Kavala

Originally we were supposed to be in Volos today and visiting the Meteora Monasteries but two weeks before our cruise, Celebrity announced they were cancelling that stop and instead moving our visit to Kavala to today. We were further annoyed when the cruise director announced the night before that due to operational issues, we would have to tender to the shore using the ship's lifeboat tenders instead of docking. It was too late to change our excursion. So we trudged down to the lifeboats where the sea was rocky and J. R. was injured when a guest fell on top of him trying to get to a seat (and did not really apologize). It took awhile to get off the tenders and then we got on our bus to Ancient Philippi.

Ancient Philippi

The remains of this walled city lie at the foot of an acropolis in north-eastern Greece, on the ancient route linking Europe and Asia, the Via Egnatia. Founded in 356 BCE by the Macedonian King Philip II, the city developed as a "small Rome" with the establishment of the Roman Empire in the decades following the Battle of Philippi, in 42 BCE. Later the city became a centre of the Christian faith following the visit of the Apostle Paul in 49-50 CE.

Our first stop was at the ancient theater at the foot of the acropolis. The first phase dates back to 356 BCE. During Roman colonization, the orchestra was floored with marble slabs and a high wall was built to protect the spectators during beast fights.

Basilica A

Basilica A was one of the largest Early Christian basilicas, dating back to the 5th century CE.

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is a massive square attesting to Philippi's commercial significance. It is here where Paul met a slave girl who was performing divination and he commanded the spirit to exit her in the name of Jesus Christ. The woman lost her gift and Paul was taken in custody and beaten according to Acts 16:16-22.

Basilica C

We walked next to the site of Basilica C, which is where the Prison of Paul is located. Paul was imprisoned here according to Acts 16:23-32 but during the night, an earthquake occurred, freeing him and opening the prison doors. His jailer prepared to commit suicide when Paul presented himself to the jailer and the jailer asked to be saved by the power of Christ.

Mosiac

Our last stop was the octogonal church and the huge preserved mosiac on the floor.

Baptistery of Lydia

We made our way back to our bus and traveled next to the Bapistery of Lydia. Lydia, a gentile convert, is the first female in the Bible that receives specific mention as being baptized. A merchant of fine purple cloth, she is an example of an upwardly mobile woman who converted and provided leadership in the early Christian communities. Women played an integral role in the early church. She converts her husband and Paul spends the night with her family during his travels. We stopped along the river at the place near where it is believed she was baptized.

Church of Lydia

A small chapel has been constructed on the site that is still in use today as a Christian church.

Driving Back to the Ship

We got back on our bus and headed back to the port, stopping for some photos at an overlook before arriving at port and boarding the tender boats for our return to the ship. We grabbed some food up on deck and then headed down to the bars. We skipped the evening show which was a band doing Jerry Lee Lewis and Frank Sinatra. J. R. had made a last minute decision to book the Taj X Indian dinner in Sushi on Five and we were very pleased with the different food options and we walked away quite full.

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