tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3660271049293961232024-03-18T21:11:08.090-07:00CYAN:Westbound, Around!CYAN is an Island Packet 380 cutter rig sloop with crew: Chuck and Lynn/Lexxy are now voyaging in the Med completing their circumnavigation begun in Jan 2006Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-52997315919247462642012-12-10T13:24:00.000-08:002012-12-10T13:23:59.479-08:00We made it!At 7:00 am this Monday morning we arrived in Antigua and crossed our previous path from 2006, almost 7 years later and making us official circumnavigators. We have worked hard and are really proud for finishing safe and healthy considering we are old!!! This dream began in May 1973 on our honeymoon as a wild hair idea that now come to fruition. Cyan has logged over 34,000 miles in all our travels on blue water [not counting the US coast]. Remember that most of it was at the speed of a fast walk!
<br>
<br>This Atlantic crossing was just miserable...I won't go into all the discomfort but as far as ocean crossing goes it was a royal pain holding on, cooking, all kinds of sail trim. We are so glad to be in English Harbour...we liked it last time and it is so peaceful to come in after a night of 25-30 knots all night long....but we were trying to slow down to arrive in daylight and that's not easy!
<br>
<br>I will post some photos of events on the passage as soon as we get to a net connection. We will check in tomorrow...we went to sleep for 4 hours as soon as we anchored, we were so tired.
<br>
<br>We now have a journey of more than 1000 miles ahead of us to get to Bradenton, FL by first of the year and we sure hope we have a nice passage since it's our last.
<br>
<br>Mostly today, I thank God for being with us so we could be the best sailors we can and recognize the security of our safe boat. I was to the point of neurosis worried about this passage. Our other voyages were so perfect and I was so afraid we would have some dreadful event to equal it all out but it was only annoying swell, waves, wind shifts, etc and that's just a part of the while deal. I am now relieved to the point of a coma!!! As relaxed as I ever get anyway! We did have fun together, never missing happy hour, and our supportive net of other crossers, the highlight of each day.
<br>
<br>We thank our friends and family who supported us and were actually interested in our life. We especially value the very best thing we experienced from this whole adventure and that's the loving friendship of all our other cruiser friends. It's a little known secret that voyaging sailors are the best, most accomplished, most accepting and most fascinating people in the world. They will always stay in our hearts and you know who you are!
<br>
<br>Please stay in touch with us as we make our way to being "land people" once again.
<br>
<br>Lynn on CYAN and Chuck, too.
<br>
<br>----------
<br>radio email processed by SailMail
<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-90578183511703028932012-11-30T10:02:00.000-08:002012-11-30T10:06:42.031-08:00Cyan in the AtlanticSo far the Atlantic is on the bottom of our list of ocean passages! We just passed halfway last night so we have about 1100 more miles to go before we reach Antigua, cross our earlier path and complete our circumnavigation.
<br>
<br>It hasn't been dangerous but has been a lot of work holding on and changing sail configurations and trying to sleep! We have had lots of "washing machine" mixed swell and waves from several directions. Until last night we had 20 knots usually unless we were going thru a weather cell and then all hell breaks lose!!! Actually, it's not as bad as thunderstorms...we just got old!! We should have clocked more than 120 miles a day going 6-7 knots but we are going way up and down and also zigzagging back and forth under the windvane in swooshy seas. The windvane has held the course awesomely! And another boat like our out here has had situations of the autopilot not holding the course so we really appreciate the Hydrovane.
<br>
<br>These first days haven't all been weary...we did have 3 very nice sailing days and the nights have been bright with incredible moonlight. I tried and could actually read my Kindle by it!!! I do use big print on the Kindle. Books, Podcasts, music and ipad games keep us busy until time to try and sleep.
<br>
<br>Now we are at 17 06 N, 44 15 W and have under 10 knots of wind in 3' seas [still jerky] so we are going walking speed, 3-4 knots or mph for the lubbers. Now, we find out that there is some weather system sucking all the wind into the Caribbean and it's gonna be "slow to NO" for who knows how long. All the other boats in our "net pod" stretched across the Atlantic, have had rain except us so we are nice and salty. One big breaker exploded right beside the boat when 3 12' crests seem to come together...that was exciting and left us salty. Shoulda heard me scream! We have had short waves...walls of water come upon us...up to 15' high and we slide down them like some sort of tilt-a-whirl. It has been exciting to watch us go up as they slip under us and 2-3 more are right behind them coming from different directions twisting the boat from side to side. This isn't as sloppy as rounding Sri Lanka but it's not something we wanna do for many days and nights. We think we may have left too early for the trade winds to get all "set in" but, if we weren't willing to gamble we wouldn't be here!
<br>
<br>We have not seen any other being for 1100 miles except flying fish [about 3 a day on deck] and seabirds. No fish yet and we have been trying. This is no shipping zone! Good thing we have our net of other voyagers to talk to and compare weather notes.
<br>
<br>At least today it's calm enough and we are having our thanksgiving dinner of baked chicken breast over seafood stuffing, baked yams, waldorf salad and Champaign! We are thankful for so much. We did have a little service from the prayer book on first sunday in Advent. It's is always an awesome and spiritual experience to be on an ocean passage. This adventure will make for a meaningful Christmas, if we make it by then!
<br>
<br>Thanks for the prayers and wishes of encouragement. It means a lot to know folks are thinking of us. There is a lot of time to reflect during passages, and things come into perspective. There is just nothing like it and even if this passage was our best, and not at the bottom, we would treasure it. It's something few get to experience. Life will never be the same.
<br>
<br>Lynn and Chuck on CYAN
<br>
<br>----------
<br>radio email processed by SailMail
<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-81944106361240896282012-07-11T04:20:00.001-07:002012-07-11T04:22:39.203-07:00Heading West in MedWe left Marina di Ragusa in Sicily later than most cruisers due to solving a corrupted fuel issue. We'd filled with some dreadful "biodiesel" in Turkey and ended up with "fuel snot" that clogged the filters. While the biocide was eating the bad stuff in the fuel tank we took 5 weeks and traveled around Great Britain during the rainest April on record. Still had a great time going counterclockwise from London up to Scotland and to Wales and Dartmoor and back. We spent 7 days in London. It was one of our very best trips and we plan to return as soon as we have saved enough money. It doesn't come cheap.<br />
<br />
So in June, after fixing up CYAN to cruise, we took off from Sicily saying goodbye with a tear to the grand time we had in Italy. We thought we would spend some time in Sardinia but we hate marinas and the anchorages are dreadful. They are open and rolly and I get cranky with bad sleep. So we took off for the Balearics hearing that the anchorages are better. When getting a Vodaphone usb key for net connection our credit card was compromised by the dealer [we hadn't used it anywhere else and within minutes over $1000 was charged] and we had to have some new ones sent to Spain, held for our arrival. It was caught immediately by our faithful account rep, Helene, at Merrill Lynch...bless her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG9fGCYN9dlu8XK8YBLGHhzZXtP4uC-6xzdkcEwuG2fAv__C2vW0w8hjGRDFxJggigko2VihsQWsStQWGFynYFfq3mz0WplVQcvB4Nogejpf1oAlTfyZWHWHSKq8elf_h7ZtBlEBdyJg/s1600/capt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG9fGCYN9dlu8XK8YBLGHhzZXtP4uC-6xzdkcEwuG2fAv__C2vW0w8hjGRDFxJggigko2VihsQWsStQWGFynYFfq3mz0WplVQcvB4Nogejpf1oAlTfyZWHWHSKq8elf_h7ZtBlEBdyJg/s320/capt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> It's often Clothing optional for the Captain!</i><br />
<br />
The Balearic Islands; Minorca, Mallorca and Ibiza, did have better anchorages but most were just filled with discos blaring until 5am, jetskiers, water skiers, and super yachts moving around way too fast. this makes it more rolly than the sea! We are not big fans of cruising in the Med even though we have enjoyed seeing the European locations with their history and art but at great expense....more than the USA now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05Dl9JEl6OS7dIAfmx1g_J2KAZO0h5EO9yAzxD0lcGbaaQnGKshvTh0_fQ60v-JYtM1rMJJfOxqgKot45KQN2SKAnae8VErXmjymz-6Fo1VB7R1XA-XIUna1TXc6SGPEg6bcJqlNlhg0/s1600/cleardip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05Dl9JEl6OS7dIAfmx1g_J2KAZO0h5EO9yAzxD0lcGbaaQnGKshvTh0_fQ60v-JYtM1rMJJfOxqgKot45KQN2SKAnae8VErXmjymz-6Fo1VB7R1XA-XIUna1TXc6SGPEg6bcJqlNlhg0/s320/cleardip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> Water is crystal clear</i><br />
<br />
We are in the south of Spain at present, waiting for a few miscellaneous parts and doing a great clean up. Here in Almerimar, they have blocks and blocks built huge condos that are unoccupied or unfinished and already going dirty and getting rundown with graffiti and fruit flies that are astounding. Remember the big Med Fly trauma years ago? Now we know why they worked so hard to keep them out. You have to cover your mouth to talk! In a few days we head to Gibraltar for a while and get to travel around Spain for a few weeks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_O6JGvDzXdjJ9HyYWWxnLAxfNkw1RYU-e5ZzyO1-wbQpZUpTVg0ticQ0p9cvxhLMMW8rX0wE39xwA7giVQlyo2YScJrEZrCxgcp7EAorBNg0lRt-GcTF2qScmObb6iux5_IprgrcHNk/s1600/rockancbal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_O6JGvDzXdjJ9HyYWWxnLAxfNkw1RYU-e5ZzyO1-wbQpZUpTVg0ticQ0p9cvxhLMMW8rX0wE39xwA7giVQlyo2YScJrEZrCxgcp7EAorBNg0lRt-GcTF2qScmObb6iux5_IprgrcHNk/s320/rockancbal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> Impressive rock cliff anchorage in Mallorca</i><br />
<br />
In about September we hope to be heading to Morocco and perhaps on to Senegal in Africa. Then it's the Canaries, Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic and in December we head home to Florida.<br />
<br />
Compared to our other locations and adventures our latest travels have been pretty routine so excuse our lack of enthusiasm. We do hear good things about Africa and we usually find third world countries to be more interesting and welcoming.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-51663797571995069262011-11-04T01:56:00.000-07:002011-11-04T01:56:21.968-07:00I just listened to this program from This American Life. It was presented earlier this year and you may have heard it. It will only be available for listening for about another week and then I think they start charging $1for back copies. It was fascinating and well worth the time to take a listen.<br />
<br />
The subject this The History of Money<br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://audio.thisamericanlife.org/widget/widget.min.js" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<br />
<div class="this-american-life" id="this-american-life-423" style="width: 540px;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-75003032888629137152011-09-15T01:59:00.000-07:002011-09-15T05:04:54.217-07:00Here are photos from our travels around Croatia that just briefly touch on the beauty of this wonderful country. We really loved it there. We were most impressed with the fact that it has remained so civilized for so long...since early man... and was not as damaged by the dark ages. It has also remained seriously Christian since the first century followers. The scenery is just beautiful each place we looked: from the country villages, to the mountains, to the ancient fairy-tale like cities. We enjoyed ancient Roman ruins, Palaces, Castles, Monasteries, still working aqueducts from Roman times, nature walks, and even Hospital visits when I broke my wrist. But the Doctors don't look as yummy as the Croatian doctor on ER did! We just couldn't show everything here on the BLOG!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqZQcBlGNjspQn-Mhg40D6I_KtEoXUwmPghFoM68rCsHAmKaHxbc2wpYNXScQDVUs-HT7iXtShq_Z2RI_7faH7vnuqOb7PLz_8zrYP6wnZ6EYfCb6ngImLBS7r68-Hf58rr1d1IMIg8Q/s1600/dwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="272" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqZQcBlGNjspQn-Mhg40D6I_KtEoXUwmPghFoM68rCsHAmKaHxbc2wpYNXScQDVUs-HT7iXtShq_Z2RI_7faH7vnuqOb7PLz_8zrYP6wnZ6EYfCb6ngImLBS7r68-Hf58rr1d1IMIg8Q/s400/dwall.jpg" /></a></div>
Wall around Dubrovnik
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQZWmhmOlA4YFpZHaCxGSi16CEsY1v8o7yO25ocNirpX-JpkoWrgy2le9uudtLoPDwu-HzZ-e6ene0MH3wQStq2-ZLV6hNvkWXmkaK8hS9hZwLQIeNvA4zHwNKGwHBZvYISkduKLfsZ8/s1600/dspout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQZWmhmOlA4YFpZHaCxGSi16CEsY1v8o7yO25ocNirpX-JpkoWrgy2le9uudtLoPDwu-HzZ-e6ene0MH3wQStq2-ZLV6hNvkWXmkaK8hS9hZwLQIeNvA4zHwNKGwHBZvYISkduKLfsZ8/s400/dspout.jpg" /></a></div>
Architectural accent on building in old Dubrovnik
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGh0X-0SvnF6H9QeXpFUgVuQM-J1aVuYC9MgV8ouCFv4iJySohBWcurGFed3wbS8Wb7RccDGzOGQWZCX8GvIK5Esr2YE3BFYTptjbl7mofLegO8NeTrmLzB949Ea2jEh5UOEY5s78ZJ4/s1600/cch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGh0X-0SvnF6H9QeXpFUgVuQM-J1aVuYC9MgV8ouCFv4iJySohBWcurGFed3wbS8Wb7RccDGzOGQWZCX8GvIK5Esr2YE3BFYTptjbl7mofLegO8NeTrmLzB949Ea2jEh5UOEY5s78ZJ4/s400/cch.jpg" /></a></div>
Rugged coastline
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ-ZzbDdiZf-PLMshF-GDp1di1iTaPv-uU03HpLkp3l3QS0Oq0Sk3EJw0h6_0yc7h5bBraAS4hZdW0Cizocw9WuD5dylktXIv-ZnP2wzp4om_trqtcOoI9jVwE6KKiVSzD-ZqCUFyJeA/s1600/cview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ-ZzbDdiZf-PLMshF-GDp1di1iTaPv-uU03HpLkp3l3QS0Oq0Sk3EJw0h6_0yc7h5bBraAS4hZdW0Cizocw9WuD5dylktXIv-ZnP2wzp4om_trqtcOoI9jVwE6KKiVSzD-ZqCUFyJeA/s400/cview.jpg" /></a></div>
View at our anchorage while going between islands
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw_4RD8MJzW4KrjREXJ7Syu7E3-l4CfNyGvIAqqfzL6uEXI3CcBXGgAs5-fD7MD07Z1EIK2On_rbWvYSVeMntIF0mmsm9RvrG5CUdT-7j2TTetXi6EEvJMWWkk-1GHIi2XJSurmmfhxE/s1600/kstpeters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw_4RD8MJzW4KrjREXJ7Syu7E3-l4CfNyGvIAqqfzL6uEXI3CcBXGgAs5-fD7MD07Z1EIK2On_rbWvYSVeMntIF0mmsm9RvrG5CUdT-7j2TTetXi6EEvJMWWkk-1GHIi2XJSurmmfhxE/s400/kstpeters.jpg" /></a></div>
Church near Marco Polo's House in Korcula
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX6-Gkb2dtUTN4OXCncAtCkPfFizTD1Dmeq4DNxdTXatUb9RqNO5Xmeny8fQsVqDrLapflaEh9DKMs8uGdx-Z5yNvAkXi0ca3l7302Gc010CATTGLekb4yFaQSnNmNBCcIZ0qcESVx1k/s1600/klocals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX6-Gkb2dtUTN4OXCncAtCkPfFizTD1Dmeq4DNxdTXatUb9RqNO5Xmeny8fQsVqDrLapflaEh9DKMs8uGdx-Z5yNvAkXi0ca3l7302Gc010CATTGLekb4yFaQSnNmNBCcIZ0qcESVx1k/s400/klocals.jpg" /></a></div>
Local craft in Korcula
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4jzxsGS_j7CTokIzGNh_HC4Kw8mx49j-6e8OZwIH0i0M1a20ul-bE39kyRTM_dJcYUbPLDlOXRNxHes0mA1PVRFxf-ocZEbLePWUAexMfvVWZcDI0FioJhcw5xFlv0hNs5o9xrK-_Hk/s1600/flow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4jzxsGS_j7CTokIzGNh_HC4Kw8mx49j-6e8OZwIH0i0M1a20ul-bE39kyRTM_dJcYUbPLDlOXRNxHes0mA1PVRFxf-ocZEbLePWUAexMfvVWZcDI0FioJhcw5xFlv0hNs5o9xrK-_Hk/s400/flow1.jpg" /></a></div>
Lynn enjoys the flowers at a local market in Trogir
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxyxEr87V_Y-Kb1eDlI7ya2KrgkXBGf8fKNUCLfQkcMRJ7ts0ELIl4SP1P0qQArN60rDzpaXUIrVCpRdeDN3WbttsEp8yVT8zTbYnBomKm77XuJCv4DBV68Y3pSZd8Jyxdpf9dbhUFhI/s1600/scyan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxyxEr87V_Y-Kb1eDlI7ya2KrgkXBGf8fKNUCLfQkcMRJ7ts0ELIl4SP1P0qQArN60rDzpaXUIrVCpRdeDN3WbttsEp8yVT8zTbYnBomKm77XuJCv4DBV68Y3pSZd8Jyxdpf9dbhUFhI/s400/scyan.jpg" /></a></div>
CYAN at anchor at a small village of Luka on the Island of Sipan
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkC25LjjjCoEWHeTTOW1uNq2Ajxj1qXsI-0zhUxF-VDC5pRkGvVpU4qNLflqm051VmQjeUjtXcQ24gtrpt2s6Cu4C2UPo_Pe16oVdsqu8_4cEWWdYVc-NPuO_EQ4mNtGbBSwgLbQwza0/s1600/mmones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkC25LjjjCoEWHeTTOW1uNq2Ajxj1qXsI-0zhUxF-VDC5pRkGvVpU4qNLflqm051VmQjeUjtXcQ24gtrpt2s6Cu4C2UPo_Pe16oVdsqu8_4cEWWdYVc-NPuO_EQ4mNtGbBSwgLbQwza0/s400/mmones.jpg" /></a></div>
Monestery from 12th century on Mljet, pronounced miliet
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjX093r-lh3e2ME7JXJEAhejVd7Zsxe6QcNRhZaxbs4kZG4GIFKcU6kpgWfXTFBh4a8946wwH6zoEIP3nItUH-MoSpq-n7dItVsOYmBNLqs2hWochdCi8gmO_3MysfhLVJkvYwa50R98/s1600/mancjpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjX093r-lh3e2ME7JXJEAhejVd7Zsxe6QcNRhZaxbs4kZG4GIFKcU6kpgWfXTFBh4a8946wwH6zoEIP3nItUH-MoSpq-n7dItVsOYmBNLqs2hWochdCi8gmO_3MysfhLVJkvYwa50R98/s400/mancjpg" /></a></div>
At anchor in National Park Island of Mljet
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu3JYRmY-uVxnh6-Mlb1_nc9w083Qz18Y1YG4WgCQc_fUcqH3aoQkHMULG-9DcvwLNQFz7dgLLGLQGG45XV9PlfIlNQ6A8s4IPSpydBKetyLeSt_sVfCUl2D_YPBQuMkZE3dcxVNirWE/s1600/kwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu3JYRmY-uVxnh6-Mlb1_nc9w083Qz18Y1YG4WgCQc_fUcqH3aoQkHMULG-9DcvwLNQFz7dgLLGLQGG45XV9PlfIlNQ6A8s4IPSpydBKetyLeSt_sVfCUl2D_YPBQuMkZE3dcxVNirWE/s400/kwall.jpg" /></a></div>
Medieval wall along some city
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97Btb-FiA9Myl_Bon_-vnzHjxPi1z_a1aMOCEsF80LYLJf6F3cSnrwej41p0dh_WytmjpjsFfxMClyK_tsFr6lNjJFOnZIqDPOiUpVYiOfL16tqor4USrZTgNmDjrnngRw1V-7tbZYZY/s1600/trogroof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97Btb-FiA9Myl_Bon_-vnzHjxPi1z_a1aMOCEsF80LYLJf6F3cSnrwej41p0dh_WytmjpjsFfxMClyK_tsFr6lNjJFOnZIqDPOiUpVYiOfL16tqor4USrZTgNmDjrnngRw1V-7tbZYZY/s400/trogroof.jpg" /></a></div>
Trogir rooftops withCYAN in distance
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM_3VOUttu2tBWluVXuZ7kV9hi3uoclZRaCgyJyY5N1ixQPP7B6W3OmQTR9cGqJ0FJRykDKCUwU4JeNCFwTkEbmQtqBcsfzpuS0xl9wY91iHBqi4iW0gpzaK7eqQTowHMJ8UoQwD85ME/s1600/trogstores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM_3VOUttu2tBWluVXuZ7kV9hi3uoclZRaCgyJyY5N1ixQPP7B6W3OmQTR9cGqJ0FJRykDKCUwU4JeNCFwTkEbmQtqBcsfzpuS0xl9wY91iHBqi4iW0gpzaK7eqQTowHMJ8UoQwD85ME/s400/trogstores.jpg" /></a></div>
Trogir storefronts
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGY6yhp0R65QduB_3SfG3gVYsaJ7tsTVw8HdQFu9eu1TsDo-zzR4_NGf0j9A3H4CP_Q3eB7glh_ncjNHUcJ7p_3Dxri2TWeC7kD-M9pqlzHEYp7zuVuIVzQJv3QM6lwyTGT7XtTNcgEM/s1600/trogcy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGY6yhp0R65QduB_3SfG3gVYsaJ7tsTVw8HdQFu9eu1TsDo-zzR4_NGf0j9A3H4CP_Q3eB7glh_ncjNHUcJ7p_3Dxri2TWeC7kD-M9pqlzHEYp7zuVuIVzQJv3QM6lwyTGT7XtTNcgEM/s400/trogcy.jpg" /></a></div>
Trogir courtyard
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-84090797972585568562011-07-17T07:43:00.000-07:002011-07-17T08:42:08.897-07:00Exploring Knidos, Turkey<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz8WhqqpQWazv7duv2JI3GgnoDp6mz2Iy20S4xdm2BJpmKzdWk_IJLd9ChRYQUriOSSD54EL9zILDSMt15SbgVZD0X-UVZywozQD4aVHe1Tfq5LOakmzTHG0q76Axbo7wc1YLrSMAGVQ/s1600/sign.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz8WhqqpQWazv7duv2JI3GgnoDp6mz2Iy20S4xdm2BJpmKzdWk_IJLd9ChRYQUriOSSD54EL9zILDSMt15SbgVZD0X-UVZywozQD4aVHe1Tfq5LOakmzTHG0q76Axbo7wc1YLrSMAGVQ/s400/sign.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630333916226454274" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >What fun to pretend we are archeologists and try to see ancient buildings in big piles of block and wonderfully carved marble. That’s what the old port city of Knidos in Turkey is today.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></div><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYEqe02ZqKoXCQwtlhyphenhyphenxn9HoXQ0UDseCXWCdFOqz85cuufDvmAP51SydcExzPdVv58nJEIc8TrhR5mg2e9wcq_J4VnvB_8fiI2qme5Mvu4ZGqewdR5mEMLXysZZRBqpcF942Bp8cnGw8/s400/view.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630334528792899954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Looking through the theater across the stoa or market</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></p><div><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTgHyX7OkeR5HtbvLcelmHmwGZaiKDcGCBJNlMPX6-jDEvfRsKuWsCGuEiABzBRgLSBpLXshAN4Tp6-WGrCA-HHdRv4l1Mrt4qKYQ8AZWB8AvhsCEXeus555Je5GqcghZqEpUrZ0MskI/s1600/chard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTgHyX7OkeR5HtbvLcelmHmwGZaiKDcGCBJNlMPX6-jDEvfRsKuWsCGuEiABzBRgLSBpLXshAN4Tp6-WGrCA-HHdRv4l1Mrt4qKYQ8AZWB8AvhsCEXeus555Je5GqcghZqEpUrZ0MskI/s320/chard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630335668501350978" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center; "><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyocjdtUiRoi363F7KDegrj3y_8ys9iGnih65s-RwE504um4i8UgytHOerPjTsepqg1he90Hx2TUr3EsyM1oqku6OAMljGtNRncYaJJ7pnI2IRVpUSNlfetvFxV8DwtgAIrOuLBAq8nwk/s320/church.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630336491000332610" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz8WhqqpQWazv7duv2JI3GgnoDp6mz2Iy20S4xdm2BJpmKzdWk_IJLd9ChRYQUriOSSD54EL9zILDSMt15SbgVZD0X-UVZywozQD4aVHe1Tfq5LOakmzTHG0q76Axbo7wc1YLrSMAGVQ/s1600/sign.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz8WhqqpQWazv7duv2JI3GgnoDp6mz2Iy20S4xdm2BJpmKzdWk_IJLd9ChRYQUriOSSD54EL9zILDSMt15SbgVZD0X-UVZywozQD4aVHe1Tfq5LOakmzTHG0q76Axbo7wc1YLrSMAGVQ/s1600/sign.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></div><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Here below is the fallen church facing east and curved on that end with a baptismal well.</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">On the left is me holding a carved shard of pottery, of course!</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >From 400 BC to 1000 or so AD it was a prosperous port and educational center in the Carian Empire exporting all kinds of products around the Med and famous for it’s builders and educators. One was the builder of the lighthouse in Alexandria; Sostratus, quite famous. Another, Praxiteles sculpted the statue “Aphrodite of Cnidus” there and it was said to be so enticing that it had to be covered to keep men in line! It was the first life-sized female nude statue.</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></span></p> <p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="s1"></span><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVta2wg1Lhhgt9xexSvTsJuBXj_9UdpUoMdW5gZ3C7_S7YsbZU5ZNWKG1wFtzpftK-i55eal94PrI-sq6SkQe2JrZWEW82WqD-HbSCcdyfLMiJr__p5_3ZEnflIqGmnGVc86RzIPvVXBY/s320/temple.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630337119762697042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1" >This city was even known as a medical center. As yet very little has been done to excavate the damage of time, war and earthquakes. This made walking all around the site even more intriguing. We could try to imagine how the buildings were used by ancient civilizations. It was quite a large city covering hills on both sides of the isthmus where it was filled between two islands to form two harbors: one for defense and one for trade. Knidos was rediscovered from rubble in 1812 but not even sorted for over 100 years. Some university in Russia is working on it now.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihczwSboczuMogj6Zhgcfsvt63ST3Ev-pQ6_k5Le2kut0eVlbOtPjW_GCm5wQ7W7dpjvVlsmziJ9qgUbRL8v08YrMl-t3ZEyOz-Ocpf9FQLyLBeV0qpDSOaQI1CMHM-jvKYbAhSeWhbWM/s400/steps.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630342555835071618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8">The main street of marble steps going up the hill</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">
<br /></span></p><p class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7Gm4cp9NVQ0lGLAuSH4S_km0w-EK6owyC3dcxoDQIXOtSYjOEbwpuZ5Zg_wGWbzoHHabKTlPrg-I0OpYDgHXt5h15C1tBGfmBnj-1cpnloUc41a3Rb7SYulp3_BT7JAclqTWLyxXBB8/s400/column.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630337630191221906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px; " /></span></span></p> <p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Just part of a column laying right at the waters edge</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; " >Today there are just cruise boats and a restaurant and you can see CYAN there among them. We took long walks in the morning and got lots of exercise before taking off for the next stop.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">
<br /></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4WYjqhKAkcsIUPVaj4nZ29a3jeNk25fVC3qiq5VcZY9hQ_iFcWDSTxeXWqGFknwiH8w3Ov2P07BNLygy8Cbm0VKVCd5zXd_xtnaaQPdqDWtmKr3X_0pxHq8kv3atEbxg98Z0uYCka6I/s400/cove.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630332834282492578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">CYAN is just to the right of the catamaran in the center.</span></p><p class="p1"> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <title></title> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"> <meta name="CocoaVersion" content="1038.35"> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #0b22a2} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} span.s1 {letter-spacing: 0.0px} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px} </style> </p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Info on: </span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knidos"><span class="Apple-style-span">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knidos</span></a></span></p> <p class="p3" style="font-size: small; "><span class="s1"></span>
<br /></p> <p class="p4" style="text-align: center; "><span class="s1"><b>Here is the “loud ass” that woke us up!!!</b></span></p><p></p><p class="p5"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGPR1_9DL0V_2C8973IgvCbvjHy_liG56dQAHGWKFLBIJDrtdgXOCcGQecD8zVWAg61j9ZVUuqlEBH0BFjysKuEtC2BcJGYVQ7ABrAnYOvDRpHpoa460WSwGuzWa_QIM5qIYAtBuOVWU/s400/ass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630332416011148642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></p><div><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-68731363977153941502011-07-11T23:13:00.000-07:002011-07-12T00:14:34.892-07:00Istanbul<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KKJQQFa3FsTKnTbRimzrbSAY_CsbSeKjsG0e8qjDLwmx5LqqOJ1zNhSBo_AK-LB-CwtweVHYQ6MpEH9BDMil-2RWckWQGDFa56rKIEytxiy33OGbZ5W2oxpeEdwm5eE3PUCvsh1KcEg/s1600/istan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KKJQQFa3FsTKnTbRimzrbSAY_CsbSeKjsG0e8qjDLwmx5LqqOJ1zNhSBo_AK-LB-CwtweVHYQ6MpEH9BDMil-2RWckWQGDFa56rKIEytxiy33OGbZ5W2oxpeEdwm5eE3PUCvsh1KcEg/s400/istan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628352908499322802" /></a><div> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} span.s1 {letter-spacing: 0.0px} </style> <p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1" ><b>Istanbul Skyline</b></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">
<br /></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">While CYAN was docked in Finike...we had paid for a months dockage to have some work done ...we flew to Istanbul for a few days. That’s all it takes to see the main attractions there but they are</span> interesting and exotic. </p><p class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwJUWEyAMYfB4hK95EH1amFqXRWqSP8sAujCQrvOIEvRJDifYP7xhVpW0wrbXEFHlF4udRyH1e4sJRIYKJMz4i9I9trOnrE0WqajDmDETyogbyrXueD56jQ2EUt1bl4kz2-4rDAjC1lU/s320/hs3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628351211380935810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKENSUm-dTDdWrhnZnJqyaQTuvumNOaBuCtmJmtipXRdUpe3d68ruT9yxoQ0A79OrsIDgbaWJHRf20m74MCAQyvJEDPBH2pauCT_tkTG6JFPtQTyPnnCOpGn4R6n3rApFAZHDppd9HoMY/s320/hs1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628351956872685986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Hagia Sophia</b></span></p><p class="p1">The architecture of the Hagia Sophia was so remarkable for it’s early age and it has made it through the ages so well considering the fact that it was turned into a mosque and then into a museum. We have included a photo the icon of Christ that is in so many art books. It was inspiring to see this artwork in it’s element and to so many others like it in detail.</p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_sCigWb0neRQ6ldXl7NNOJuGqrZ-hTVkOnYaMkh3qL78aTlxtdKTaLACEJwNjNsAWlIhNmrAvJ-emyw2tf2Wxri_xLUQPcrYTWNFDHCVhjKcEKYrB2ig79U2_XWgl7wsjWl9pA_Mqzc/s320/mos.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628351697156299778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></p><p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Icon of Christ</b></span></p><p class="p2">
<br /></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">We visited the Topkapi Palace. This huge Ottoman palace is where hundreds of wives and concubines were housed for 400 years and the most you could say is that it’s really big and very over done with not much architectural significance or consistency that I could see. There is some culture and history and the gardens were nice. The middle-easterners really get into rugs and pillows and tiles all in a vast number of contrasting des</span>igns and colors. There were huge numbers of jewel encrusted weapons and decorative items on display that we had to wait in lines to see....then wondered why! Sort of overwhelming!</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_tr0cjOq73bwUD3MnazOLCTgmdrYZ-08NtlFtjEwxND-4QFDw8s5i0jfdGB7WzPsoA_ELnKCkxerOapSpEFwqA77KY1yf5TTLF1pLQSqqDx7ovdW6sWTuZlCzBZuGcYDEuLjVU8SlAs/s320/toptiles.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628352583180387970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p> <p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><span class="s1"></span>Tiles at Topkapi Palace</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
<br /></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">We saw the gigantic Blue Mosque that the residents all want to make sure you see but we were not as impressed with it as we were the Hagia Sopia. No one says “you must see the Hagia Sophia” because it was originally built as a church...they all want you to see the Blue Mosque. It is just big and blocky and almost trying to </span>outdo the Hagia Sophia. It was built almost 1000 years later. It has thousands of textured tiles stuck all over it instead of icons and levels but they make for a beautiful interior view.</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIkv6B5aqtmK2CZNS8r9YnWmGFzkq5yEqhOGDMBmU45s-pzWLwfu-CQSxptAzNS_cWLtU8zDlvXh95GIEAxyGC2z_JIcTs57isC2zJZg5CyARN6CS3XYRVHEmGNNwMry9UuGLHWunsXM/s320/nm2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628348439317136786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " ><b>Exterior of Blus Mosque</b></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38Bi3wVU_SMB3SiynZ9cP2GHvuKTqPhiB3_WWSB-GnBm6EVuyQp4utL-Ldd2Ecj6dc-tnWASsC0V8ixLwjn7SjWyvEVIsxZeKsw22k1FyGlyl6NUVfevupj1yKgQJvLtFqnZttIqntZ0/s320/bm1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628347508109723554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Interior of Blue Mosque</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">On another note...the tile murals in the public transportation stations areas were just amazing. Turkey has some great new artists coming along today. I was very entertained as a modest ceramic worker myself, to see them all over Istanbul and loved them all.</span></p><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><p class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">We also might mention that the food in Turkey is really some of our favorite. We have especially liked the food since coming to the middle east and it’s been quite a surprise.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz35vMG3qJWdl3S_qdT2UILxjb1rdc-CNvGpBU2Brh5TjqH_0nvNrs-81XK5zuSL7iAaNjpD-rVuj3HB39wjEpWwluwWp9Qeq86iiscsU4gTClOGzgfJaT-e-JmZ7olFcw8iqd6ARkUAU/s320/gbaz.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628349036639503602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p> <p class="p2" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><span class="s1"></span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8">Grand Bazaar</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="text-align: left;">The Grand Bazaar was grand but there were no bargains to be found at all. the vendors were very polite and friendly though.</p><p class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">We made a special effort to visit a Church, turned mosque, turned museum in north Istanbul called Chora Church known for out standing ancient frescos and mosaic icons dating 1300's and the foundation of the building from 600AD when it was a monastery. We really liked the curious design and were impressed at the quality of the work...inspirational!</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW1-rs4bjE34u49UOoXvFX3we1Ijcec1UFXY0JT_cKybw25tlAxSiC64xj_bxpCeV8U-CYgo8XVCBy8pgnn9u22Z-7WD5PUlSqNNI-i66KonkCSNwkxq9GvH_i9YlAIie4Z0I-44nJus/s320/cc1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628349691066143682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p><div><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7iKHpu58n2CCc8OZAI_1OaMidItG0mnL9fTNkYqlzGJOQ0xnwB4j1GeadcuQoYdoX31vnCOveiwGJzx0uaKunxy4TXidVIAwOKkhobWgBrAJfl_kEmThiMCfZ2pDydXFyhuEnQdpJEU/s320/cc2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628350923536963330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1" ><b>Chora Church</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><b>
<br /></b></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">As much as we liked Istanbul, it just doesn’t compare to the wonderful coastal towns. The people and the villages and the markets with their fresh veggies are making Turkey such a joy and now we can see why some of our cruiser friends have been raving about it here and we have made a special effort to get here.</span></p><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrue5BJ_OqSbyDsaQY1sPrBDxbphlyFhvD7KOJGkVvNFn39xQS3dGhfkz4bFHKrQ_A3Jomkrk2TOvNQgyygniWWw-hTSNhm3osbV-QUCGbT6AI2acDxjkzmxGLFBd8o9WGwPuzzA_pgg/s320/topus.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628346230573916322" /><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>We are at Topkapi Gardens overlooking the Bosphorus, </b></span></p><p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>the body of water connecting the Black Sea to Sea of Maramara</b></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-71637052960389161242011-06-17T00:48:00.001-07:002011-06-17T01:38:02.694-07:00CYAN in Israel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybRTnV6gsPOf-HW5qmOUOe7JjnlkjN_tV47PViNYX7GpEBgBLK-7bkbnf30sPEVgIEcYHyZOimNwpd_FCobu0A7UBFXp_26JB0VOETjN2KluTvVuxb7k9CieHXdIbMDIFp7twUkxYOnI/s1600/walldome.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybRTnV6gsPOf-HW5qmOUOe7JjnlkjN_tV47PViNYX7GpEBgBLK-7bkbnf30sPEVgIEcYHyZOimNwpd_FCobu0A7UBFXp_26JB0VOETjN2KluTvVuxb7k9CieHXdIbMDIFp7twUkxYOnI/s320/walldome.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619097107400083090" /></a>Dome of the Rock where in days way back, Abraham is said to have been willing to sacrifice Issac. It is a Mosque...OF COURSE....and they are a bit fussy about letting anyone see inside.<br /><div><br /></div><div>We truly loved traveling around Israel and went to Jerusalem twice, there is so much to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>We hope these few pictures show what a great time we had. there is just so much history and archeology. It brings back old Bible stories and makes them come alive.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>For example our marina was In Ashkelon which is where Goliath, the giant that David slew with his sling, was from; the home of the Philostines. We visited Jaffa near Tel Aviv where Jonah boarded his ship for his "alleged encounter with the great fish". We saw Caesaria, built by Herod as a port and show place and where Paul was taken prisoner on a ship to Rome but escaped in a storm. We saw the beautiful Sea of Gallilee where so much of Jesus teaching took place. There was the whole of Jewish history in Jerusalem and the surrounding towns. We saw some of the Dead Sea Scrolls in a museum and later visited Qumron where they were discovered in a cave.</div><div><br /></div><div>We must especially mention seeing the actual burial tombs of Abraham, Sarah, Issac, Rebecca, Leah and others called the tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron. The documentation of the sale of this hill to Abraham where the tombs are is right in Genesis, we looked it up! Hebron is held by the Palestinians and security is tight. They only allow a small access to the ancient Temple there. </div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrJelNLLbKa44Zc98ABgq9a5cQuxO0HXOllaUkuQezE3AGOv4M5YmV9PRGwomIisHlEjwZ-W-LSxjKfCP_eqU2vUAUEyVbuADOyjfWJUy5N7AOZG0WpQslrYBlXC9iYrZ3ceZsl-oU2w/s1600/ussteps.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrJelNLLbKa44Zc98ABgq9a5cQuxO0HXOllaUkuQezE3AGOv4M5YmV9PRGwomIisHlEjwZ-W-LSxjKfCP_eqU2vUAUEyVbuADOyjfWJUy5N7AOZG0WpQslrYBlXC9iYrZ3ceZsl-oU2w/s320/ussteps.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619097100754456690" /></a>Steps in a dug up place in the jewish Quarter in jerusalem</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf_KFrKchmDsDC_9XFCmmug1ydOISka6FgEHxQar3Chb_sBFs5qPi5idN2xJLPFEHhKg2PQeHcI5B9lFWFZcz9sRi71j9jN7V8LUtjZ92G0IAXjSGINZOBSazUxK2M3x0Scxs3r0MYwc/s1600/stmarks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf_KFrKchmDsDC_9XFCmmug1ydOISka6FgEHxQar3Chb_sBFs5qPi5idN2xJLPFEHhKg2PQeHcI5B9lFWFZcz9sRi71j9jN7V8LUtjZ92G0IAXjSGINZOBSazUxK2M3x0Scxs3r0MYwc/s320/stmarks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619097099871098450" /></a>St marks in Jerusalem, the world's oldest christian Church with the Upper Room of the Last Supper in the basement...also pretty well documented.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmQls8FuW73GVZKYw85zIv-QOm0rd9r9LkLUH6RXeRybbyrtePRTZWZjh-YXGHiOWtY1ynylxkOO3cTi_cNGMZ5mfU6oHvzgAdscAZorf230Ys5L8pVEpBo3qzR4T7wTNwppZRdDnLh4/s1600/sq.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmQls8FuW73GVZKYw85zIv-QOm0rd9r9LkLUH6RXeRybbyrtePRTZWZjh-YXGHiOWtY1ynylxkOO3cTi_cNGMZ5mfU6oHvzgAdscAZorf230Ys5L8pVEpBo3qzR4T7wTNwppZRdDnLh4/s320/sq.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619096580357321330" /></a>Park in the Jewish Quarter...all of Israel is so much greener than we expected....and lush.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_xvBzm5A7KCHHRpXdFDbxQoNcOhWC-MUSjT5HwZ6WkgLTec7I-4sIwMbZq3WiXVklIHHjQIw6bwkUQe0dqgvpbmeSMzliYUHI6U3n2cJekfs7XeeMMLyZbwPpz0aIAUKyKjTaga9yf0/s1600/shps.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_xvBzm5A7KCHHRpXdFDbxQoNcOhWC-MUSjT5HwZ6WkgLTec7I-4sIwMbZq3WiXVklIHHjQIw6bwkUQe0dqgvpbmeSMzliYUHI6U3n2cJekfs7XeeMMLyZbwPpz0aIAUKyKjTaga9yf0/s320/shps.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619096575795683250" /></a>Muslim market where the best buys and cheapest food was in Jerusalem.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrENe1i5L_wommaJdmp2WJjs7vlAG-OntORtWg1103y9_hMiTuIgDriB7ZykkIBRqBN-wrLKrsa3XLyUe_k_ZOdU4ZOVMkl2-6LKsjdgoZH1NJH7VGOZLoT2HwSkmgqFRDGfnbtBx-yw/s1600/prayers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrENe1i5L_wommaJdmp2WJjs7vlAG-OntORtWg1103y9_hMiTuIgDriB7ZykkIBRqBN-wrLKrsa3XLyUe_k_ZOdU4ZOVMkl2-6LKsjdgoZH1NJH7VGOZLoT2HwSkmgqFRDGfnbtBx-yw/s320/prayers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619096571840746034" /></a>Notes of prayer requests left in the Western Wall of the ancient remains of the original Temple in Jerusalem.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2YrzTYbDz_U1jFd3QYWFZdEplM7zLTLY0hB3NrueA240afusQ-lcj_uOEB4adaO769PENPPG3Z9LsKNfI_GwAhq7djbZi8gGjiHPAUCMntXXOCVGmpyJETlozxlb7cXRLoX8xY6pAcw/s1600/pilg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2YrzTYbDz_U1jFd3QYWFZdEplM7zLTLY0hB3NrueA240afusQ-lcj_uOEB4adaO769PENPPG3Z9LsKNfI_GwAhq7djbZi8gGjiHPAUCMntXXOCVGmpyJETlozxlb7cXRLoX8xY6pAcw/s320/pilg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619096561995218194" /></a>Life in Jerusalem showing some of the Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw7BZCvGMv9nkg-tmGvEooV1dnXnIc7694gcIXplU4aJNv8Kr0LreW5Ggmop2zGAdTWnaCQXc-aolP0SPGhLWaOJXEI_p6W2HVNA3KxcqSf5fsuWC7e1fdJgm34HhDU3ip6t6ccUKDqc/s1600/nr+castle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw7BZCvGMv9nkg-tmGvEooV1dnXnIc7694gcIXplU4aJNv8Kr0LreW5Ggmop2zGAdTWnaCQXc-aolP0SPGhLWaOJXEI_p6W2HVNA3KxcqSf5fsuWC7e1fdJgm34HhDU3ip6t6ccUKDqc/s320/nr+castle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619096560060005522" /></a>Crusader Castle from the early Middle Ages in Northern Israel<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7mRYAG0VBCf274SJGT37BnGLFPqmNYQl_Ke_EXN-m3FIcFCFUySsQeubXO2abZLDzIR-DnmJyKj9Jv0wgzpSGzAmXUyJUik8FTa9bkFYlAbU_7p2G6O-ktDgd0wQe2m0Yr1_FuCT0a4/s1600/heat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7mRYAG0VBCf274SJGT37BnGLFPqmNYQl_Ke_EXN-m3FIcFCFUySsQeubXO2abZLDzIR-DnmJyKj9Jv0wgzpSGzAmXUyJUik8FTa9bkFYlAbU_7p2G6O-ktDgd0wQe2m0Yr1_FuCT0a4/s320/heat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619093162239548962" /></a>Chuck is impressed by "Dollies" with guns!!! We were in the ancient City of David right by Jerusalem and was there before the Temple was built by Solomon his son.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCwRcCyHGrpYAGroSWG2iReexNZE5xCyRJaYlD8gSEhm552KqL2GDeqCdYzRb0DpZzCmAE5OLiI_Dh1lSiwkfeUOI8f6cnnQwAnaoG4Ocp9-nT_U1GILw2HeijdDWjbrNKV6eeAvht90/s1600/dome.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCwRcCyHGrpYAGroSWG2iReexNZE5xCyRJaYlD8gSEhm552KqL2GDeqCdYzRb0DpZzCmAE5OLiI_Dh1lSiwkfeUOI8f6cnnQwAnaoG4Ocp9-nT_U1GILw2HeijdDWjbrNKV6eeAvht90/s320/dome.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619093156342804946" /></a>Dome of Church of the Holy Sepluchre on the location where the crucifixion took place but it's doubtable...still well decorated and way old!!! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcOiYeoD7jqAyb1J1iuLPdc6MShN1UV1D4dbSraaRllJw1WKeEwj1IaN0Zaj9BYc-ryw43XPx4UnVhWnZETysCiji3ehBECFG2kxPXP39CA8OCh9I6r6HekXMgZ13KiprZfdYsjRTzn4/s1600/corner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcOiYeoD7jqAyb1J1iuLPdc6MShN1UV1D4dbSraaRllJw1WKeEwj1IaN0Zaj9BYc-ryw43XPx4UnVhWnZETysCiji3ehBECFG2kxPXP39CA8OCh9I6r6HekXMgZ13KiprZfdYsjRTzn4/s320/corner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619093149332312066" /></a>Some of the Walls in Jerusalem</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7DzFVNJMLFJj9lu8L8sFgv-BZVpY4Px6EeJkRCl4Ik8jEJwGmtfx2BHWoHM_YA6i2fwVtTEMWCcyQZl0gG_MS00nQyqikaTz1ACC8n0RSAQgHofNXQAegXLNkUXRpq8EkjENaIv7Fdc/s1600/chs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7DzFVNJMLFJj9lu8L8sFgv-BZVpY4Px6EeJkRCl4Ik8jEJwGmtfx2BHWoHM_YA6i2fwVtTEMWCcyQZl0gG_MS00nQyqikaTz1ACC8n0RSAQgHofNXQAegXLNkUXRpq8EkjENaIv7Fdc/s320/chs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619093143919361890" /></a>Street in Jerusalem</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We are now in Turkey and will be adding pages soon.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-223727678008730902011-04-16T08:54:00.000-07:002011-04-20T08:14:32.343-07:00Touring Egypt<div><br /></div><div>While the boat was left in a marina on the Red Sea coast, in early April, we traveled from Hurghada, to Luxor, Egypt, by local bus for 5 grueling hours but only costing us $6 each. We plan to travel cheaply stay in very basic hotels so we can enjoy our future travels longer, especially in the Med and Europe where it's so expensive. We really began to enjoy the middle eastern food that was so cheap and well flavored with interesting spices.</div><div><br /></div><div>The main attractions to see in Luxor are: Luxor Temple. The Temple at Karnac and the Valley of the Kings, Queens and Nobles which is a series of tombs that are highly decorated to pay tribute to dozens or more Egyptian rulers. Here we found a vast amount of art and architecture to check out. These 2 "gigantically huge temples" are each about the size of athletic stadiums and meant for a fair amount of walking. I know that sounds redundant but I want to emphasize their size!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPiVq8aWT4wn_hMxKoTe8yYE54bX1VCy0zsiz3g74Hc1sD_h0_ucR1SyhT3mdMnFiPikVKUr8_mfB7-Rp7Oh-KQorsLni6tckqrkG8VMiW1X5wkyFpGNNM9YhTEf7Jd747wl35rbuy9Y/s1600/lux1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPiVq8aWT4wn_hMxKoTe8yYE54bX1VCy0zsiz3g74Hc1sD_h0_ucR1SyhT3mdMnFiPikVKUr8_mfB7-Rp7Oh-KQorsLni6tckqrkG8VMiW1X5wkyFpGNNM9YhTEf7Jd747wl35rbuy9Y/s320/lux1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596262907993680210" /></a>Luxor Temple entrance gatres<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYDI6tOZb0KgE2K8i6uVmv9OknjEU5BHBskwX8wGvMquK_X7bjRxf68G2HDSsO7TQavxqWzGi-5KdubuPzUZWcFawBG0cLynrE-jzGIpiDl-hK4uZMY2um0G3HMWlWSiqJXdEauOfmbE/s1600/lux2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYDI6tOZb0KgE2K8i6uVmv9OknjEU5BHBskwX8wGvMquK_X7bjRxf68G2HDSsO7TQavxqWzGi-5KdubuPzUZWcFawBG0cLynrE-jzGIpiDl-hK4uZMY2um0G3HMWlWSiqJXdEauOfmbE/s320/lux2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596262903415378194" /></a>Approach to the Temple at Karna collimate where 134 columns held up a rock ceiling </div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yUKX9azL-YnCTApH89OcmyFLFksuo-wYEYvjn6hsuxZlvJr0jp3nobuGze8f2q7h5a1Hsz4ekxzu01_I4dlF177fhhnyFEusBfh_TUP9QUkwd1KEPFqH8xRa5wSloNQmZMtU8_8CQf8/s1600/lux3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yUKX9azL-YnCTApH89OcmyFLFksuo-wYEYvjn6hsuxZlvJr0jp3nobuGze8f2q7h5a1Hsz4ekxzu01_I4dlF177fhhnyFEusBfh_TUP9QUkwd1KEPFqH8xRa5wSloNQmZMtU8_8CQf8/s320/lux3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596222055678510882" /></a>Karnac columns and carvings</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgXEe08vWUA44Iqvih2azPamgVzJi4B8VU7MtwIQpGsqzcOJCsyGNLk45vky1ke4QKoa-cJgtPfAkM36dVveDjP7txoM5LmMXnPr-jjqO8zWirybanhvPpf2Zhrg_3-M8LDoR29yPldY/s1600/lux4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgXEe08vWUA44Iqvih2azPamgVzJi4B8VU7MtwIQpGsqzcOJCsyGNLk45vky1ke4QKoa-cJgtPfAkM36dVveDjP7txoM5LmMXnPr-jjqO8zWirybanhvPpf2Zhrg_3-M8LDoR29yPldY/s320/lux4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596222042927026722" /></a>Decorated details that completely cover all columns and walls showing customs and traditions between gods and mortals and royals. Some of the original colored paint that was applied 3000+ years ago can often be seen. All the temples were almost completely covered by sand, inside and out when they were discovered at various times in the 1800's and early 1900's.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW1v250x8kM3M7HBodmrjz44-RMGFvFEOu2ruYFYsg1E-A38mgVU3gDyXSKFA8jZke2EiAYhBlXgktSf0jpycBO32clsrQifpY70JNDa6zmnwaPCur1rYGTydQnfWSj7ZwDXdSbkIypc/s1600/lux5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW1v250x8kM3M7HBodmrjz44-RMGFvFEOu2ruYFYsg1E-A38mgVU3gDyXSKFA8jZke2EiAYhBlXgktSf0jpycBO32clsrQifpY70JNDa6zmnwaPCur1rYGTydQnfWSj7ZwDXdSbkIypc/s320/lux5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596222038975441378" /></a>Ramses 11 at Luxor Temple. He just couldn't promote himself enough so he made himself a god!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpGeWiJgThl_ssYdcqBH67atkyZSr58ZaeXiMXbxYwx8ul1LZLqxPR_HI9B1YYZvX_Fb_Fj7vtTF19PdhuRO7YZV1gCW7y_cv-dUqdnUXrd_KrZqaQ7Sa9QXyfTPfClWpAqGzigC8AKQ/s1600/luxval.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpGeWiJgThl_ssYdcqBH67atkyZSr58ZaeXiMXbxYwx8ul1LZLqxPR_HI9B1YYZvX_Fb_Fj7vtTF19PdhuRO7YZV1gCW7y_cv-dUqdnUXrd_KrZqaQ7Sa9QXyfTPfClWpAqGzigC8AKQ/s320/luxval.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596222035194245458" /></a>Structure at the Valley of the Kings where mummies were prepared. Took 18 years to build and was used once!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8MnSNNOiYykgHK7TbZZMBkvdjR4VmP_VV1pnm9huSrUpnSd-9BbqFmFwTkRjHCx7DgZLawWwmfp4MESKYY1gVIOSFUYqzWc6BHnTuO9InkubKX-9oHqp3DRgmAeIwrk7RGc0CGTjzw8/s1600/horus.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8MnSNNOiYykgHK7TbZZMBkvdjR4VmP_VV1pnm9huSrUpnSd-9BbqFmFwTkRjHCx7DgZLawWwmfp4MESKYY1gVIOSFUYqzWc6BHnTuO9InkubKX-9oHqp3DRgmAeIwrk7RGc0CGTjzw8/s320/horus.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596222036830106242" /></a>Chuck inspects a statue of Horus at this god's Temple, south of Luxor on the Nile. He has the head of a hawk and often the body.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfWeK_K2k43OH6OZdfiQpZ2kLtZdnNdSPBGZrJAS2cDQxMkKvBJ6kgjuQKW6cAFCR0PodtA8xQEtIlaNpHql2nUymggIcOzPMVF_-EPjtRJylZT6qrlJxlURQaM11FF10KolaqH15wzc/s1600/fuluqa.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfWeK_K2k43OH6OZdfiQpZ2kLtZdnNdSPBGZrJAS2cDQxMkKvBJ6kgjuQKW6cAFCR0PodtA8xQEtIlaNpHql2nUymggIcOzPMVF_-EPjtRJylZT6qrlJxlURQaM11FF10KolaqH15wzc/s320/fuluqa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596213620271123138" /></a>On the Nile, a traditional fuluka sailing vessel passes an ancient village carved into a hillside.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TfbGGygd86NbqCIlgSczNUs6k0db5kszM-Dan6cb6gZ-sFvkjiFRGw93lidnkD0KpssrQBdbewBa1FkUcKCfcEidn1GdKZCAE0Ug9k4Za-NiBGOg3Qm8OBitBQUNYkT9imokc8uz6Hw/s1600/ankh.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TfbGGygd86NbqCIlgSczNUs6k0db5kszM-Dan6cb6gZ-sFvkjiFRGw93lidnkD0KpssrQBdbewBa1FkUcKCfcEidn1GdKZCAE0Ug9k4Za-NiBGOg3Qm8OBitBQUNYkT9imokc8uz6Hw/s320/ankh.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596213611241791474" /></a>We hold a door key to Nefertiri's temple at Abu Simbel, which is in the shape of an ankh. The ankh is very often portrayed in mural artwork and stands for good life, long life, eternity, whatever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Abu Simbel:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0URAs0GFzFPh1PrfPCkogpq-lBVXOz3SlnEJHL5H0exLQZwon3GU6kNZGAcQ6U5bkKsTMdhRj9BR6LoV_Pe4A4iBwdxNxlmGhb7ACb9Q3JCueXz44ym70NX1zfU6z-e9LzT-C-iZJ0T4/s1600/abusym1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0URAs0GFzFPh1PrfPCkogpq-lBVXOz3SlnEJHL5H0exLQZwon3GU6kNZGAcQ6U5bkKsTMdhRj9BR6LoV_Pe4A4iBwdxNxlmGhb7ACb9Q3JCueXz44ym70NX1zfU6z-e9LzT-C-iZJ0T4/s320/abusym1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596213609740883154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fX_og09spBSWIMuzZ6RI0YGIiBdz7yib9cAh1151LiDTWest9kFsErMclAHMHztT36yp-x5G1y39cVS0emeR1fXnIzGDdeszKlJpCjmQeokSUTJK5Pq2wSltBDz7LxSGyx4BeXLg4k8/s1600/abusym2mt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fX_og09spBSWIMuzZ6RI0YGIiBdz7yib9cAh1151LiDTWest9kFsErMclAHMHztT36yp-x5G1y39cVS0emeR1fXnIzGDdeszKlJpCjmQeokSUTJK5Pq2wSltBDz7LxSGyx4BeXLg4k8/s320/abusym2mt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596213605750404898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildZJj2tcwUMLmyIzdl8kY1zZJ4bqGMzoruOFoxIybstaFchJ9BROOGOu19dBS7SDALjJG9k8jfVjppnFbx_tVPaHb4TZyNdQribphEyTbL4vRXd7IT_5oVw9iFQcIB62SHobpIR_3AAg/s1600/abusym3ram.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildZJj2tcwUMLmyIzdl8kY1zZJ4bqGMzoruOFoxIybstaFchJ9BROOGOu19dBS7SDALjJG9k8jfVjppnFbx_tVPaHb4TZyNdQribphEyTbL4vRXd7IT_5oVw9iFQcIB62SHobpIR_3AAg/s320/abusym3ram.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596213600647568658" /></a>From Luxor we traveled 4 more hours further south to Aswan. The photos above are from Abu Simbel which is a complex of structures south of Aswan and almost to Sudan on the Nile. We stopped at 2 other temple locations on our way down by hired car...a real luxury compared to the bus!<div>Aswan and the Abu Simbil visit was the highlight of our trip and it was challenging to go there. We got up at 3 am to take the additional 4 hour bus ride to the location and arrive at 8am before the impressive heat begins. You gotta really want to go to this place! These 2 hollowed out mountains are fronted with sculpted facades and they have elaborately decorated temples inside. </div><div><br /></div><div>What is really amazing is that, in the 1960's, UNESCO completely disassembled them and rebuilt them 20 stories higher on a cliff because a giant dam was being built to control the Nile flooding. These temples were originally built to commemorate Ramses11 and his favorite wife, Nefertiri, as they were becoming gods, according to the decree of Ramses11 himself. The mountain structures were cut into refrigerator sized, or larger, blocks, then reassembled and patched so well that they show almost no sign of damage. We were really impressed by their original splendor and the amazing feat of moving them.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Later, while still in Aswan, we visited the Botanical Gardens and the Nubian Museum before returning to the boat and to prepare to go through the Suez Canal.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-30950993568935198542011-04-05T01:30:00.000-07:002011-04-05T01:53:13.662-07:00CYAN in Egypt, finally!<div>What a warm thrill it is to have a pretty good net connection to read all the emails, FB messages, and Blog comments realizing that so many folks at home and abroad were thinking about us...I keep getting misty eyed! </div><div>
<br /></div>We are doing very well now, and reached Egypt after the improvished Sudan but still 120 miles to go north before we can leave our boat at a marina in Hurghada and see the ancient sights in Egypt...and <b>PLAY</b> as our reward for all this past stress. Ahhh, hotels!
<br />
<br />We had to stop just south of our goal in Hurgada, Egypt because the wind always comes head on from the north and it just got too strong to go forward into it So on Sunday, 9 boats all pulled into a resort marina in Port Ghalib [25 deg 32 min N, 34 deg 38min E]....cheap but no laundry or food shopping but they have a <b>TGIFridays</b>!!! I haven't gone out to dinner in months, it seems....Yemem didn't count...it was just sustenance!
<br />
<br />Plenty of water here to wash 3 months of dirt and salt off the boat...unbelievable grunge!!
<br />
<br />This resort here is empty due to the revolution and unrest here...or whatever happened in Egypt...we aren't sure but we think it's over now. When we do get to travel it should be uncrowded and cheaper. We expect to go thru the Suez Canal in about a month then revel in our sailing in the Med and seeing old friends in Turkey who came thru last year. <div>
<br />We expect todock in Cyprus in the fall [but things can change] where a new marina gave us a super cheap deal to leave the boat over next winter. We can easily fly to Lebanon and Israel during cold weather. But before that, during this coming summer, we plan to sail in Turkey and maybe to Croatia where we hear it's beautiful and not too expensive.
<br />
<br />We may sell the boat in the Med...maybe a 25% chance if there is interest...but will probably sail to US in one year from this December as soon as hurricane season is over. All depends on how expensive Europe is and if we are still doing well.
<br />
<br />This whole ordeal was the most severe thing we have ever done and it's such a relief to have it over and get back to normal life...or what goes for normal for us. You all will never know how much these thoughts meant to us during the trying times we have had. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>We still pray for the family in captivity in Somalia from Denmark and for the relatives of our friends on Quest.</div><meta charset="utf-8">Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-85964541326050091052011-03-25T06:45:00.000-07:002011-03-25T06:49:20.588-07:00SudanWe have been in Suakin, Sudan for 3 days now and all I have done is clean dirt off all kinds of stuff. This place was a port over 3000 years ago and it looks like it hasn't changed much. What looks like bomb ruins is just what is left when the rich folks in the old city took their house building blocks with them when Port Sudan was made the main port city about 100 years ago. The new town is like life 200 years ago...all folks in traditional dress...turbans and long wraps...goat is the only meat in the butcher shop! The fresh veggies and fruit are really good but the selection very basic. We do plan a trip to the local history museum...it is quite interesting here. <p>We will make it north from here to our first stop in Egypt, 450 miles away, probably in short hops to reef anchorages to avoid driving into 20 knots of wind from the north. We might get a break and 3 good days to go overnight and make some way but we will have to see in 2 days when we get back out there on the water, just what it's like. BTW, a reef anchorage doesn't have protection from the wind like a cove of land...it is just anchoring inside big areas of coral that usually protects somewhat from the waves for comfort. They can be challenging to enter with just the right light so we can wind our way through the "crunchy stuff".<p>There are no facilities for internet or getting money here but not much to buy anyway and the food in the simple restaurant is very simple, dry and overcooked. The folks are very poor but so friendly and welcoming. I gotta say that after navigating Eritrea where all the navigation markers were gone, it's a treat to have well kept up reef and anchorage markers...and some are outstanding...like tall white pillars...little Washington monuments on a coral reef!!! We have 15 boats in this anchorage that couldn't take many more...and there are more coming. We plan to leave tomorrow but we will wait 2 days at least and see.<p>I am finally over my dreadful respiratory flu...Chuck got to do some snorkeling and found the coral remarkable but few fish. I still hope to get in but the water and weather is getting cooler.<p>We will keep posting with another check in soon<br>Lynn and Chuck on CYANUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-42879841872131177372011-03-14T21:39:00.000-07:002011-03-15T00:08:06.412-07:00Safe at last!We finally got to a point 100 miles north of Bab al Mandeb after making the passage on March 11 and then anchoring with the Vasco de Gama Rally (9 boats) behind the cape at Ras Terma. We took off Sat AM and made it to another safe but rolly anchorage south of Great Abail Island, with old cinder cone volcanos on it at<p>13 deg 52.84 min N and 41 deg 59.12 min E.<p>We plan to stay here 2 days and nights to avoid northern winds and also because I have a flu or some sort of respiratory infection and we both needed a break.<p>Our friends Eddie and K. P. on the yachts Chulupa and Joceba, came in to this anchorage last night. We parted with them 50 miles before the Red Sea opening, 3 days ago, because they wanted to go thru at night against the full tidal current we decided to transit Bab al Mandeb the next day. We are too old for that kind of rolling around into choppy swell ...but they made it fine and so did we.<p>We are very thankful to finally relax and only worry about weather and boat systems as usual. Now we will carefully watch the weather avoiding the northerlies until we get near Port Sudan, about half way to Suez. From there it's all northerlies and we just have to choose light blows to motor into. That's called using the "iron sail"!!!<p>Our 38th wedding anniversary is coming up March 23, and we plan to celebrate it in Egypt with a stainless steel polishing party (we hope we can find people to come).<p>more later and photos someday...who knows when we will have access to internet.<p>Lynn and Chuck in CYAN<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-9233446953389872242011-03-07T01:28:00.000-08:002011-03-07T01:57:50.162-08:00more Aden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yQav3UDe_7clgm-kYQDjshHjEP9rZLiBxIGXq8jxWfOmtwHTujJpWqMsrvKSRBpO_qSlTjBbBo25geXdK6yNcpJRDHgTn3lVB1SNf3jasVqZxrI1cUpx4S-nGlAjA_sbAwckokwXdy0/s1600/yemboat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581269092990221986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yQav3UDe_7clgm-kYQDjshHjEP9rZLiBxIGXq8jxWfOmtwHTujJpWqMsrvKSRBpO_qSlTjBbBo25geXdK6yNcpJRDHgTn3lVB1SNf3jasVqZxrI1cUpx4S-nGlAjA_sbAwckokwXdy0/s400/yemboat.jpg" /></a><br />Typical Yemeni boat<br /><br />I just got a chance to read all the comments to my past posts and still have tears in my eyes knowing that so many old friends, family and even folks who don't know us have given us encouragement and concern. My net time is so limited or I would answer each one. Please know how much this means to both of us.<br /><br />We are so ready to leave here but the weather is not cooperating with 25 knot winds and 6'sea but at 4 second intervals makes for a bumpy ride.<br /><br />I was so thrilled that my blog was published on the Cruising World magazine website. And also that the SSCA even stopped the presses to add it to the latest bullitin. We want more folks to know the dangers here so yhey can do something to make it safer.<br /><br />We hope to leave in 2 days either with the other 2 boats or sailing behind the rally that is also here. We are only 250 miles from the safe area!<br /><br />At least there is time to see the area in the dafe zones and get more laundry done!<br /><br />article is at<br /><a href="http://www.cruisingworld.com/how-to/seamanship/stress-in-the-gulf-of-aden">http://www.cruisingworld.com/how-to/seamanship/stress-in-the-gulf-of-aden</a><br /><br />Lynn and Chuck in CYAN<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-85188451691410880412011-03-05T07:03:00.000-08:002011-03-05T07:08:29.962-08:00What a relief!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjVMvMQcUQv0oWjKDf2a5BE_jyWbM6s-_rUesUKsIbxKCy5uFgSSk_baavQD2IK70GBKjfHqvFNsRP2tBLGgJ-UPFKN2t4Nfo-qcyqTMCvkGiQTHkP7za6_fuQeCvrfmxlC__S7KP_bM/s1600/adenhrbr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjVMvMQcUQv0oWjKDf2a5BE_jyWbM6s-_rUesUKsIbxKCy5uFgSSk_baavQD2IK70GBKjfHqvFNsRP2tBLGgJ-UPFKN2t4Nfo-qcyqTMCvkGiQTHkP7za6_fuQeCvrfmxlC__S7KP_bM/s400/adenhrbr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580612534149117202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25cfpYmem7Zl3l89kV0330RLmDWudGTNTTxw1c_-gihpxCmT1CEqs8TXgqVAXOBwP144y2MYoyIOR6rOXYdHmgQWRuI2yNgbZV-pgX_e4Xnp5JC1tP5hQQtpiVPd7lsNOXN6cfdT1jCM/s1600/info.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25cfpYmem7Zl3l89kV0330RLmDWudGTNTTxw1c_-gihpxCmT1CEqs8TXgqVAXOBwP144y2MYoyIOR6rOXYdHmgQWRuI2yNgbZV-pgX_e4Xnp5JC1tP5hQQtpiVPd7lsNOXN6cfdT1jCM/s400/info.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580612532229825794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDoLETj4JIL_Bnq8uMhcCtA_8XadhC6nZd5B_4qdEu_2Ug3ujGHEDcHvhoKGzHBNenXI13BB0LaNVVhCIcz4slrhnXyVG5xBOzW_V5nKvXZPgLT-DkdmLTSV-RtjyRqYpBdvCozHL-5w/s1600/convoy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDoLETj4JIL_Bnq8uMhcCtA_8XadhC6nZd5B_4qdEu_2Ug3ujGHEDcHvhoKGzHBNenXI13BB0LaNVVhCIcz4slrhnXyVG5xBOzW_V5nKvXZPgLT-DkdmLTSV-RtjyRqYpBdvCozHL-5w/s400/convoy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580612525002596674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGCYw2Ae9ZVDL731jjYA-gL8WwuB9uYE7RZ5azGG8xEw_sKx2ICvG5qhCWvpox9_XygxowTUcUK8Jhz5fGzA8fvOzjYypJ8PhvMU0PnwFI05FLnjQjkUvbQDMKzCrFoMvqEA6ozOubvo/s1600/course.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGCYw2Ae9ZVDL731jjYA-gL8WwuB9uYE7RZ5azGG8xEw_sKx2ICvG5qhCWvpox9_XygxowTUcUK8Jhz5fGzA8fvOzjYypJ8PhvMU0PnwFI05FLnjQjkUvbQDMKzCrFoMvqEA6ozOubvo/s400/course.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580612522696591298" /></a><p class="Body" style="tab-stops:35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 141.75pt 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt">On Thursday, March 3, CYAN entered Aden harbor just before dawn. A rally of boats that had come in just before us and we, 3 boats with tired and stressed crew, had to anchor in the dark while dodging boats,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>platforms, and huge moorings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We got to sleep at 6:30 am. So here we are right in the middle of the Yemeni revolution, and even hearing gunfire at night, but still we feel safer than on the pirate infested sea. When we went food shopping, yesterday, our taxi driver told us he was part of the protest and carried the flag in some parade. BTW, the supermarket was such a joy...the best since Australia...better than Singapore because it is so much cheaper. Reminded me of my beloved Kroger!!!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Or Ralph's in LA! They did have incense burning,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>whole skinned lambs hanging up and 5 kinds of feta cheese....a litttle different.</p> <p class="Body" style="tab-stops:35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 141.75pt 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt"><o:p> </o:p>We went to dinner with the crews of Chulupa, Koi and KP, and Joceba [that I have been spelling wrong], Claudia, 3 year old Angelo and Edi. We all celebrated our safety but mourned the sad loss of Quest and worried about getting news of ING and another vessel that is rumored to have been taken.</p> <p class="Body" style="tab-stops:35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 141.75pt 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt"><o:p> </o:p>About the photos...one shows our route across the Ocean where each diamond is 24 hours. The triangles show the high danger zone rectangle...we went just SW of it. The skull is where Quest was captured and the '!' is where ING was taken.....right on our path just a few days later. The photo with the arrowheads shows how we see ships with the AIS on our chartplotter screen...they are in a close convoy, often with a military escort. The wordage photo shows the kind of info we get on the ships...and as we come to the Suez we will be in company with many. The big ships are usually so nice to talk to on the radio.</p> <p class="Body" style="tab-stops:35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 141.75pt 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt"><o:p> </o:p>The other shows Aden Harbor. Some fishing vessels look like what I imagined the Apostles fished from 2000 years ago only without the Yamaha! The hillside buildings look as they did 1000 years ago and it is all quite interesting. The folks are friendly and welcoming here. Most of the women are completely covered in black with just eyes showing and on the day of worship, Friday, the men were often in complete white garments. The harbor area is very well protected during the unrest. We expect to leave in 2 days, maybe Tuesday, if the strong winds die down a bit. It's supposedly blowing 50 knots at the Red Sea Entry at<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bab El Mandeb 90 miles away. We are not ready for this kind of work yet!</p> <p class="Body" style="tab-stops:35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 141.75pt 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt"><o:p> </o:p>Thanks again for the many emails and comments of concern and support....it meant more than you could know. We are so ready for just everyday "plain vanilla" cruising without all the tension. The romance of the Med and even going home again gets closer every day.</p> <p class="Body" style="tab-stops:35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 141.75pt 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt"><o:p> </o:p>from deep in our hearts</p> <p class="Body" style="tab-stops:35.45pt 70.85pt 106.3pt 141.75pt 177.15pt 212.6pt 248.05pt 283.45pt 318.9pt 354.35pt 389.75pt 425.2pt 460.65pt">Lynn and Chuck on CYAN<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext;mso-ansi-language: #0400;mso-fareast-language:#0400;mso-bidi-language:X-NONE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-12404028745102392762011-03-02T13:11:00.000-08:002011-03-02T13:28:07.638-08:00more newsJust when we thought we were getting safer we have had several recent events that are tense. S/V Imagine who is with Lapalapa about 70 miles behind us right at the safety corridor saw a motor vessel...don't know how big...aggressively approached and flares were sent. Then a mysterious vessel with a red light shadowed their sailboat and then turned dark....but radar showed them still there. They put out distress calls for the corridor ships but no response. When they called the USN in Dubai on satelite phone, they got a small ship and helicopter in about 1/2 hour and all they could find at night was something that looked like a fishing vessel but it could have been a disguise, too.<p>Then we read an email this morning about ING and the severity of their condition. They were overtaken right in the same route we had taken only a few days before and near where one of us 3 boats, Joseba, had a mysterious encounter with a 100' vessel that he out maneuvered. We leave the corridor tonight for a fast run to Aden. Civil unrest seems calm compared to this anxiety on the sea. We hear things are under control there now, somewhat.<p>This is all almost unbelievable! It will affect the cruising community for years. I might add that we don't know of anyone else out here in our age range....mostly younger cruisers....for whatever that's worth! Maybe we are young at heart or maybe we need more sense!!!<p>We pray for ING who was anchored near us in the Maldives but we don't know them. Just being out here together during all this makes us, the sailing community, feel like family. Being able to talk to the other 2 boats we are with, Joseba and Chulupa has meant a lot.<p>Hoping for some good news soon. The Red Sea opening is just north of Aden and then we use the southerly winds to sail north like crazy!!!<p>I must say that the love and Prayers we have received with each email we read has affected us to the point of tears. We appreciate all the outpouring of concern for us.<p>Lynn and Chuck on CYAN, Wed, March 2.<p>On March 23 we will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary...hope we are safe.<br>NOTE...right now as I send this, a Ship is reporting 2 strange small boats circling him at a point not to far from us. Something has to be done about these maniacs!!!<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-16185127375474254512011-02-28T01:49:00.000-08:002011-02-28T04:48:06.324-08:00Is there safety?We are having nice steady winds from dead east for almost 24 hours going 4-5kts, wing on wing, and are now about 230 miles to go to Aden. The boats we are with, Chulupa [USA]and Joseba [France/Spain] are good company and we travel at same speeds together. We are followed by Imagine and Lapalapa [both USA boats]about 100 miles behind us.<p>That is our good news...we know of 2 other "aggressive incidents" but we will look for more info before commenting further. We 3 boats are pretty secure now with helicopter flyovers and NATO warships staying in contact. Last night we learned about s/v Pegasus leaving Aden without checking out due to gunfire and some people were killed by student uprising against the present admin...we think. We heard this AM from Jean Pierre on Sanang getting stocked in Al Mukulla, Yemen, that he saw similar unrest there and was locked in a market for a while. We also hear that our other alternative stop, Djbouti, is also know recently known for robbery attacks and other crime. It is also another 100 miles out of our way. We have also been warned about 3 locations in Eritrea [in the Red Sea], that are usually ok stops in precious years, are now off limits due to holding crew and not allowing consular contact for various time periods. This is making it a tough decision about where we can provision and get fuel before going into the Red Sea. We are still getting info on Aden, but are now thinking that stopping there as a group will probably be ok or worth the risk. We are sure getting TOO used to risk!!! You have to be accompanied by an agent for everything and everyplace you go but the prices are cheap even if the ATM machines themselves take an extra tip out of the each deal!!<p>As of today, we have come just over 3400 miles since we left Thailand 6 weeks ago on Jan 15th. I have been off the boat for only 5 hours shopping in Andamans and briefly in Maldives. I guess another good thing is that we never know how we are going to cope with such stressful situations until we are put to the test and maybe, just maybe, I am more stable than I used to give myself credit for. Chuck always says he will tell me when it's time to panic but I haven't had a chance to go into panic mode yet!!!<p>Keep us in mind...this adventure isn't over!!! We are doing pretty well sleeping, sailing, eating and drinking!!! Attitudes are reasonably optimistic but we will celebrate when this whole fiasco is over.<p>from the most inept "fisherpersons" in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea...where ever we are...we just can't catch a fish!!! We know they are there...we have had tackle lost and nibbled. Wonder what they sell in Yemeni supermarkets?<p>Lynn, and Chuck, too on CYAN<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-5115663791160284122011-02-26T01:50:00.000-08:002011-02-26T05:18:10.606-08:00Article to shareThis was written as an article for the Seven Seas Cruising Association Commodore's Bulletin but it will be posted here and can be shared with any publication interested in our experience.<p>Indian Ocean, February, 2011, Decisions and Emotions<br>S/V CYAN, Island Packet 380, 4.7' draft<p>I begin writing these comments at sunset, just as CYAN enters the patrolled corridor, in the Gulf of Aden, February 25, 2011.<p>In January, while finishing repairs in Phuket. Thailand, the original decision to cross the Indian Ocean and Red Sea wasn't difficult. Over 200 yachts had safely crossed the year before and the pirates weren't attacking yachts anymore, apparently. We felt OK about leaving and planned a cruising stop in the Andamans. That turned out to be a waste of time, money and patience with bureaucracy. They closed the rights to anchor in the most interesting locations and the average anchorages costs $10 a night, $60 a day for the marine park [and you have to be gone by night time] and we had to call and check in twice a day. Forget that. We'd been to much better places in the Pacific from where we have wonderful memories.<p>Then, in February when we arrived in the Maldives, Uligan or Uligamu, actually, we found 22 cruising boats that were in somewhat of an uproar with differing opinions on future cruising. Apparently, the pirates had become more aggressive in January while we were en route, and there were more events happening in the middle of the Indian Ocean than along the coast. It seems the small pirate boats were working from a mothership that supplied guns and drugs and encouragement to bring in bounty and captives. Some cruisers had changed plans and were returning east, some arranged shipping for their vessels and many in the TTT convoy headed to Pakistan to follow the coast. While we were there, it came down to 4 vessels who wanted to go ahead with the rhumb line, heading straight for the Gulf of Aden. Then 3 more followed a few days later. Just 2 days before we arrived in the Maldives 6 boats had departed the straight route so there were a number of cruising boats out there. We understand that this first group from Uligan stayed in visual contact with each other and we did not hear them on the Flying Fish net in the AM.<p>There is a story in my family passed down over the years about a great, great...however many times... grandmother who was widowed in the early 1800's and received a land grant in Tennessee. She packed a wagon with her belongings, a mother-in-law and 5 children and traveled from east Georgia through the mountains to settle in her new land. This story and others were the topics Chuck and I shared while making the decision to voyage through the Indian Ocean. We talked of how Chuck felt the first time he landed his A7 jet on an aircraft carrier at night when he flew as a Navy pilot in the 70's. I mentioned the stress, during labor, of being told my first/only child might be severely malformed from the x-rays taken. We talked about the most stressful things we have encountered...and the list wasn't long. In 38 years of marriage we have been blessed and had only routine challenges in life. There runs a strong naval tradition in both of our families that affects us with determination and a love of the sea. Both our dads [USN retired] and 3 uncles fought in the Navy in the Pacific. My dad was at the flag hoisting at Iwo Jima. Other close relatives fought in Korea and Vietnam and, of course, Chuck spent 7 years and 2 cruises flying off an aircraft carrier in the Med. We have always felt at home on the sea and planned and saved for our cruising life for 38 years. We felt a right to be able to travel the seas freely. We prayed about our decision and for God to help us consider, responsibly, all the alternatives. It came down to both of us agreeing to follow our plan right for the Red Sea and hope for the best.<p>I want to say that there was no right or wrong way to go for those of us making these important decisions. Each crew had to decide within their level of comfort and pocketbook according to their values. Many opinions were shared and it came down to each captaining their own vessel. As of today, we just heard that 14 boats are now being shipped to the Med from several places. I told Chuck that every time I had an anxiety attack on this voyage [as I am prone to do] about the present threat, to just say "$30,000" and it would change my attitude. We all have our own motivations.<p>The sailing has been much more enjoyable that we anticipated with steady winds 10-15 knots and flat seas. We only motored 40 hours in 14 days so far. We were handling the voyage carefully. The 4 boats that left together are checking in faithfully on the SSB morning and night with a few others calling in their locations, too. We give our location as a range and bearing to a predetermined waypoint. Then there was that dreadful morning net when we heard that our wonderful friends, Scott and Jean Adam and 2 of their friends on board s/v Quest, were taken captive in an area we all thought was relatively safe. Our anxiety level hit new highs but we kept on our route NW. At this time any other decision just didn't make sense to us.<p>We were in an area about 500 miles off the horn of Africa [about halfway from the Maldives] before we began to see any shipping vessels since we had set out 8 days earlier. On the SSB, we could only get connected to Winlink for email and weather about every other day and hadn't heard anything from the media or even received many emails since folks were writing on Sailmail and we couldn't connect there. Then one midnight we got the CNN report from our son about the tragic outcome on Quest when all four crew were brutally murdered during negotiations. All kinds of feelings and thoughts went through our minds and we held each other a lot and cursed the savages and their criminal organizers with "typical sailors expletives". I never thought I would hear Chuck say,"Now, I'm scared!". Whew, now was the time for praying for strength, guidance and stamina.<p>Word was out that USA vessels were being targeted in retaliation for one pirate justly convicted in the USA. How irrational is this thinking? Some recommended we remove our flag. For us, there was no question about it. We were not going to remove our flag. It just wasn't in our values. We sailed with no lights or the emitting of an AIS signal, but we could still receive. We kept a US registered EPIRB ready to launch and told our son [our primary contact] that if an alarm was activated, it was due to an attack and send help immediately. We emailed our son, Geoff, that if we were captured we wanted the forces to take all aggressive measures even if it put us at risk. We still have an Australian EPIRB on board. We checked the radar often and also removed our reflector. Today we restored it. We did every reasonable thing we could think of to prepare. Actually, we do not consider ourselves in a safe zone yet. Finally, today, we are in a more patrolled zone with P3 airplanes overhead taking our ID info and hearing them talk to warships on the radio. They asked if we'd seen any suspicious activity and reminded us that channel 16 was being monitored.<p>On February 26th, as I finish this, we caught up with s/v Joseba of France and Chulupa of the USA and we plan to travel the corridor with them. They are 2 of the 3 other boats in our group. S/V Senang of The Netherlands has taken the coastal route to cruise with German speaking vessels. Eduardo, on Joseba, told us about an encounter they had just a few days ago when a 100 foot boat tried to get him to stop while he was sailing in an area about 100 miles off Suqutra Island and they were waving a USA flag by hand off the bow but did not contact him on radio. [we think they did not speak English.] He motored his boat erratically, winding all around, as well as he could and they finally gave up. We consider any vessel that does not use radio contact for permission, a threat in this situation, and would do the same. If we see guns, we set and pitch the EPIRB!<p>We are still coping with our grief and anger over the loss of our friends. This will take time. There were tears and cries of anger and frustration. We have only read part of a few relayed articles to know about what is being reported concerning this situation and how it is expressed in the media. We both know that this was one of the most stressful and emotional events we have ever dealt with. At this time, we hope that there are more enlightened minds making decisions that will put a stop to this needless cruelty and acts of crime on the high seas against the rest of the world.<p>Today, our goal is to refuel in Aden, 400 miles away and continue on as quickly as possible. We understand that the TTT rally has not reached Pakistan yet. We hope the coastal route will be safe for them. We sometimes wish we had weapons on board but they can be even more dangerous when outnumbered by pirates. We do wish we had bought a satellite phone.<p>We hope with all our hearts, that all the vessels arrive safely, both cruising boats and merchant ships. We hope some of the nice anchorages in the Red Sea allow us to recuperate and enjoy cruising our beloved sea again.<p>Presently, en route, just north of the safety corridor in Gulf of Aden....<p>Lynn Evans, Commodore, SSCA<br> along with Chuck Evans, Commodore, SSCA<p>Beaufort SC is CYAN's hailing port but our home base is Jacksonville, Florida.<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-38822019274672123922011-02-25T01:49:00.000-08:002011-02-25T01:58:22.608-08:0090%We feel we are about 90% safe now we are entering the patrolled corridor through the Gulf Aden about sundown tonight. I guess we will consider ourselves pretty safe when we are well into the Red Sea. Last night, we were traveling without lights or AIS and encountered an unlit ship on a moonless night on my watch...it was so weird and too close for me at 3 miles...I could hear his engines. We decided to turn on the AIS since then and we have been keeping very close eyes out. We plan to travel just to the north of the patrolled corridor to avoid the coastal fishing boats and nets off Yemen and to stay close to traffic but out of the way.<p>Imagine me, Lynn, standing watch in this tension, quietly reading on a dark boat and being suddenly joined by a 8" flying fish flapping on my arm...that was alarming. He flapped around until he finally flapped his way to the water!<p>This just in...Terrific news...just now as I write...listening to a European P3 aircraft talking to a warship heading to<br>Aden as we are 500 miles away still...music to our ears. He is telling everyone to report anything suspicious and reminding us that it's being patrolled on radio channel 16. He is now talking to 2 of our little group of 6 boats and we are a few miles behind. We think he is headed towards us next and I told Chuck to get some clothes on!!! God bless all the military and patrol vessels!<p>Of course all these military and big ships think we are idiots to be here...and we sometimes wonder ourselves. We can laugh and kid a bit more now but not relax....not yet.<p>When you get a chance look up the Navy story of Stephen Decatur and the battle of the Philadelphia in 1804. It's a most fascinating story and we need some of his techniques for fighting the Barbari Pirates in the War in Tripoli. Similar situation...Should be a movie! Try Wikipedia. We read it aloud from Chuck's copy of Sea Power from his Naval History course in college that we carry to read about historical locations we encounter. We used to live right near Decatur GA named after him!<p>Write us now only using the Sailmail email now since we can't get Winlink...and I gotta say I have cried a bit with every warm, loving sentiment that has been sent our way with all our recent emails. You have no idea how your warm thoughts and love has helped us. I am trying to write everyone just a small note in addition to these updates. Please understand if it takes a while.<p>Yea!! Chuck is now checking in with the P3 plane...they know we are here and who we are! For me this is the best news yet! And the Capt Chuck has just upped our safety factor to 95%!!!<p>More later. Love to all<br>Lynn on CYAN<br>and Chuck too!<p>PS...now they talking to another warship...I love it and thank God!<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-79124117792651473782011-02-24T04:09:00.000-08:002011-02-24T04:18:11.757-08:00almost safeWe are almost out of the high risk zone...should be another 36 hours when we are in patrolled shipping zone that runs west towards the Red Sea Entrance and we are headed for Aden to refuel.<p>At 11 pm last night...only time we can only send and get email and weather...We read the news report that Geoff sent us about the vessel QUEST and our dear friends Scott and Jean and their crew being brutally murdered. It was a tough night on us, to say the least. I broke down from grief and tension and Chuck has never longed for a jet and bombs so much since 9/11. Our tax dollars paid for him to respond that way with his old flight training but it's understandable. He is also distraught but his anger came first! We look at these fine fellow cruisers as martyrs to the cause of our right to sail the free oceans in relative safety. They will not be forgotten by any of us cruisers and for those of us who were friends, we really know what a loss their deaths are. Our hearts go out to their friends and family at home.<p>We loved talking religion and movies with them...what fun we had going out several times in Phuket and planning to see them again in the Med. There aren't too many Christian Cruisers...it's a secular bunch...but they were fine examples and we had similar views. Scott was one of the directors of the movie "Deliverance" and James Dickey, the author, was a client of Chucks, about the asme time years ago. Our hearts are heavy with thoughts of the violence and terror that our friends endured. We hope this initiates the most aggressive retaliation possible. We have to do something, sometime...this just can't keep up.<p>We were sailing north about 3-400 miles off Somalia as this whole Navy thing was taking place just about 100 miles closer to shore than we were. They were towing QUEST west and kept a close look out for anything strong on the radar. We now sail in the moonless night with our lights off but checking AIS and radar often. Today we don't know if we are safer with the "blessed" USN ships off the coast or if some maniacs will come along and blast us dead out of spite and revenge. These aggressive, drug charged people [loosely called that] are uncivilized, caveman-like, irrational maniacs. We have both prayed a lot and kept going on our route north/northwest to the shipping channel in the Gulf of Aden. And we will not remove our flag!!! So many of our relatives have fought for it and it's a big emotional issue for us. Had we known this before we left the Maldives, we still would have come...we damn well have the right to be here! Perhaps more stupid than brave! If we were deterred by hight risk situations, we wouldn't be here! But this may be adrenalin talking!<p>The sailing and seas here in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea have been wonderful ...mostly going 5-7 knots in better than expected winds, and this voyage could have been great if it weren't for this burden of sorrow and taste for revenge.<p>We just had to share our thoughts and conditions with you all. We know that you are wondering about us.<p>Love...and we hope to write soon from a safer location to say that the worst will be past.<br>Lynn and Chuck on CYAN<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-60281802353501854032011-02-23T10:11:00.000-08:002011-02-23T10:50:39.649-08:00Getting closer to a safe zoneWe are almost out of the high risk zone...should be another 36 hours when we are in patrolled shipping zone that runs west towards the Red Sea Entrance and we are headed for Aden to refuel.<p>At 11 pm last night...only time we can only send and get email and weather...We read the news report that Geoff sent us about the vessel QUEST and our dear friends Scott and Jean and their crew being brutally murdered. It was a tough night on us, to say the least. I broke down from grief and tension and Chuck has never longed for a jet and bombs so much since 9/11. Our tax dollars paid for him to respond that way with his old flight training but it's understandable. He is also distraught but his anger came first! We look at these fine fellow cruisers as martyrs to the cause of our right to sail the free oceans in relative safety. They will not be forgotten by any of us cruisers and for those of us who were friends, we really know what a loss their deaths are. Our hearts go out to their friends and family at home.<p>We loved talking religion and movies with them...what fun we had going out several times in Phuket and planning to see them again in the Med. There aren't too many Christian Cruisers...it's a secular bunch...but they were fine examples and we had similar views. Scott was one of the directors of the movie "Deliverance" and James Dickey, the author, was a client of Chucks, about the asme time years ago. Our hearts are heavy with thoughts of the violence and terror that our friends endured. We hope this initiates the most aggressive retaliation possible. We have to do something, sometime...this just can't keep up.<p>We were sailing north about 3-400 miles off Somalia as this whole Navy thing was taking place just about 100 miles closer to shore than we were. They were towing QUEST west and kept a close look out for anything strong on the radar. We now sail in the moonless night with our lights off but checking AIS and radar often. Today we don't know if we are safer with the "blessed" USN ships off the coast or if some maniacs will come along and blast us dead out of spite and revenge. These aggressive, drug charged people [loosely called that] are uncivilized, caveman-like, irrational maniacs. We have both prayed a lot and kept going on our route north/northwest to the shipping channel in the Gulf of Aden. And we will not remove our flag!!! So many of our relatives have fought for it and it's a big emotional issue for us. Had we known this before we left the Maldives, we still would have come...we damn well have the right to be here! Perhaps more stupid than brave! If we were deterred by hight risk situations, we wouldn't be here! But this may be adrenalin talking!<p>The sailing and seas here in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea have been wonderful ...mostly going 5-7 knots in better than expected winds, and this voyage could have been great if it weren't for this burden of sorrow and taste for revenge.<p>We just had to share our thoughts and conditions with you all. We know that you are wondering about us.<p>Love...and we hope to write soon from a safer location to say that the worst will be past.<br>Lynn and Chuck on CYANUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-64960351635825492262011-02-21T10:26:00.000-08:002011-02-21T10:28:20.097-08:00We are still OK!Yes, I think we might have been nuts to get here in the middle of the active area of the Arabian Sea....but since we are here we are praying for a safe exit for us and all the other vessels who are also nuts!!!<p>Chuck just talked to one cargo ship passing us this AM that said they outran an "aggressive small boat" and then 1 hour later talked to a Dutch ship that hadn't seen any problems. We are now entering the shipping lanes....but we hope we are west of the most active areas.<p>We are still checking with our small group of cruisers in the AM and PM and we can only send and receive email and weather about every other day. The weather and sailing has been wonderful...all will be fine when the great USA blows the pirates all away.<p>We are distressed and most upset about the capture of QUEST. Scott and Jean are friends and really wonderful people and don't deserve this treatment....God be with them...please remember them and all of us in your prayers. Somehow we pray that they will be fine and their captors are blown to hell!!! If we only had Jack Bower from "24" and Jack Reacher from the Lee Child series....if only!!!<p>Today we have about 5 more days to sail before relative safety about 550 miles. This will be in the main shipping channel "security corridor" which is well patrolled with security vessels. We monitor the radar and have removed our radar reflector to better slip through. We also have our AIS on just receive and not broadcasting our location. We only know of a few other USA boats so maybe that info on targeting US boats was a bluff....or maybe they are deterred by the active Navy response!<p>WE WILL NOT REMOVE OUR FLAG!!! We have discussed it and we just won't do it. Nights are usually ok...they haven't been known to attack at night and our usual boat speed has been 6 knots which is good for us on the windvane.<p>Should something happen to us...we take full responsibility for our actions...we just want all our family and friends to know how much they mean to us. Maybe next time we will do something normal like travel in an RV!!! Hah! Us do something normal???<p>We will try to write again soon. Keep up the prayers and hopes for us all.<p>Lynn and Chuck on CYANUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-83761509667937354272011-02-14T19:03:00.000-08:002011-02-14T19:05:28.844-08:00Fiasco..workday from hell!Here it is our last day before leaving to sail NW and the generator quits due to overheating. While Chuck troubleshoots the genset", I discover that a 4 liter box white wine has leaked all over the back room and it smells like a winery!!! That took several wipe downs.<p>After hours of dissembling the genset...I mean all day...he finds the saltwater intake blockage and fortunately I had bought some acid cleaner just for waterlines. Hopefully it will work fine from now on.<p>So now we get to shop for food on the small island with a store the size of a walkin closet...but the supply ship comes in today and they promise some fresh stuff. Next we put away the dinghy and put up the pole that holds the jib out in light winds, make up the bed in the main cabin for passages and we are set to depart this afternoon.<p>keep us in mind<p>more later<p>Lynn and Chuck on CYANUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-14574439627851927092011-02-11T05:59:00.000-08:002011-02-11T06:01:50.310-08:00First Leg of PassageWe wish we had delightful news to share but not this time. The voyage from the Andaman Islands south of Sri Lanka was most uncomfortable but not to the point of dangerous. Most of it was spent in a weather low pressure system that moved west with us making for weird choppy seas and westerly winds to beat into. Beating is sailing close into the wind and we got lots of smashes slapping into the bow and we took on more salt water all over the boat than any other trip....makes for a mess to clean up now we have arrived in the Maldives...actually Ulagamu in the north of the chain.<p>One really nice thing cheered us. A huge ship passed us and sent us a message on our AIS device [this tracks ships for us and sends a signal about us to them]. They said,"Ahoy brave sailors, Bon Voyage!". We didn't even know we could get messages over the AIS screen and our unit isn't fancy enough to send one. We had 2 ships that were happy to change their course and go behind us when we asked them. Amazing to see this 1/5 mile long vessel alter course just for us.<p>Here in Ulagamu it's quite remarkable...a school of squid have circled the boat all morning and we see manta rays and porpoises every time we go outside. 19 boats here are in somewhat of an uproar changing plans to avoid the expanded pirate areas. Many...maybe half are going back east or going 1000 miles north to Pakistan or paying $30,000 plus to have their boat shipped from here by a contracted ship. There are still those of us who will go ahead with our plans and take the direct route to the Red Sea stopping in Aden if we need fuel which we probably will. This leg that we depart on Monday Feb 14th will take 2 1/2 to 3 weeks.<p>Now is time we need prayers. This is the biggest risk we have taken but we have a pod of 4-6 boat that will remain in radio contact but we will not be in sight but rather on our own for the most part.<p>We would love to hear from folks but our sailmail email isn't coming through so if folks write us there we will write when we can get it.<p>We are very busy fixing small, inconvenient breakdowns around the boat and lots of mildew!!! Please keep us in mind...<p>Lynn and Chuck on CYANUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-60131471347908373842011-01-30T02:18:00.000-08:002011-01-30T02:19:33.232-08:00west to MaldivesWe left the Andamans on Thursday Jan 27 at just before sundown...they want you out of their hair in 2 hours after checking out from immigration. So we got to sail thru a 1 mile passage in the blacka** night with no moon or sight of a horizon...just the radar image to get around the south of the main islands. Even Chuck who is a pillar of patience couldn't wait to get out after "big brother" was watching us the whole time with radio calls and even helicopters. I mean we aren't carrying weapons!!!<p>Some anchorages there were supposed to be just great but now they are off limits for cruisers and they are also charging about $10 a night to anchor any where in the islands. Even the regular anchorages are often in passages between islands with current and deeper than we like at 60-70' depth. As far as we are concerned the whole Indian bunch can just shove it!!! We heard of a taxi driver reporting a cruiser for changing out a routine pump and the govmt charged him duty for bringing it in because he allegedly brought in the pump to sell!!! Go figure! No other government acts this way....taxi driver spies??? Come on!!!<p>3 days behind us now with lumpy seas but usually good enough wind to do 5-6 knots. We have had enough scattered storms to clean off the salt and top off the water tanks....and make everything sticky and knocks us around freshening up our bruise assortment!<p>This sunday am just after I got up from my last sleep about 1pm, Chuck says we are dragging something and he has to go into the drink and cut it off in 25 knot winds. We hove the boat to with the staysail...[sorta stopping it by keeping it almost into the wind]. He was so brave to tie himself on and dive down with a knife and cut off a 10' long bunch of nets...looked like a bunch of onion and fruit bags in a old fish net. It was hooked on a tiny ...less than 1/4" screw... that holds on a zinc and had been slowing us down by a knot of speed.<p>Cooking has been a challenge but I am getting my sea legs back and learning to wait for the right roll to cook and it takes twice as long. No fish yet but we still keep trying as long as there aren't storms. These storms are pretty mild...just annoying.<p>more later<p>Cyan Crew<br>Lynn<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366027104929396123.post-42904055833530293222011-01-22T05:13:00.000-08:002011-01-22T05:14:26.031-08:00First Anchorage in AndamansFinally, we are anchored at Havelock Island in the Andaman Islands, way SE of South India. The check in process the last 2 days for us both and the vessel was beyond belief. We had heard that they have the "bureaucrats from hell" here in India and boy, do they like paperwork and job security. We have never had to go fetch, in the dingy [on several trips], 12 different customs, quarantine and immigration guys from the harbor dock to fill out forms and submit pages of info and then, later have 7 more coast guard guys get on the boat for more of the same paperwork. They needed to know everything about us, our plans and the boat....like how much booze we have, a list of all meds, all the food and suppies we have, all our electronics and a list of jewelry and other things of value and another list of everything on the boat like anchors, sails, electronics.<p>While cruising we have to call in twice a day and tell them everything we do. You'd think this was the garden of Eden instead of a bunch of islands. How this country functions, we cannot understand!!! When they gave me back the paper with all our prescriptions all neatly listed and said they also needed to know all the expiration dates, I blew up, emphatically said that "They all are expired...I only take expired meds and I wanted out of their country...NOW!!!" Well, since they never seen a conniption fit, they backed down and said we suddenly passed quarantine and there were no further problems! I'd had enuf folks tromping thru my boat all day asking all kinds of personal questions like how much did the boat cost, how old we are, how long we have been married...everything but info on our private stateroom life!!!<p>The town at Port Blair is a dingy village from the past with cows rooting thru garbage cans and getting anything done, like buying deisel fuel, takes great effort, filled forms and long lines. Getting a cell phone sim card was more of an event than the whole process of Checking into most other countries. The card just costs a total of $2.50 and 30 minutes building up a 20 page file for their record. There were about 6-7 boats in the anchorage checking in or out and on Sat the 22nd of Jan we were glad to get off on our trip around these islands we have read and heard so much about.<p>Our first anchorage is off a nice long, beach with a small resort. The seas are soft and the breeze keeps away the bugs and cools us. Fishing is supposed to be great but we haven't caught anything all day...maybe tomorrow!!!<p>We heard about the "big Salties", the saltwater crocodiles that are in all the brackish areas off the main islands and to watch where we swim. We enjoyed watching the porpoises jump while having dinner and look forward to walking the beach and fishing tomorrow. We will snorkel in a better location for coral than here....and we will keep posting...<p>Lynn and Chuck, too, on CYAN<p>----------<br>radio email processed by SailMail<br>for information see: <a href="http://www.sailmail.com">http://www.sailmail.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2