MARYHOP ON CELESTYAL CRUISE: DAY 2

Maryhop On Cruise
Day 2

If you did not have the chance to read everything about my amazing 1st cruising day around the Aegean, you better start now. Because this post is the second part of my non-stop experience and you wouldn’t want to lose its beginning. Would you?

If you’re not the type of person that likes going back and forth though, let me sum up for you my first day aboard Celestyal Olympia. It was such a full day; it began with salsa dances and an origami lesson, followed by a cocktail show on the deck, endless strolls at our first stop – Mykonos that was – and ended with a multi-cultural show in the evening. In between all these, I had my mind literally blown away from everything I tasted at the ship’s restaurant and a certain lobster soup, especially.

I rested up for just a bit and woke up to see we had already arrived at Kuşadası. After a 06:00 wake up call - as I didn't want to miss the delicious breakfast-, it was time for our visit to the Ancient City of Ephesus and the Roman Villas at 07:00.

Celestyal Olympia, very early in the morning in Kuşadası

The Ancient City of Ephesus and the Roman Villas.

Visiting the ancient city of Ephesus was a unique experience. Being one of the biggest outdoor archaeological sites in the world and an excellent representation of the greatness of the ancient Greek culture, this ancient harbor-city was founded around 6.000 BC with its population reaching almost 250.000 people at some point. It was one of the greatest and most important economic and cultural centers of the ancient times.

Our tour began from the majestic Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and continued with a walk through the Odeon, the Hot Springs of Scholastikia, the Great Theatre (which is believed to be the largest theatre in the ancient world), the Agora, the Library of Celsus,the Prytaneum, the Temple of Hadrian, the houses, the marble Couretes Way.

We visited the Hillside Houses as well, a great part of which is covered for protection. They used to house the wealthier habitants of Ephesus - a wealth that can be clearly seen at the mosaic floors and exquisite marbles decorating these houses up until today.

efesos-kusantasi-maryhop
The Library of Celsus

The Great Theatre

εφεσος, τουρκια δημοσια αποχωρητηρια, έφεσος
The Public Toilets

αρχαια έφεσος

Thanx to John, we had a very detailed and completed tour in the area. And he is a great guy also.

The Carpet Cooperativa.

A visit to an exhibition – carpet trade followed afterwards, where we had the chance to watch the silk production, as well as the way the carpets are set together. It is a cooperation of carpet traders actually with the state’s support.

Silk, wool and cotton carpets with a huge variety of designs, colors, techniques and prices can be found there. The most intriguing part though, was that of the carpet-related family traditions. From one generation to another, the secrets and techniques used remain intact through time – managing to mesmerize the visitors with just one look.

I didn’t buy anything – and I wasn’t forced to. They welcomed us there with great delight, served us traditional tea and even encouraged us to walk barefoot on silk carpets, because as we were told, “You can’t see their quality – you can just feel it on your feet.”

carpet-cooperativa-kusantasi-maryhop

Wine Tasting from Merkouri Wines.

The excellent visit to Ephesus as well to the Carpet Cooperativa, was followed by a wine tasting aboard Celestyal Olympia. Mr Nikos Kanellakopoulos, owner of Merkouri Wines, gave us information about the white and red wines of his company, we had the chance to taste them all and I have to say, his presentation was more than helpful.

We learnt about the history of the wines, the varieties, the differences and tasting them was the best part of that meeting, I would admit!

ktima-merkouri-celestyal-cruises wine-tasting-celestyal-cruises

Next stop: On the pathways of Patmos.

The St. John Monastery, the Cave of the Apocalypse, the beautiful Chora, the breathtaking view at the Aegean, the delicious Pougia (traditional local sweet), the excellent tour, the state of awe I was in and its peacefulness; these are the most important hints of my visit to the island - it is a quite unique island, an extraordinary place.

This island has a prestige of its own – something I’ve never experienced elsewhere.

Patmos, the island of the Apocalypse or the “Jerusalem of the Aegean” as they call it, is on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. The Cave of the Apocalypse was where Aghios Ioannis the Theologian wrote the Apocalypse and the Monastery owns up until this day invaluable treasures.

Patmos was a special stop of this cruise. And the view to the Aegean? Beautiful and overwhelming at the same time.

patmos-celestyal-cruises-maryhop
With the UK Press Team

The dinner with the Captain, the Greek Show and the Cuban Party.

Our second night onboard was with the company of the ship’s captain, Mr. Stathis Romaios, the first mate Mr. Stelios Dimitriadis, the PR Manager of Celestyal Cruises, Mrs. Froso Zaroulea-Skoulis and the U.K. Press Team. We accepted our captain’s invitation to welcome us with delight and enjoyed not only the amazing stories he had to share but a marvelous dinner too; thanks to the ship’s chef Mr. Yannis Korologos.

Mediterranean cuisine with Greek ‘mezedes’; fava beans, a selection of seafood, ‘kopanisti’ from Mykonos (traditional cheese), delicate ‘gemista’, fresh bass and a tasty chicken with grilled vegetables. Of course we had to drink, so we enjoyed Greek ouzo and raki, along with Greek wines, everything carefully selected from the Captain himself.

Going on a cruise doesn’t mean you can’t eat delicious food – My experience is the living proof!

maryhop-celestyal-cruiises patmos-celestyal-cruises-maryhop
With the Captain, Mr Romeos

And the night went on as usual; Partying, partying and partying.

A Greek Show to begin with, followed by Live Cuban Music and Latin dances with Ion showing us the Cuban way to party! And you know what the greatest thing of it all is? We’re eating all day long and dance all night long! Calories gained – calories lost. Thanx to our dance - instructor and partner in crime, Ion, the assistant cruise director.

patmos-celestyal-cruises-maryhop

Stay Tuned. Day N.3 is coming...

In the meantime, you can follow my journey on my social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and of course Instagram.

See you very - very soon...

Don't miss the Sequel:

Maryhop On Cruise - Day 1: Mykonos

Maryhop On Cruise - Day 3: Rhodes