Month: September 2018

Our second week exploring Greece with Joni, Morgan and Clayton

paros

We boarded a ferry in Athens to take us on a 4 hour trip to Paros. It’s a bit confusing, because in our first week we visited POROS which is in the Saranac Islands. PAROS is in the Cyclade Islands.
This ferry was massive! they had everything from mopeds and motorcycles to cars to large trucks and construction equipment board!
The lounge area was very plush; much like a cruise liner!
I snapped this picture because they misspelled ANEKA(our granddaughter’s name)!
The host from the VRBO that Jan booked for us picked us up at the ferry landing that night at about 10:00PM! What service! This was where we stayed for our week in Paros. A very nice home overlooking the town and water.

Each of the 3 bedrooms had an adjoining patio area as well as this one off the front of the house.

Nicely appointed kitchen.

Living room.
Two very nice bathrooms.

Our bedroom was spacious!
While we were lounging at the house one day these people were having a bit of a problem. It looked like the guy driving the lead ATV took the corner a bit fast and hit the stone wall. No doubt who won that battle!
The next morning, Sunday, after our arrival, our host took us into town to do grocery shopping. Again, what service. Monday morning he again took us into town to get our rental car for the week. This beach picture was taken after we began exploring the town.

In our exploring we found this lovely little upstairs restaurant to have lunch. Those are grapevines in the rafters.

While exploring the area we noticed this guy delivering potatoes to the restaurant we just ate at.
ALL of these were delivered; they go through a LOT of potatoes apparently!
Some views from the park across the street from that restaurant.

We loved the traditional whitewash and blue with all the beautiful flowers!

As we explored the island we found this Butterfly Valley. Very interesting!
The butterflies looked more like pretty moths in their shape. It was difficult to capture on camera, but in flight the underside of their wings were bright orange.
This isn’t butterflies, but I liked the interesting stone patterns!

In our travels we came across this interesting use for an old VW convertible!
Back in town we did some walking, exploring the streets of Paros. A beautiful town!

And of course Morgan and Clayton found another “friend”!

While exploring we found the Frankish Castle. They’ve built the structures on top of its ruins, leaving much of it intact! Pretty cool!

Notice the pigeon deterents?
One of the many small shrines we came across in Greece.
And one of the many old churches. All very interesting!

Nice old Harley!
One of the high speed ferry boats!
On one of our last days there we visited this beach which was a short walk down the hill from our house.

Lunch and a cold beer on the beach; Life is Good!

day trip by boat to delos and mykonos

We went down to the harbor and took a boat for a day tour of Delos and Mykonos.
the island of Delos, in the center of the Cyclades, is one of the most important islands in Greek mythology according to what I’ve read. Very interesting to see in person for sure!
And, of course, more cats!

And lizards!
These drawings and explanations help decipher exactly what you’re looking at.

This was a very hot, dry area; it’s amazing the plants can grow right out of the rubble and rock!
This guy could care less, he has his shady spot!
Some more pieces waiting until they figure out where they fit.
This is part of the extensive underground viaduct network.

This green area was a lake that supplied their fresh water.

Some more of the viaduct network.
One of the many wells.
This loan sea shell was just sitting on one of the walls!

One of the tile murals, still partially intact!

Inside the adjacent museum they had the more delicate pieces they wanted preserved.
This is an overview map of the area.

This was “interesting”!
Back outside, this place seemed to go on forever; it was huge!

This entry stone was well worn after thousands of years of footsteps on it!

Some of the carvings were amazingly still pretty much intact!

Yet another cat of Greece!
Our grandson Reeve, who is a whiz at Legos, could help them put this area back together in no time!

Cleopatra even had a place here!

I really was intrigued with these plants! They’re kind of a thistle I think.

Well, back to the boat and on to Mykonos.

mykonos

We could see right away this was a pretty ritzy place! I wonder if “this is  Mine” belongs to the ex husband or ex wife?

The town was beautiful in the Greek traditional theme.

Mega-Yacht row!

I think that Shark is Jimmy’s cousin!
Gelato Joni!
One more traditional blue door!
Well, back to Paros and home soon!

antiparos

Jan, Joni and I decided to make one last side trip on the way to the airport to Antiparos. It was a short 15 minute ferry ride. Most of that time was the ferry turning around to dock! Antiparos was gorgeous and not crowded at all!

On a suggestion from a local we went to this seafood restaurant on the other side of the island; about a 10-15 minute drive. So glad we did!

The view was wonderful and so was the food!

drying fish and octopus. YUM!
The water here is so amazingly clear!

One last water view. Goodby Greece, we love you!

Part 3 of our week aboard the Anna II

aegina and moni island

Arriving at Aegina.

Our carriage awaits! (Not really, I just got the photo)

Toys, toys, toys!

A floating produce stand!

While we were there, Jan, Joni, Teresa and I decided to take this boat trip over to Moni Island. It sounded like an interesting trip!

While we did that, Clayton and Morgan chose to try an ATV tour of the area. Clayton, where are we going again?
Joni’s coming prepared for the beach!
Here’s the luxurious pier at Moni Island!
The beach view from our shaded chairs; beautiful water!
Joni enjoying the refreshing water!

Jan even convinced me that water in the 70’s was warm enough!

The most unique thing about this island is the free roaming and very friendly reindeer ( the sign said wild goats called Kri kri, but all we saw were these reindeer!) and peacocks!

I took a short hike to the other side of the island to see what was there.
From up there you could get a good overall view of this beautiful cove and the beach.
Others were watching too!
This view is looking towards the other side of the island; apparently where all the mega-yachts hang out!

This one had its own floating pier to relax on!

In contrast to all the beauty was this abandoned structure up there. Apparently used for clandestine night partying!

I liked the contrast in this photo of the dilapidated structure with the multi-million dollar yacht in the background!
Back in Aegina for our last evening together. What a fabulous week!

After a fun day of exploring Moni Island and the others doing their exploring it was time for our last evening dinner together. Jorge and Kathy knew the perfect place!

Time for dinner and we’re all starving!
The place Jorge and Kathy took us did NOT disappoint! So much scrumptious food!

Part 2 of our week aboard the Anna II

epidavros- bus trip to Nafplio and the fortress of palamidi

We took bus from Epidavros up to a mountain town called Nafplio to see the town and the Fortress of Palamidi.
This fortress was quite amazing, very well preserved. It was built by the Venitians around 1686.
This little guy is still building!

One of the many gun ports looking down on the city and bay below.
This energetic fellow road his bike up to the fortress, then proceeded to run all of the many stairs there!
They obviously had no OSHA restrictions for stair or landing railings! This string should do the job though!

There’s the Energizer Bunny again!

At the top of the fortress looking out to the bay

A tall ship in the bay.
There was also this small fortress down in the bay.

Joni enjoying the sights.
Views of the city below past the massive handrail on the edge of this area!

back on the anna ii and on to poros

We’re underway again, on to see Poros.

Time for a nap Clayton?

Our first view of Poros.
There were several homes and other interesting things to see on our way into port.

This small island home was on our way into port, pretty cool!

Docked and ready to explore!
But first, supplies!
This fountain mermaid was right behind us where we were docked.

Kathy and Jorge’s favorite bakery was right close too! YUM!!

We took a short walk to dinner along this beautiful bay.

And of course we saw some spectacular sunset views on our way back!

next stop, ermioni

Arriving in Ermioni, a short trip from Poros.
It of course has the typical cute blue and white buildings!

It looks like someone is going to have fun!

There’s Jan’s purple house!
I saw this little fella while we were docking at the the pier!
Bougainvilla everywhere, and in so many different colors!

We took a walk along the water to find somewhere for lunch. Such a beautiful place!
We found lunch! We didn’t eat here, but it sure looked yummy!

Stairs to the water.
Teresa couldn’t resist them!

And of course, blue doors!
Check out the Hibiscus; they are climbing these two trees, all the flowering plants like this climate!!

For a change, some orange doors!
I guess in Greece they drive their mopeds until the wheels fall off!

 

The next morning we were off again, back to Poros. The boat was having a problem with the anchor so we needed to go back there for the repairs.
It was a windy day finally and we were going to get to actually sail; Jorge is studying hard!
We’re on our way!
Up go the sails!

Morgan at the helm!

She leans a bit more under sail!
Joni observing.
Here’s my one artsy/engineer picture!
Joni manning (womaning?) the lines.
Jorge is playing solitaire I think!
Joni taking her turn at the helm.
Clayton’s turn at the helm.
Back to Poros!

stay tuned for our time aboard the anna ii, part 3………

 

 

 

 

Our Week Aboard the Anna II, Part One

athens to korfus

After enjoying the sights in and around Athens for 3 days  it was time to board the beautiful Anna II for our week roaming the Saronic Islands of Greece with our Captain Jorge and his first mate, Kathy. First stop was Korfus.
Jorge getting ready to head out.
Once out of the port, our first day of sailing (by motor, no wind) began.
It was a bit cooler and cloudy than we expected, but fun to be out on the water anyway! Jorge of course was flying his Uruguay flag!

One of the fast ferries passing by; pretty impressive speed for such a large ferry!
One of the hundreds of small islands in the area
After a short sail, about 3-4 hours, we arrived at our first port called Korfus.

As we got closer we could see our destination, Papa Georges. A cool little restaurant run by a friend of Jorge and Kathy’s, Papa George!
Papa George (the gentleman on the right with his arms crossed, who is 88 years old) and his crew directed us into our spot right in front of his establishment.
Once docked and set for the night, we took a walk to explore this quaint little Greek village.

And of course there were cats! Not really sure what was going on here, perhaps he fell asleep while performing?

Some beautiful ironwork.

Not all the boats were exactly seaworthy, but still a good photo opportunity!

Some children playing in the water throwing pebbles.
Another not-so-seaworthy boat!
Heading to the local market for supplies.
This guy put his own walkway in the water to his mooring spot!

After a nice stay in Korfus and exploring, the next morning  we were off to our next port. Kathy and Clayton pulling up the anchor; it’s a group effort (my job is documentation!)

korfus to epidavros

Buds for life!

This appeared to be some sort of fish or shellfish farm as we entered our next port. Notice the small camper?
Arriving at our next port, Epidavros.

There’s a campground! We should’ve brought ours!

Another beautiful quaint little Greek village!

Teresa and Joni casting our mooring lines.
Lines tied up, anchor set, in for the evening!

Oh look Joni, Gellato! Right on the way to the market!
Christina’s Cafe, one of our favorite restaurants of the trip!

We had dinner and the next day’s breakfast here, nice little restaurant with tables on the pier.
With Juniper bushes in front too.

And of course; more cats and kittens!
Picturesque scene!
And the local market.
Beautiful flowers everywhere in Greece!

And more cats! Mama and her kittens.
This little fella was particularly cute!
We’re waiting for the bus to take us up to visit a nearby ruins of Epidavros.

the ruins of epidavros

The theater was the main part of this ruins. astonishingly well preserved for being thousands of years old!

Amazing fine details!
This guide was demonstrating to his class the acoustics of the theater by clapping their hands and listening to the reverberations it caused; very interesting!

These were part of the underground sewer system for rain runoff.
As you can see it appears only the front row of seats had backs, the rest were just bleacher-like. I’m assuming the front row was for royalty.

Some of us went all the way to the top. I saw no need since I had my new 18-300 zoom lens!

And of course, the always present Greek cats!

The accompanying museum was also very interesting.

I was fascinated by all the lion heads they used.

Seen here is a restored piece; the white marble is the restored part.

stay tuned for part two of our week aboard the anna ii with captain jorge and first mate kathy………