My Big Fat Greek Vacation
I promised I would post pics, so under the cut, in case you find this all very boring, are some vacation pics
This is Mykonos - our first stop
This was a little chapel by the waterfront
Next stop was Turkey and the dig site at Ephessus. You are looking at a street which led down to the library. On the right would have been street vendors. On the left are the "terrace houses". They were the Beverley Hills of Ephessus. This day was just amazing.
This is inside the terrace houses. They have covered it over to try to preserve it better. These terrace houses had hot and cold running water.
A mosaic design in the floor of one of the terrace houses
This is us in front of the library. Put this one in to prove I was there. After this, we visited a Turkish rug making facility, where my husband bought a rug, bless his heart. He cannot deal with pressure sales. Poor Canadian. He just says yes to everything. If you ever run into him, you will be able to sell him anything at any price.
From there it was on to Patmos, best known for its Monastery and a cave where John was supposed to have written "Revelation" It's a really small cave, btw. This is a windmill, which a wealthy Swiss guy, who vacations on the island, has restored.
We had to tender in to Patmos, which gave me a chance to take a decent pic of our ship.
Now it is Day 3 and we are on Rhodes. This is the Acropolis at Lindos
This is a view from the top of the Acropolis. I learned on this vacation that "Acropolis" means edge of the city. One thing I learned on this vacation is that one should not save travelling for retirement. It was a bit of a climb to get to this site and I'm not sure I could do it in another 20 years. A bit of a depressing thought, really.
After Lindos, we visited the medieval walled city. This is the Knight's road. Knights from different countries had living quarters here. Very cool area, with lots of shopping and cafes. Dave had a gigantic beer, which was in the shape of a boot and cost 18 EU. No kidding. It was the length of his forearm. I was worried I would have to carry him back to the ship.
Next day and we are on the island of Crete. Here we visited a winery and had a tour of the countryside. There were lots of rolling hills and olive trees.
Later that day, we visited Santorini. This pic is taken as we head toward the island.
I loved Santorini. We only spent 4 hours there. I really wished we could have stayed there for a couple of days.
Iconic Santorini pic, although it was overcast on the day we were there.
Couldn't resist the blue door
Next day and we are in Athens, on a city tour. I don't know why it surprised me, but it did surprise me that the Acropolis is in the middle of the city.
Me, rocking the scarf. lol
These are replicas. The originals are in the Acropolis museum and at the British museum. Lord Elgin did a lot of pilloring (sp) back when Greece was run by the Turks. The stuff he "liberated" or "stole", depending on your perspective, is known as the "Elgin Marbles". Big international law case over it.
Next day we did some more touring. This is on top of a big rock and after a sweaty climb. Although we blame the Greek crisis on siestas, we did understand why no one works when it's so bloody hot.
I took this photo for a friend, who has a collection of "Keep Calm and...." signs. Reminded me of Mistletoe
After climbing around ruins and walking around the very busy market, we stopped at this lovely cafe for a very long lunch. We had a lovely meal here, topped off by lemoncellos on the house.
Last view of the Acropolis.
So that was Greece. If you're still with me, thanks for sticking it out. We had a really awesome time. It was tough being away from Brett, but we were so happy we decided to do it. Back story: We bid on this trip at a charity auction; both of us a little into our cups, as they say. Had some second thoughts about it, but so glad we did it. I now have a serious travel bug, but also a 14 year old who was not keen on being left with Grandma. Also, a law practice that cannot be left alone for very long.
This is Mykonos - our first stop
This was a little chapel by the waterfront
Next stop was Turkey and the dig site at Ephessus. You are looking at a street which led down to the library. On the right would have been street vendors. On the left are the "terrace houses". They were the Beverley Hills of Ephessus. This day was just amazing.
This is inside the terrace houses. They have covered it over to try to preserve it better. These terrace houses had hot and cold running water.
A mosaic design in the floor of one of the terrace houses
This is us in front of the library. Put this one in to prove I was there. After this, we visited a Turkish rug making facility, where my husband bought a rug, bless his heart. He cannot deal with pressure sales. Poor Canadian. He just says yes to everything. If you ever run into him, you will be able to sell him anything at any price.
From there it was on to Patmos, best known for its Monastery and a cave where John was supposed to have written "Revelation" It's a really small cave, btw. This is a windmill, which a wealthy Swiss guy, who vacations on the island, has restored.
We had to tender in to Patmos, which gave me a chance to take a decent pic of our ship.
Now it is Day 3 and we are on Rhodes. This is the Acropolis at Lindos
This is a view from the top of the Acropolis. I learned on this vacation that "Acropolis" means edge of the city. One thing I learned on this vacation is that one should not save travelling for retirement. It was a bit of a climb to get to this site and I'm not sure I could do it in another 20 years. A bit of a depressing thought, really.
After Lindos, we visited the medieval walled city. This is the Knight's road. Knights from different countries had living quarters here. Very cool area, with lots of shopping and cafes. Dave had a gigantic beer, which was in the shape of a boot and cost 18 EU. No kidding. It was the length of his forearm. I was worried I would have to carry him back to the ship.
Next day and we are on the island of Crete. Here we visited a winery and had a tour of the countryside. There were lots of rolling hills and olive trees.
Later that day, we visited Santorini. This pic is taken as we head toward the island.
I loved Santorini. We only spent 4 hours there. I really wished we could have stayed there for a couple of days.
Iconic Santorini pic, although it was overcast on the day we were there.
Couldn't resist the blue door
Next day and we are in Athens, on a city tour. I don't know why it surprised me, but it did surprise me that the Acropolis is in the middle of the city.
Me, rocking the scarf. lol
These are replicas. The originals are in the Acropolis museum and at the British museum. Lord Elgin did a lot of pilloring (sp) back when Greece was run by the Turks. The stuff he "liberated" or "stole", depending on your perspective, is known as the "Elgin Marbles". Big international law case over it.
Next day we did some more touring. This is on top of a big rock and after a sweaty climb. Although we blame the Greek crisis on siestas, we did understand why no one works when it's so bloody hot.
I took this photo for a friend, who has a collection of "Keep Calm and...." signs. Reminded me of Mistletoe
After climbing around ruins and walking around the very busy market, we stopped at this lovely cafe for a very long lunch. We had a lovely meal here, topped off by lemoncellos on the house.
Last view of the Acropolis.
So that was Greece. If you're still with me, thanks for sticking it out. We had a really awesome time. It was tough being away from Brett, but we were so happy we decided to do it. Back story: We bid on this trip at a charity auction; both of us a little into our cups, as they say. Had some second thoughts about it, but so glad we did it. I now have a serious travel bug, but also a 14 year old who was not keen on being left with Grandma. Also, a law practice that cannot be left alone for very long.