garyandpearl

Dec7/23

Our cabin is in the back of the ship on the 6th floor, so at 0515h this morning we awoke to the sounds and vibrations of the mighty azipod thrusters engaging to place this marine city in place by 6 am. Thankfully we fell back asleep for a while once the ship was safely docked.

We had the luxury of sleeping in this morning because we are staying on board for the next 14 days. Many people had to be up early and getting off the ship to fly to their homes.

The apostle Paul landed in Puteoli which is modern day Pozzuoli, a port just north of where we were yesterday. Our port is very modern with only three ships in port today as opposed to nine ships two weeks ago. It is nearing the end of cruising season in this area of the world.

Some passengers took excursions to Rome today, but since Gary and I have been there, we decided to head into the town to explore. It started out very chilly this morning, and I was grateful that I took my toque and mitts with me. By the time we got back on the ship this afternoon, the sun was lovely and warm, and the sky is so blue.

Our maps and iPhones were very helpful today, and we found the market where locals would go to buy food and clothing and many other things as well.

Gary guided me to another thrift store, which I would say would be similar to our Value Village or Goodwill.

We also managed to find a fishing supply store, however, it was closed for some reason.

We found a Baptist church and another cathedral.

There is a large statue at the port which is referred to as the “kissing statue”.

“The 25-foot installation recreates the famous embrace between a sailor and a nurse celebrating the end of World War II in New York’s Times Square in 1945” according to Google.

We now continue on with the next segment of our journey. After our rather disjointed tour of places that Paul had been, we now head west to Spain where tradition suggests that St. James went to preach the gospel. In Romans 15:24, we find that Paul had intended to go to Spain, but the Bible doesn’t say that he actually made it there before he died in Rome.

Spain, here we come!!