 4:00 pm. We viewed the outdoor amphitheater that dates to the end of the 4th Century BC. This is the largest, oldest, intact theater in Greece. The acoustics are perfect. The seating capacity is 15,000. To test the acoustics, Cathy Cole was persuaded to sing ‘God Will Reward You’ (which she wrote) and Stan Walton recited the 19th Psalm – both sounded perfect. It was absolutely incredible to be sitting in an amphitheater that was built approximately 6,000 years ago. We learned that in the 1950s, the Opera ‘Madia’ was performed here. The headliner was Maria Callas and the attendance was 17,000. No other opera has been performed there since that time. Supposedly, the acoustics are simply too good for opera. I’m not sure I know what that means.
At 4:30, we left Epidaurus and headed back to the hotel. On the way back, we stopped again at the Corinth Canal for snacks and a restroom break. Our snack choices were two diet cokes and Pringles Potato Chips. We learned that the hotel was 1 to 1 ½ hours away – depending on the traffic.
On the way back, Claudiu Ratiu began taking pictures of everyone that was sleeping on the bus, mouths open and all that goes with it. It all started with a picture of Cathy sleeping with her mouth wide open – too funny.
On the way back, Claudiu Ratiu began taking pictures of everyone that was sleeping on the bus, mouths open and all that goes with it. It all started with a picture of Cathy sleeping with her mouth wide open – too funny.
Park Hotel, Athens
We got back to the hotel a little after 7:30 pm and dinner was ready. We sat with Veronica Montoya and her daughter, Brittney Chavez. Dinner consisted of rolls, meat balls, fried rice and some strange ‘hairy’ dessert. We had lots of laughs about the food.
We finally got to bed around 10:30 pm and are expecting a big day tomorrow – we board the ship to cruise some Greek Islands.
We got back to the hotel a little after 7:30 pm and dinner was ready. We sat with Veronica Montoya and her daughter, Brittney Chavez. Dinner consisted of rolls, meat balls, fried rice and some strange ‘hairy’ dessert. We had lots of laughs about the food.
We finally got to bed around 10:30 pm and are expecting a big day tomorrow – we board the ship to cruise some Greek Islands.
No comments:
Post a Comment