Turkey (Izmir/Ephesus) - Day 6

With Athens behind us and the memory of Acropolis and all it's glorious relics still fresh in our mind, we welcomed another day and the promise of another adventure in another port of call with so much enthusiasm. We have done so much, seen plenty in our limited time in Athens and we wanted to do the same thing here in Izmir/Ephesus. This would be the only back-to-back port days in the entire cruise.
When we went up to the deck to have breakfast before heading out we had no clue as to the surprise that awaited us at the port. We followed camera-toting cruisemates to one side of the deck. Something big is happening I thought for these hungry cruisers to leave their eggs and bacon, ham, croissants, piping hot coffee, etc and excitedly grab their cameras to follow the crowd to that side of the boat. I followed suit :)

And this was what awaited us. While we were sleeping, a US Navy aircraft carrier berthed next to us at the port of Izmir. How cool. Very exciting to see this gargantuan vessel so close to us that no way, not even the best camera could get a shot of the entire thing - unless you stitch photos together - now why didn't I think of that (duh)?
It's especially thrilling for me because my nephew spent 5 years in a vessel like this that was docked in Japan and he worked in the electrical dept [we were glad he wasn't anywhere near the line of fire - too nerve wracking to think] there. Seeing all the aircraft on its deck shows how truly gigantic this vessel is.
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing air base. Aircraft carrier allows a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases to stage aircraft operations.

Later when we disembarked and was walking out the port, I was able to take a picture of the whole vessel. There she goes to wherever she's supposed to go. I checked where the aircraft carriers are stationed, there are supposed to be 2 in Italy. This is probably going there. And she probably replenished her supplies in Turkey.
Here begins another leg of the cruise.



Comments

  1. Very impressive ship! And those planes. Would love to fly one of them :D

    Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comment. Have a great weekend!

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  2. Super series of shots, I remember reading once how two brothers were on the same aircraft carrier for over a year without knowing they were on the same shop, so big it is amazing

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  3. wow. that's i massive war ship. i cud only dream of seeing one, moreso being in one.

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  4. somehow this reminds me of video games i've been playing... like call of duty... hehehe

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  5. Wonderful views of the planes and of the imposing ship.
    Happy weekend!

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  6. I would have loved to see this! Nice!

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  7. Big wow! I wish to see these vessels, too! It's like watching a filming of bits and pieces of history.

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  8. I missed and am catching up with your posts. (I haven't been blogging quite as regularly as I want to/used to.) These pictures are impressive for their subjects ... I wonder if I'd ever see the real things ... It must be awesome to be near them and take pictures of them.

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  9. The first aircraft carriers I saw were in San Diego, California a few years ago. A favorite seafood restaurant of mine was called Top of the Market and was located by the water and right next to the aircraft carrier Midway, which is now a floating museum.

    Glad to know that you had a fun and great trip to Athens! I hope there weren't any riots during the time that you were there. Take care.

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  10. It's certainly not something we see every day, Maria, so no wonder the excitement. Very educational, too. And to think St. Paul possibly stood in this very spot at one time, thousands of years ago!

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  11. This aircraft carrier is quite impressive Maria. Fine captures!

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  12. funny because just right now im talking to my auntie who works with the military asking her if i can have a chance to ride a helicopter. it's in my bucket list.

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  13. wow ehat a thrilling experience!!

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  14. superb captures! you really managed to get some great shots!

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  15. Exciting travels Photo Cache! I wonder what's up next after Turkey. And I like the new header :D

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  16. Here you take shots as you want to. Other places they will try to lock you up, even if it is the same ship. Whatever, you have some great detailed pictures here - even of some flying Humvees on deck :-)

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  17. Wow! gigantic vessel indeed. I have seen one but one of oil and gas vessel. Superb shots...very sharp.

    Btw,I love the new header. Soothes my eyes.

    off topic:
    May post ako about Al Ain public transport system. Pasensya na natagalan.

    Have a nice day.

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  18. ahoy there matey! ^0^
    really huge vessel, the last time we were in san diego, we saw similar to these, but not this massive.

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  19. Great shots and awesome new header!

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  20. Your photos remind me of the upcoming Fleet Week - I hope this big ship will be one that will dock in NYC.

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  21. nice ! what's the name of this aircraft carrier ? Doesn't look to be an enterprise class but I'd spending hours taking photos of this baby if I was there :) Now I know why I need a real zoom lens ;)

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  22. Seeing that US Navy Aircraft carrier up close is a great opportunity. Thanks for sharing these amazing shots.

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  23. Thank you for sharing these images. They are not the kind one gets to see in the normal course.

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