Day 6 (12th June) – Graduation

The day has come!  With three perfect flight missions Teams Mars, Jupiter and Saturn earned their wings and graduated Space Camp this morning.  There were team prizes for best mission, best programming, best robot design, space jeopardy and an individual prize for leadership.  Details of the winners will be appearing here on another blog along with photos of the robotics competition.  The DC staff are very proud of the outstanding performances by our young astronauts.  Miss Li Fook and Mr Hann watched from Mission Control as the Flight Directors and Commanders kept their crew ‘right on the line’ through every malfunction warning and crisis the simulator threw at them.

After graduation we piled onto the bus for our trip back in time to the Roman city of Ephesus.  First stop was Şirince, a beautiful rustic village in the mountains up a twisting road that would have given Mr Hill a heart attack if knew about it.  We walked/clambered/climbed up through the winding streets to the market at the top for yet more shopping.  If you have a daughter you can possibly expect to receive some olive oil soaps or beautiful jewelry as a present.  If you have a son……..you might see the genuine Turkish New York Yankees baseball cap he bought for himself.  The DC staff quickly realised that if you want to know how to get a great deal then follow Angus.  He’s recovered from his broken finger to become the bartering king of the trip.  Lunch was at the top of the village and just as tasty as yesterday.  But even the lovely kebabs were nothing on the amazing views from the open-air restaurant.

Back on the bus and we made our way to Mount Koressos high above Ephesus to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, an important shrine for both Catholics and Muslims.  Just as importantly, it is a beautiful location and very peaceful.  Those who wished to could visit the chapel or add a note on the wishing wall.

 

Down the hill to the Roman city of Ephesus.  In a hyphenated word, mind-blowing.  One of the most intact roman city ruins in existence, the scale of it and its restoration really allows you to imagine narrow city streets and vibrant life on the coast of the Aegean 2000 years ago.  It’s not possible to describe every part of the city on this blog but there is time to highlight the huge Library of Celsus that was damaged in an earthquake and rebuilt within the roman period.  Just when we were getting our breath back walking through the commercial agora (or Mall of the Ephesus?) we caught sight of the 25000(!) seat theatre.  A fantastic short musical was put on by some of our girls that the Muppets couldn’t have done better themselves.

 

 

After drinks and ice cream it was time to drag our tired feet back to the coach and home for our last night at Space Camp.  Dinner and into the Space Camp movie theatre for Apollo 13 (which is the reason Mr Hann is typing this so late at night – it gets better and better every time you watch it).

Tomorrow is our last day and although we will be sad to leave we will also be glad to get home…..actually no.  None of us want to leave and quite frankly could stay here another week for more simulators, more robotics, more T-chair, more zero-G, more moonwalking, more astronomy, more skylab, more space missions and more everything!!!

Goodnight and see you tomorrow!!!

PS.  I’ve been told off by Miss Li Fook for avoiding pictures of myself on the blog all week so just to get her off my back...