Mikonos, Greece

The travel distance from Kusadasi to Mikonos is only 102 miles but the ship took all night cruising the Mediterranean Sea so we arrived at port about 7:00 am, just the way it was scheduled. My wife and I have been to this island before but we spent the bulk of our time onshore visiting the neighboring island of Delos to see the famous archeological ruins there. This time we just hang out in Mikonos.

This is how I spend the early morning whether the ship is at port or at sea - walking around the ship for an hour or two.

Toilet sentinel!

Very narrow streets

She became a more interesting subject to watch - thanks to the wind.

Fish cleaning

A mini-farmer's market?

I can sit here all day, drink beer and stare at the ocean. Yeah, right!

This island is inundated with tourists!

I took a leisurely walk back to the ship instead of using my prepaid bus ticket.

Kusadasi, Turkey

Our next port of call was Kusadasi, a popular seaside resort in Turkey and best known for its historical and archaelogical sites. Less than half an hour away is the ancient city of Ephesus, the shrine of the Virgin Mary's house, the ruins of St. John's Basilica and I don't remember what else. Our shore excursion was not organized by the cruise ship. We got it from the internet and we were very happy with the deal we got - a minivan for the four of us with a knowledgeable guide for $50/person for the day with an included lunch. Of course, we had to make sure we get back before sailing time - the ship will gladly leave us behind for not patronizing their shore excursions LOL.

Kusadasi port area

Our cruise ship, the Celebrity Equinox

I don't feel comfortable when I see armed guards anywhere.

It was really not that hot but it was preferable to stay in the shade while our guide was pumping us with information about the ruins.

I find the tattooed back of this tourist more interesting than the ruins.

The sun did damage to the mind of this tourist - she thinks she's the missing statue in the ruins LOL.

One of the signs says, "Genuine fake watches" LOL.

More ruins! I have enough, let's go back to the ship.

Istanbul, day two

We spent the morning of our second day in Istanbul cruising the Bosphorus Strait in a smaller boat. This strait connects the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea and splits Istanbul between Asia and Europe. You can have breakfast in Europe and walk over a bridge and have lunch in Asia!

This is one of the two bridges that connects Asian and European sides of Istanbul.

I do not know if this guy is fishing for a living or just for the joy of catching fish. I hope he caught his limit.

Guys, go over to the Asian side of the Bosphorus the fishes there are suicidal. They'll bite anything you throw at them LOL.

This fort has a rich history but the details escaped me. That's what I get for not paying attention to the endless chatter of  tour guides anywhere I go LOL.  Well,  sometimes I do listen to them, when I personally find the subject interesting.

That's not a weird hat! He is selling bread in his own unique way. I hope he does not trip LOL.

This poor tour bus driver is grabbing a few winks while his passengers are out at sea.

It is too far in the background but if you enlarge the pic, you'll recognize the pay toilet, a common predatory animal abroad. Now that I think about it, I still have to run into a pay toilet here in the US of A. Lucky me! I'm not against paying, I just don't feel comfortable when there is an unsmilling attendant sitting at the entrance eyeing everyone that comes in.

It's not the kind of Turkish delight I had in mind.

Spice bazaar

He's an itinerant hot tea vendor in colorful uniform.