I - 200 : Apostle Paul's Voyage to Rome (II)

Christmas is a good time to read Saint Paul's scriptures and spend time with loved ones. It also is the perfect time for "de-dusting" my blog and writing stories again of places we want to visit in 2025 and other related items. It is Year II of our project to follow the route of Apostle Paul. He was brought as prisoner to Rome in 57 AD. We finished our trip last year in Knidos, where we found out that strong winds prevented him from getting into the harbour for shelter. Instead, his ship was blown towards Cape Salmone on Crete's most eastern tip.

MYRA, our boat for 2025 from Rhodes to Pylos on the Peloponnese

Saint Paul's journey is described in considerable details in the New Testament in Acts 27:1 to 28:16. The Roman Centurion, the senior officer on board, decided to follow Crete's south coast to avoid the strong norderlies. He also contemplated to stay for the winter in Phoenix. But a strong gust swept the boat out into the open sea with no chance of returning. For 14 days did the brave men and women endure the storm before they shipwrecked in Malta. No life was lost but the ship's precious cargo was gone.

Phoenix near modern Foinikas was where the Centurion planned to stay for the winter

We wont follow Saint Paul's course after week 1 but stay on Crete's northern shores. There is so much to be seen. Europe's first civilization, the Minoans, built many palaces - not only Knossos - all worth visiting. They were the Mediterranean's first mariners trading with Sardinia to the West, the Levant in the East, Greece to the North and Egypt to the South. They also adapted the sail which they found in Egypt around 3'000 BC for use on the sea. Their civilization was truly entrepreneurial. Their art is beautiful.

Minoan Sailboats from Murals in Akrotiri on Santorini around 1'600 BC

If you are interested in our itinerary for 2025, you find it on this blog under the section "Travel Plans - Travel Brochure 2025".

Welcome back to the blog!