Lighthouses and Good Food
12 agosto 2022, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
I slept soooo well last night. Probably had something to do with yesterday's drive. The bed is a bouncy one and a little soft for me but I guess it was okay. It is raining when I get up but it will clear later. I want to see a couple of lighthouses today.
I made it to the first one. It is about 40 minutes away. The road to get there is a little sketchy but my trusty Escape handles the road well. The road is a dirt road and goes on for about 3 kms. When I get to the parking lot, I see not one but two trucks that have pulled 5th wheels through that mess!
This lighthouse is called Pointe-a-la-Renommee. They have a whole exhibit there, so get ready for your history lesson. The first lighthouse was built in 1880 and was a wood construction. This one did not weather well and was replaced in 1907 with a steel one that is there today. A little about the life of the lighthouse keeper. He not only had to keep the lighthouse lit (fueling it with oil every 3 hours/24 hours a day) but in foggy weather he had to keep the fog horn going (wood stoked) continuously as well. The really neat thing about the lighthouse is that this is where the first wireless transmission system in Canada. This was installed by the Guglielmo Marconi (famous Italian inventor of wireless transmission) company. This system allowed for communication with the passing ships. It was also used for telegraph messages and radio transmission. They have a wonderful exhibit on Marconi there which is very interactive. They also have a wonderful interactive video giving the history of the lighthouse.
This lighthouse was decommissioned in 1975. It was then moved to a park in Quebec City. This outraged the locals and it took them 20 years to bring it back. The buildings currently at the site are all replicas of the original buildings and the lighthouse is back where it belongs. This was a marvelous exhibit! After which you can walk along the trails and just take in the beautiful scenery.
The next lighthouse of the day was Cap Madeleine. This one did not have an exhibit, so I just took a couple of pictures. They do have a campground (of sorts) there. Only $20.00/night. I noticed quite a few campgrounds along the way. I’m not sure what kind of services they have but I can say most of them have killer views of the coast line!
One thing about this area is the amount of time it takes you to drive from one area to another. I was going to head to a third lighthouse but I only had a couple of hours until sunset and didn’t want to drive home in the dark. You know that is when I’d meet that moose on some lonely stretch of road up in the mountains! So instead, I went to dinner.
I found a place called Captainerie in Riviere-Madel. This was a place at one of the local ports where a few fishing vessels were moored. I saw a sign and followed it. Thank goodness I did!! They usually take reservations but they had a table that was open for an hour. I jumped at it. This has been the best food I have had this side of the Atlantic in forever. I ordered was they called a rib steak. This was marinated and cooked to perfection! Juicy, tender, flavourful. I was in culinary heaven. The salad and fries were okay. The wine was very good. The price $24.00 for the dinner, was excellent! The view was great! I’m so glad I stopped.
It took me another 1.5 hours to get home and the shadows were getting very long by this time. I’m glad I didn’t do the third lighthouse.Leggi altro
Rimouski to Gaspe
11 agosto 2022, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Today started off okay. I got a good start at around 9 AM. The first few hours were nice. I stopped at a rest stop and had some lunch. I like having the stuff in the cooler. This is where the views just kept getting better the further I went. This region reminds me of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia. The mountains and shale with the pines and white birch. Absolutely stunning to drive through. However, the drive itself was terrible.
As with the rest of Canada, summer is road construction season! So, every 10 kms you had construction. They would shut it down to one lane and have traffic alternate using the one lane! This of course made the delays longer. This combined with small communities where the speed was reduced to 50 kms made for a long day of travel. On top of that I missed one of the turns on the Garmin and increased the trip by 150 kms. I thought it would be that far, but it was. Needless to say, I was very glad when I pulled into my home for the next 3 nights. I’m staying in a motel that has a kitchenette. I’m hoping to get some hiking in but they are calling for rain. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
The pictures don’t do it justice to the scenery that I came through but take a look and see for yourself. Last note here. I want a refund because they had signs saying that there were moose but I didn’t see any!Leggi altro
One night in Rimouski
10 agosto 2022, Canada ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
August 10th: Montreal to Rimouski
Today I got up early and went to get my breakfast at the bakery. I headed off around 9:30 AM. Getting out of Montreal and on my way was fairly simple. I have created a trip on my Garmin and so far it is working well. The drive I’m doing is along the TransCanada highway. Traffic is good and the weather is overcast again and the temperature is about 20 degrees. It is actually very scenic. The farther I get the more scenic it gets. This route follows the St. Lawrence River and goes through rich farm land which then turns into a more rugged country side. You can see hills and valleys and the trees are turning more to evergreens and white birch. You know you are heading farther north when you see white birch.
I stopped at a rest stop a couple of hours in to have a bathroom break and stretch my legs. This was a very nice rest stop that had flush toilets and a nice picnic area. You could take a walk around the place and get the blood flowing again. I don’t want to just drive straight through since my back will be toast in no time flat. So, I make a loop of the rest area, grab a croissant and some water and head back out.
I stop for gas and then for lunch. I make to Rimouski by around 4:30 PM. The place I booked here is for one night only. It is nothing special and unfortunetly is on a busy street with train tracks across the street. Not sure how good I’ll sleep tonight. It is clean though and has everything I need for one night. I take a walk down to the river and find a little place where I pickup some cheese, bread and sliced ham for dinner. This is all I really need. I head back to the room and have a nice shower, some dinner and write up my blog.
Tomorrow, I head to the Gaspe region for a few days. See you then.
I went down to the water this morning. They have a very nice waterfront area. There are stores, restaurants and bars. The view was nice (tide was out)Leggi altro
Hamilton to Montreal
8 agosto 2022, Canada ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Hi everyone. This trip is different from the last one. This is a driving trip to the east coast of Canada. I'm going for about 7 weeks. I am going to write this one a little different as well. I plan to write it based on the towns I'm in instead of each day adding a new entry. I will be having driving days when nothing really of note will be happening, so I thought this would be a better way of doing things. Let me know if you like it.
I packed my Escape and brought the cooler with me for keeping stuff cold along the way. I haven’t been really worried about packing too much because I have the Escape. I put a couple of shelving racks in the back to hold little totes with shoes, kitchen stuff, camera bag, etc. I think this will work well for this trip. I want to see how this works because I’m planning on taking a 4-month trip next year to the west coast. (Stay tuned!)
Let the trip begin: Hamilton to Montreal:
I left on Monday August 8th at 5:45 AM. I wanted to beat the Toronto traffic so I thought leaving early would be a good idea. The traffic wasn’t really bad through Toronto, just slow downs but not stopped. So I guess my plan worked. Still took an hour to get through Toronto though. It is an overcast day today which will be good for driving. Once you get past Toronto it’s smooth sailing. Put on some counrty music and just watch the scenery go by. (As well as driving in a safe manner.)
I only had to stop once for gas and a bite to eat and make it to Montreal by around 2 PM. Laura meets me and we find a place to park. They shut down Mont-Royal Avenue to cars in the summer and it becomes a pedestrian walkway. So, we find a side street for parking. Only a block from where I’m staying. I am staying at a place I have stayed before in February. It is only two blocks from Laura’s and two blocks and two store fronts from the best croissants I have ever tasted. (Yes, there will be lots of food in this blog as well!) I take up my stuff and then head back to Laura’s to catch up on family stuff. I have baked her some oatmeal cookies and brought the book I made from the Greece blog for her to see. Laura has to work and I’m tired from driving, so I make an early night of it.
On Tuesday, Laura and I do what we do best. Go shopping! I’m not really a shopper but there are a few stores that I like. I pick up some clothes and a couple of pairs of sandals. The most fun I have is dressing Laura and she has no objections to me having fun. We stop for lunch at a crepe restaurant and then continue on. Laura has found a store that sells clothes based on the 50’s and 60’s! Laura has the figure for this, so I splurge for a few outfits. Check out the pictures! She even has crinolines on underneath them!
Afterwards we head back to get cleaned up for dinner. We are having dinner with Laura’s friends; Kate and Zack. Laura went to school with Kate and I like the pair of them. We have dinner at a place called Boris Bistro. ( http://borisbistro.com/en ) This is a very nice place that is certified gluten free (for Laura). It has an indoor seating area but the outside terrace is so much nicer. It has a nicer menu for a more upscale dining experience. I chose the duck confit and it was wonderful. It was not really that expensive considering we all had a drink and dessert. Kate and Zack are planning to take a motorcycle trip to the tip of South America. I think this is going to be a year long adventure for them. I hope they will do a blog so we can keep up with them. I brought my Greece book for them to see. They were following the blog on line and they both liked the idea of it turning into a hardcover book. We had a great time with these two! When I was in Greece, I was knitting them each a pair of socks to take on their trip, so I hope they liked them. I’m looking forward to seeing them again in September on my return visit.
After dinner I head back with Laura. We part ways and I head home to pack up for tomorrow. I will be heading to Rimouski and that will be about a 6-hour drive. Talk to you later!Leggi altro
ViaggiatoreOh boy! On the Road Again🎶 Looking forward to traveling with you! Thank you for sharing!
ViaggiatoreLeave a comment …lead on! I hope to follow suit with our next trip' Happy blogging!
I'm Home
18 giugno 2022, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
I’m up at 6:00 AM today because I have to leave by 8:00 AM. I have my morning coffee on the balcony and quietly say goodbye to Greece. My taxi driver tells me the zoo animals have been moved out to a different zoo where they have more space and just the turtles are left. One mystery solved.
Here is my saga with Air Canada. I called last night (you don’t actually get a person; you have to wait for a call back). This has to be done on my Canadian Sim card, since the Air Canada international number doesn’t work! So, I wait my 3 hours for a call back and get someone on the phone. I’m trying to get upgraded to Business Class. She is very nice and I feel sorry for these operators because Air Canada is messing with so many people, they must have a lot of hostile calls. I ask about switching my seat and she tells me to contact my travel agent. I tell her that Air Canada has locked out my reservation and my travel agent cannot do anything. She tries to access my reservations and she can’t get in either. I am put on hold (again!) while she gets a hold of IT. (We know this is not going to end well, if IT has to get involved) She comes back on line and says that if I want Business Class it will be $4500.00 more, on top of what I have already paid!!!! I explain that I have been trying for a month to do this and I don’t know why I should have to pay todays price for Business, when a month ago it was $1500.00. She says that she is sorry but she can’t do anything else. She told me to get to the airport early and maybe they can do something on their end.
I get to the airport early and am the second person waiting to talk to someone when they open. Just as an aside, I am doing better than the other guy because his Air Canada flight has been cancelled and rebooked for 3 days later. He had to be back at work yesterday.
The counter staff tell me that the flight is now fully booked and I’m screwed. Does anyone think I’m flying Air Canada again????
I pay to get into a lounge because I now have 4 hours to wait for my flight, since they have delayed the flight by another hour. I may get off the ground, I may not.
Well, I got off the ground at 2:30, that is a 1:45 minute delay. I did not get upgraded but at least I have an aisle seat. I do notice that there were empty seats in Premium Economy and Business Class. I’m not peeved, honest! The food is not bad, the service is not bad, the seat is uncomfortable, but it is only for 10 hours, right? I do manage to get up and walk around a bit. I downloaded 2 movies, so I watch those, do some knitting (stop laughing, it goes with me everywhere!).
We make it to Toronto, and we are told that only those with connecting flights are allowed off because TSA can’t handle the numbers of people. Yeah, more time in my seat. After an hour they let off 75 people at a time. I made sure I was number 67! I make it through Customs get my luggage and head out.
I get my limo home and make it home by 7:00 PM. This has been a 17:00 travel day! I’m bushed! I have just enough energy to text the kids and let them know I’m home and then hit the sack.
Trip stats (for those of you who might be interested):
Number of Countries: 3
Number of Day: 30
Number of Footprints: 30
Number of Photos: 322
Number of Kilometers: 18,100
Number of Smiles: Infinite!Leggi altro
Last Day In Greece
17 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Last day in Greece. I have my breakfast and relax for a bit before going out. I head out in the afternoon to the National Gardens which are by the Parliament Buildings. They are a few city blocks in size and have paths wandering through. The towering trees offer plenty of shade from the heat. Today is hot with sun (seems the norm here). There are plaques on the trees but they are all Greek to me. (I had to throw that one in.) They have built little nooks and crannies here and there with benches for people to have their lunch, a coffee or just sit and relax. There are not many flowers here or I have the wrong time of year. It seems to be mostly very tall, very old trees. The trees do a good job of drowning out the noise from the traffic and makes it quite enjoyable in the middle of a metropolis. I head over to the zoo (I’m a sucker for animals) but it is closed! I wander a bit farther and come up to a turtle pond. Well, there animals at least.
Next to the gardens is an area of the city called Plaka. It is a subdivision that has many shops and restaurants. I head over to there for some dinner. I find a place called Saita Taverna. It has your typical outdoor seating and is busy. Perfect combination for good food. I find a seat and order a Greek salad with a lamb casserole that comes with French fries and a glass of wine. I don’t have lamb very often since it is quite fatty but man is it good. This one is with carrots and gravy and is nice and tender, it just falls off the bone. The salad is nice and crisp and the atmosphere pleasant.
After dinner I walk back to my place to start the packing process.
On the way home I stop at a wine store. I walk in to put up some wine for my last night here. I explain that I would like a dry white. The lady asks me how much I want, I’m a little taken a back. Apparently, they sell wine out of the barrel in 1-, 1.5- or 2-liter bottles. You also get to ‘taste test’ prior to buying. This is for local wines. They also have bottles if you prefer a different wine from a different area. How cool is that?? I can walk in and get a liter of wine for 3 Euros poured directly from the barrel! Yeah, I like Greece. I walk a little further and pick up a dessert that is absolutely delicious. Yes, pictures are included!Leggi altro
Viaggiatore🤣 nice pun! Sounds amazing, I saw a jewelry booth, what did you get there?. Have a good flight home!!
I got here on the 18th for your adventures on the 17th- so strange! :) Hope your do a post-trip blog too! Ive learned from your adventured! Safe Home! [Ellen Andrews-Eydt]
The Main Event. I Made It To The Top!
16 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Hi there, only two more days in my trip left. After my nutritious and delicious breakfast, I throw on the sunscreen and head out for the tourist highlight of my trip. Yes, I am going to climb (well, walk but I’m sure it will feel like a climb!) up to the Acropolis in Athens. If you check the definition (I already did for you) acropolis means a citadel of ancient Greece. Hence, you have to name the city. If you go back to the beginning in Rhodes, I talk about the acropolis in Lindros.
Okay, I’ll stop being analytical. It is bright sunshine and a little warm (26o C). I grab a bottle of water and set off. My Google Maps says 15 minutes. I am starting realize that Google Maps is a little subjective. I say this because 15 minutes is actually 25 minutes and that is to the bottom of the acropolis. The stairs up to it is another 20 minutes (exertion breaks included to gulp water!).
The walkway up has olive trees and what may have been shops where merchants sold their wares and lived. Today it is a pleasant place to get out of the sun and buffers you from the noise of a modern-day city.
So, after making it to the top, I am quite proud of myself. Yes, there are plenty of other people here but I’m still proud I made it.
One of the first sites you come upon is the Theatre of Dionysos. This is a large open-air theatre can hold up to 5000 people (bring your own seat cushion!) This is where ancient plays were performed. Today they actually have performances here as well. I bet the acoustics are great. (I included a photo of this summers performances)
At the top of hill, you see The Temple of Athena Nike. A small but important temple where women of day who were pregnant would go to bring offerings for a successful pregnancy. The view from up here is as well. Athens is really a very large city. I know that sounds silly, but I have been on islands for the past month where population of the major town was 10,000 people. Athens has over 3 million people.
Back on track now. The walkway up here is marble and very slippery, even when there is no rain! I am very careful of my footing because I’m not sure how they get a stretcher up here. The imposing structure behind me, otherwise know as the Parthenon it massive. You are not allowed inside it but you can walk around it. You have to wonder how the marble slabs were erected. I’m sure it is somewhere on Google. Built between 447 and 437 BC it stands almost 14 meters high and is 73 meter long and 34 meters wide. The columns are ‘slices’ of marble that are carved and then placed one on top of the other. It is not hugely busy when I’m there so I can take my time and wander back in my mind to flowing robes, gold jewelry and educated people wandering around doing their day-to-day business.
As I wander around, I look off into the distance. There is a monument quite far away. I later check on line to find out it is the Monument of Filopappos, who was a prominent consul and administrator of the time. I don’t know if my pictures do it justice, but you can come here and check it out. (Hint, there is climbing involved!).
Another word of warning is that there is no shade up here. If it rains, you and your camera equipment get wet. There is also no amenities like a bathroom or water, there are at the bottom of the hill, so be prepared. After I get my fill of history, I head back down slowly. (Marble is just as slippery going down). I make it to the bottom and am in need of food and drink.
On my way home I find a restaurant called El Greco. It is not too busy and it has shade. I have a nice meal with a salad and souvlaki with a glass of wine. There wine here is very good. I always ask for a local wine and have never been disappointed. I head home for a shower and some much needed rest.Leggi altro
The Museum and Excavation Site
15 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Good morning, all! The bed here is super comfy and I don’t think I moved all night. They have roll down window ‘shutters’ here (I’ve seen these elsewhere in Europe) and they act like total blackout blinds and noise barriers. You can have them all the up or down or a partial way. (Wish I had these at home on night shift!) I have my breakfast of yogurt, fresh fruit, muesli, and honey. The place I’ve rented is fairly close to the main attractions so I can walk. Today I’m going to the Acropolis Museum.
It is a very warm walk (up hill) to the museum. It is only 15 minutes (according to Google Maps) but it seems longer. Along the way I notice that the trees have oranges on them. They have planted orange trees up and down the street. It looks like they are ready to pick as well. A quick Google search, tells me that these are bitter oranges and are not good for eating. Still, it looks pretty!
The museum is a very modern building covering some very ancient ruins. The building was started in 2004 and opened in 2009. The exhibits inside are wonderful, however the exhibits underneath is surprising. As you walk up to the entrance the walk way is actually glass. I normally hate these but this one show that the museum was built over an old ancient settlement that dates from the 7th-9th century AD that has been excavated! How cool is that? I have to talk a little about how the building was constructed. The old settlement had been found in 1989 when they were excavating for the current building. Excavation was stopped while the settlement could be studied. It was then decided to use a floating design for the building so that the settlement would not be ruined. Now you can see the exhibits inside the museum and under the museum.
Several of the artifacts in the museum are very well displayed and the stone column statues of the women were actually moved here from the Acropolis and restored for preservation. After viewing all the exhibits, you can then wander underneath the building on walk-ways to check out the city below the museum. You can actually see the clay pipes used for plumbing. You can also see where they would have had outside patio space. Amazing! Check out the pictures.
After this I head for some late lunch/early dinner at a place in a little square on my way home. It has been a pleasant day.
I could see the Acropolis staring down at me from the museum, goading me to walk up and check it out. That will be tomorrow’s adventure!Leggi altro
Last Stop....Athens
14 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ 🌙 26 °C
I’m in Athens! Final leg of this journey. I grab a taxi to my last place and follow the directions to get the keys. Hey, guess what? No stairs!!! I have an elevator!! Very small but an elevator none the less. I’m on the 5th floor, so in goes the luggage and me. Up we go! This place is located in central Athens. There are local shops for food and groceries. It feels like a regular residential neighbourhood. I have a balcony that overlooks the street. This place is clean, modern and spacious. It also has a nice bathroom, mirrors and two working air conditioners! I get settled in and head out for some groceries. I had lunch in Syros, so just a little bit will do for dinner tonight.
I poke around the apartment here and find a washer, ironing board, iron, plenty of hangers in the closet. The kitchen is well equipped. It even has a microwave! This is the first one I have seen in Greece. It must be the difference between the mainland and the islands. The other first was a toaster. Yep, none of those on the islands either.
I hop in the shower and thoroughly enjoy the rain shower and so much room in the shower. The last place I had, the shower curtain kept sticking to my butt and the taps were sticking in my stomach. This one just makes you go AHH! I throw in a load of laundry and make myself something to eat. I check out what I have planned for Athens and how to get there.
Next thing I know, it is time for bed.Leggi altro
I Found a Roman Catholic Church!
13 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Today is the last full day in Syros so I’m taking myself up, up, and away to the Ano Syros. This is the original town that was built high on a hill (Surprise!) to keep the marauding pirates at bay (literally!). Back in the day, pirates would plunder coastal villages, so this one was built high up. Now, I would like to elude to the fact that I walked up (you can, if your in your 20’s and are fitter than I was in my 20’s) but I walked down to the port and grabbed a taxi. He dropped me off at the beginning of the town (no roads up here) and I start my climb.
I have come to see the Cathedral of St George. Originally built in 1200’s it was destroyed in 1617 by the Turks, who then hanged the bishop and his vicar. In 1652 it became the cathedral for the Roman Catholic diocese for Syros and Mykonos. There are only 50,000 Roman Catholics in Greece (left over from the Venetian rule) and most live on Syros. This is not a huge church as other cathedrals are in Europe however; it is just a serene and beautiful. The walk up is through little paths that lead to people’s homes. I have no idea how people found their way in these little villages. They must have known everyone and just kept thinking: “Turn left at Mary’s house, up three sets of stairs, turn left at Peter’s house with the cat, up two sets of stairs, turn right and Paul’s house is the first one on the right”. Other than a different house plant on the stoop, I can’t tell the difference.
I do make it up to the church (there are signs and my trusty Google Maps). There are not many people up here today, if I have passed 6 people the entire time that would be pushing it. The church sits at the very top of the mountain and has a commanding view of Ermoupoli below. It is quiet and peaceful up here. The church has columns and a walkway around the entrance to shade you from the elements. Inside the church is cool and quiet. It has the same blue colour of the Orthodox churches I have been in, which makes me think that this is just the colours in Greece and not a secular thing. It looks as if some repair work is being done on the ceiling but the overall effect is very nice. There are some wonderful paintings but no stained glass that you would expect in a cathedral. The baptism is the oldest part of the cathedral and is off to the one side of the main church. There is a grave stone inside the church but I couldn’t find out who is buried there.
I leave the church and make my way down the village to the camara which is where the village begins. On my way, I find sleeping cats, houses adorned with flower pots on their door steps and only one other person. I do see a pharmacy but no other stores. Where do they get groceries? Do they drive down to Ermoupoli for their food and stuff? Don’t know. When I get to the bottom, I find a taxi dropping someone else off. Bonus!!! I ask if he will take me back to port and hop in. Yeah, I’m a wimp but I have more than made my step count every day (most of it up stairs and hills!).
Back in Ermoupoli, I pick a restaurant for dinner. This place was called Mammo and was on the main port street. Service was awful, food mediocre, the view is what saved it. I ordered an appetizer, glass of white wine and a main. The main course came, with no wine or appetizer. I called the waitress over (someone else delivered the dish) and she went and got the rest of my order. She never came back to check on me. I had to get up and walk into the main part of the restaurant to pay. Guess how much her tip was!
I head back to my place and pack. Tomorrow I’m off to my final destination in Greece, which is Athens. Talk to you there!Leggi altro
Saint Nikolas and the Ritzy Area
12 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
This morning I had brunch at a place called Jar, near the town square. It is located in a little alley way and has limited seating. I was lucky to get a table. They have a varied breakfast and lunch menu and a pleasant atmosphere. The staff are nice and attentive. I had the omelet with a frappe.
After brunch, I went to see the church of St. Nikolas. It is a large church that is in a different part of Ermoupolis town. This is the part where wealthy merchants used to live is called the Vaporia Quarter. It is dominated by Saint Nikolas Church. There is a monument out in the courtyard. I'm not sure what it means but it looked interesting. Anybody have better Greek than me? This is a Greek Orthodox church and is beautiful. It is very much influenced by the Venetian architecture of the area. The columns in the front give it a very old world feel. The service was just getting out when I went in, so there were still people milling about. I did get some pictures though, check them out below. The church was started in 1848 and completed in 1870. It is very ornate, which seems to be in keeping with other Orthodox churches that I have seen. It also has the slate blue colouring in the ceilings.
After the church, I proceeded to walk down some of the other streets. Here you find cobblestones and narrow walkways to the homes with glimpses of the sea. I went down one particular walkway and got a great photo of the local swimming spot. Ermoupolis does not have a beach but it does have these cement slabs that were probably used for boats and have now been re-purposed as a swimming platform. A lot of the homes in this area are being restored and turned into residence or boutique hotels. I have included a photo of the port I took on my way back to town, just so you could get an idea of how big the place is.
It is a pleasant day out with a little overcast and a nice breeze. Thank goodness, otherwise this would have been a very hot walk. I meander back to my place and enjoy an evening at home. I love the views from my first-floor window. We have a full moon tonight and it looks very pretty shining on the water.Leggi altro
Shopping and Cooking
11 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
After a good night sleep, I have my coffee and breakfast (yogurt, honey, sliced plum and muesli). I head down to the water area to get some pictures of the waterfront. I should mention that Syros is not your typical tourist island. It is actually the Administrative Capital of the Cyclades Islands. Therefore, although there is a lot to see for tourists, this island does not ‘shutdown’ in the winter months. The restaurants and hotels are open all year. There are 25,000 residents that live here year round.
It is hot today and my clothing choices are too hot for here. I spot a little shop with cooler looking cloths. The lady there helps me find a few pieces that are much cooler (linen vs the cotton I brought) to wear. I actually where the pants out instead of the shorts! Now that I’m not dying of heat exhaustion, I continue down to the water and get some decent shots. I stop at a little café for a light lunch and then head home for a nap. I have a cooking class tonight and want to rest up.
The cooking class meets at the Town Hall. Elisa has sent her husband to fetch me and two other gentlemen. Guess what? We get to walk up more stairs! Yes, the 3-minute walk (I have no idea who times this but it must be a 100-meter sprinter!) takes us about 10. I do cave half way through to catch my breath and get some water in me. Once there it is a wonderful house that is also a villa with rooms to rent. Wish I had seen this place before the one I rented!!
There are 6 of us. A couple in there 40’s or early 50’s from London, the two gentlemen, also from London, who are in their 30’s and a food writer from Australia probably in her late 20’s. We have the Commonwealth very well represented!
Elisa has prepared an entirely vegetarian menu. There are two dips, an olive pie, aubergine stuffed with cheese, fava beans with a tomato sauce, a beetroot salad, peppers and tomatoes stuffed with rice and a wonderful traditional Bundt cake. Elisa explains how Greek food is simplistic in that it does not use many ingredients but the herbs used give it a wonderful flavour. The herbs primarily used are sage, mint, oregano, parsley, and garlic. Some paprika, salt and pepper, with cinnamon and cloves round out the spices used. We all start chopping, filling, take turns stirring and generally talking about where we have been and where we are going. Getting to know each other. As we go Elisa expertly guides us to create a meal we will all share up on the rooftop. This meal is delicious and so filling without being heavy in your stomach. An interesting thing about eating in Greece that I didn't really notice until Elisa mentioned it; is that food does not have to be served hot. One of the things I always fret about is timing dinner so everything is hot when it hits the table. Not so in Greece. The stuffed peppers and tomatoes are done first and they are set aside to cool. The olive pie comes out next. By the time we get everything up to the rooftop, have a relaxing toast and appitizers, our meal is still warm but not hot. The flavours have had a chance to meld and merge and everything is wonderful. Perhaps another thing to take back to Canada with me. Elisa is going to send us the recipes for all of these dishes for us to prepare at home. (The kids are never going to know what they are eating!)
Interesting side note here. The picture of the pretty flower is actually the flower of the caper bush. Capers are buds of the flower picked before they bloom. Neat huh?
It takes us about 3 hours to prepare our meal and then another 2 hours to eat and gab. By this time, it is dark and Chris and Clive offer to get me back to the main square. My night blindness is in full swing on the stairs going back down. Once at the main square there are street lights and the route home is just one street and somewhat level (for Greece!).
I make it home safe and sound and am ready for bed. Talk to you tomorrow.Leggi altro
Syros, Last Island of My Trip
10 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
I’m in Syros now. Last island before I hit the mainland and Athens. That means that I am almost finished my vacation.
I arrived at my place in Syros but as always, it was an adventure. Returning the car and having one last lunch on Tinos was no problem. The ferry over to Syros was only 35 minutes, no not much time do write or anything. I didn’t rent a car for Syros and a good thing since parking would have been a nightmare! My host gave me directions to go to a street corner basically, then look for an alley way and then a house with green shutters. Clear as mud. The street corner that my trusting Google Maps brought me to, didn’t quite look like the one in the picture he sent me. So, I called him and he said that the picture was several years old and they re-painted since then. This is the problem I have with absentee landlords. He lives in Athens and has not updated his information. When your landlord is in the area, it is much easier to get help when you need to. The walk to the place was up about 25 stairs (carrying luggage) and through an alley way (up more stairs). I’m bushed when I get to the door.
The place faces a courtyard and the place seems to be swarming with mosquitos. I finally get inside (with about 5 hungry mosquitos). The place has been locked up tight for a while (owner said 3 days) and had a strong musty smell. It is an older house and the kitchen is very old. He should have had someone air the place out this morning. Also, it is hot as outside. There is a bottle of water in the frig, thank goodness. So, I strip down, take a drink, and rest for a minute. The listing said air-conditioning but I can’t find it. There are two windows but no screens, if I open those more mosquitos will come in. There is a fan in the living room so I turn that on to at least move the air around.
This place has 2 floors and a rooftop balcony. I head upstairs and find an air conditioner on the second floor. I turn that on but it is old and has minimum air flow. I do open the windows on the second floor and turn on the fans up there as well. The place starts to air out a bit. Now for the oddities, there are 2 bedrooms and a main bathroom on the first floor (2nd floor for us Canucks). However, the wardrobe to hang all your clothes in is on the ground floor. The bathroom has no shelf space for toiletries and the sink has no vanity. The washer is on the ground floor, where you hang your clothes to dry is the rooftop balcony. (Two sets of stairs up). The kitchen is very old and I have my suspicions that is where the musty smell is coming from. The final insult to injury is: there are only two mirrors in the house; one in the bathroom (5’ off the ground) and one in the second bedroom. Both mirrors are 6” X 8”. Can’t see anything other than you face.
The good part is that the bed is comfy and there is decent water pressure. I head out for my grocery run and find a lovely pedestrian area where there are several food vendors. Yeah, all is not lost, I have found food. I make my purchases and head back for a well deserved shower and bed.
There is a church right beside me (surprise). The bells from this one start at 7:00 AM. This should be fun!
The views outside are good from the second floor and the rooftop. I have a 10-minute rain shower (first time since I have been in Greece) and it does cool things off a bit. I get some neat pictures of the cruise ship leaving and the ferry.Leggi altro
Argh! Sounds like you are living in a lighthouse, everything is on a different floor, lots of climbing stairs! Lots of ambiance tho! Love the church bells, and the views! Guess you’ll go to bed tired and sleep well! No Syros cat? Love your brave Solo Greek adventures! Foreign car rentals, and groceries, language, maps, & destinations! You are amazing! Kudos! [Ellen]
ViaggiatoreThanks for the ego boost. I had a few insecurities about my ability to pull it off.
Time for Some History - Marble Museum
9 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Okay gang, I’ve been easy on you with this blog. Not many churches, not many museums, not much history, not much education. Well, guess what? Museum and education time.
Today I went to the Museum of Marble Crafts. Yep, today we talk stone! I took my trusty little car and drove across the island. Yes, that’s right up hill, down hill, around the mountain and pretty much any other twisty, blind curve road you can think of. The views were amazing! I made it to a little town called Pyrgos to see the museum.
Apparently, Tinos is a huge marble producer from way, way back. Let’s go back to the 4th century BC. This is when the first record of marble from Tinos is documented for use in the sanctuary of Poseidon and the Amphitrite of Kionia. Through to the 2nd century AD the Romans used the Tinian marble and even exported some for use in their buildings. There is documentation of statues being made from Tinian marble all the way through the 12th century AD. During the Venetian Rule (12th to the 17th century, aren’t you feeling smarter already?) many sculptures and homes used marble from here. This kept the trade alive and was influenced by the Venetian culture as well. The Catholic Church also kept the tradesmen busy for centuries
Another interesting topic is how the marble itself gets mined. There are several colours of marble in Tinos from the white marble we all know to a green marble as well. There are pinks, greys and browns too. Back in the day they used wedges and hammers to separate the marble, now a days they actually use gunpowder to create fissures and then break the marble apart. When it gets to the next stage, steel wires on a huge machine slice the marble into sheets. It was pretty impressive. It is also very labour intensive. The marble pits are owned by families. They parse out claims on sections of marble and then they start to mine it. These plots are handed down in the family from father to son. (Or father-in-law to son-in-law). The craft itself is also handed down through the males in the family. This is a right of passage and one family has seven generations of master marble craftsmen. This was a fascinating place to go and they had a mixture of reading and videos to show you how labour intensive this process is from mining to sculpting. There is a school in Tinos that teaches young people the craft. Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?
The island is beautiful! This side of the island is starker with less vegetation but the views of the sea are everywhere. As you drive you see small villages built into the hillside. The other interesting thing here are what they call ‘dove coves’. These are structures that are built for doves to nest in. Apparently, they’re poop is used in construction and they are tasty to eat. I have a picture of one.Leggi altro
Churches and Small Villages
7 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
The bed is very comfortable here, which means a good nights sleep. You do hear the church bells loud and clear though. This is background noise for me since I have a clock at home that chimes quarterly. Time for some mundane maintenance: laundry. I throw in a load and make my coffee. I sit out on the patio and take in the gatas. There are several around here but I am not feeding them so they keep their distance. I have some breakfast (yogurt, plums and some bread with jam). While I’m waiting, I check out information on the local sights.
Since I hear the church bells that is the first place I go. I can actually walk there from where I’m staying so the car stays put. Off I go with my trusty Google Maps and play eat the dots. I head down a couple of ‘streets’ that I’m not sure could even be alleyways back home. They are very steep and narrow. Oh wait, that’s the ‘roads’ I need to take to get out of my place. Spiffy, I’ll save that for later. The church comes into view (up hill of course!) and it has to be one of the biggest I have seen in Greece so far. Greece’s main religion is Orthodox and this church is very large for an Orthodox church. The Church of Panagia Megalochari as it is called sits high above the main city in Tinos. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary who is the patron saint of Tinos and the protector of all Greece. The church came to be built in 1830 because of a reoccurring dream a nun at a local monastery had. I couldn’t go inside because there was a service being held and I didn’t want to disturb them. So the inside pictures are stock ones from the net. The reason for the red carpet is that on August 15 a feast takes place where pilgrims approach the church on their hands and knees to give thanks to the Virgin Mary. The views over the city are magnificent so check it out.
Next up is a town called Falatados. It is up in the hillsides of Tinos. The village dates back to the 14th century and where mixed farming is done. As you drive up, up, up the steep and winding roads the scenery just gets more and more beautiful. The hillsides are a barren brownish colour unless planted. They seem to be terraced to create platforms for crops. I’m assuming some are grapes but can’t tell the others. As you go the views of Tinos town and the sea are beautiful. It is about a 20-minute drive and when I get there I park on the outskirts of the village.
I just start walking the tiny little streets and am amazed at how clean and pretty the village is. I pass by a war memorial and am reminded that war affects everyone around the world. A silent reminder of mans inhumanity. Some people have decorated their little areas with colourful flowers or cacti but every place is clean. I don’t see much commerce (unless I didn’t wander in the right spots!) so I’m not sure where they get their food and stuff from. I do come across a church and this one does not have a service so I can go inside. This church is the Ag. Ioannis Church and it is Orthodox as well. I am the only person in here and it is very quiet and peaceful. The ceilings are a blue-gray in colour and I do get some pictures. It is very ornate and is probably quite pretty when all the candles are lit.
I see a few people but not many as I walk the rest of the way. When I’ve seen everything I wish to, I head back to the car. There is a restaurant near where I parked, so lunch/dinner time it is. This is a nice-looking place with a view over the valley and fields. I take a seat and a lady comes over with a menu. I quickly figure out that she doesn’t speak English. I look at the menu and it has English on it so I point and order that way. I pull out my Google Translator to ask for a glass of wine and this works quite well. I get a cucumber and tomato salad. It comes with sliced red onions, capers and an oil and vinegar dressing served with a basket of bread. Delicious! Next up is the pork souvlaki with fries. Also, a good choice. They don’t rush you here and it is nice to just sit for a bit. I get a video call from Laura back home and I get to show her where I am. I finish up dinner with a coffee and what I think are figs done in a honey sauce. I did get some food shots this time. I actually end up taking half the salad home for a snack later. I ask the lady (through the translator) if they have bottles of wine to sell. The wine was so good, I thought I would take some back with me to enjoy. She is quite happy to oblige. The entire meal, with the wine to go, was only 25 Euros. A deal compared to the much higher prices in Santorini.
If you check the pictures really carefully, you’ll find a cloud in the sky. I had to make sure I got that one since it is a rarity here. I head back home for the night (and a glass of wine or two) and will head back out tomorrow.Leggi altro
Tinos Here I Come
6 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
New day, new island. We are on Tinos today. Since today is a travel day we can chit chat about other stuff.
I make it to the port and return the car. They were so nice there; I could leave my luggage and go grab a bite to eat since I’m early for my ferry. Their website is: https://akrogiali-rentacar.gr . I head down to the main drag and find a restaurant. I think it’s time for pasta. I pick a pasta and shrimp dish. (Sorry no pictures) As I’m eating a table of four sit themselves down. They are a little boisterous but great fun. My dinner comes and the shrimp are 4 huge shrimp, with the heads still on!! I don’t do heads people. I don’t even know how to fillet a fish when it comes whole. Yes, I have lived a sheltered life. After gently removing the heads, the young lady next to me said that they were the best part. Her name is Artemis Antonopoulou, I then give her the plateful. Waste not want not and all of that. We quickly introduce ourselves and I find out that they are in Greece for her sisters wedding. Three of them are from Greece and one gentleman was from London. They all live in Denmark now. I tell them about my travel plans and they love it, they tell me about these caves that they are going to see that day. Conversation goes on and Artemis asks for my Facebook link and I give her my phone. It is nice to make friends in other countries, you never know when you’ll be there.
After lunch I gave my luggage and head off to catch my ferry. The ferry ride is very nice and I arrive in Tinos with no issues. I rent another car here and I starting to think that all Greeks are pleasant (at least to us tourists who are giving them money!) A wonderful young man fills out my forms, gives me a map of the island that has highlighted spots to visit and off I go.
About cars in Greece (and I will assume the rest of Europe). They have no park gear; you have to put the car in neutral and using the parking brake. They also have cars that are manual and automatic at the same time. If you want automatic you put it in D1 location on the stick, if you want manual there is a M on the stick. Be very careful when you change from Neutral to D1. I was actually reading the contract at the rental place and asked about #7. Something about replacing license plates. They nice young man tells me that if you park somewhere that you aren’t supposed to (like a handicap spot) the police will just take you plate off the car! No that’s a deterrent. Okay watch where I park!
I make it to my place with no issue, just two minutes (uphill and sidways) from the port. Getting to port will be easy, getting back well a little more of a challenge. I went and got some food and water for my time here and settle in for a nice evening. This place is very nice as well and I have grabbed some pictures. Once again, the bathroom is amazing (wish I had one of these at home!). Great water pressure and plenty of hot water. I have a washer, so I can get some laundry done tomorrow.Leggi altro
Last Sunset In Naxos
5 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today is my last day in Naxos. It has indeed been an enjoyable time. My place is out in the country side by the sea but not far from what I need. We had an issue with no water this morning. I messaged the host and he immediately sent his uncle over to investigate. It seems that someone had turned off the intake valves and our cistern ran dry. It was fixed in a bit and I could get the dishes done.
This afternoon I head back to the same beach as yesterday. I spend the afternoon alternating between cooling off and then hiding under the umbrella to keep out of the sun. I enjoy a nice lunch of stuffed portabella mushrooms and then chicken fillets with mashed carrots. The mushrooms were especially tasty as they were stuffed with bacon (Greek bacon is more like our sliced ham) and a white cheese. A wonderful combination on the pallet. The chicken was good but a little bland for my taste.
I have said before that they don’t have stoplights here. Well, I found one! It is located on a little strip of land that connects us to the main part of town. I could figure out what it was for the entire time I was here. The lights were always green and there were no cross roads. I finally figured out what they were for while I was at the beach today. There is a small landing strip for small planes on one side of the road. The lights are to stop traffic while the plane takes off and lands. I saw a small two-seater plane yesterday very low in the sky and that is where it was headed. I didn’t think it was used anymore, guess it is.
I head back around 5 pm to grab a shower. I have to start packing tonight since I leave in the morning. I enjoy one last dinner on the patio with a glass of wine or two (have to finish the bottle before tomorrow). Enjoy one last sunset and get some of the packing done. Tomorrow is Tinos and more adventures.
Good night.Leggi altro
Day At The Beach, Again
4 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Hi there, have I told you how much I love my peace and quiet? I have one neighbour and nothing but ocean views. The doves are a little noisy in the morning, the sea crashing the shore but nothing I can’t handle.
The nice man next, mid 60's?, is from Belgium. He is a native Greek who moved to Belgium in the mid 70's. Anyway, we have be chit chatting off and on since I got here. Well today he made me breakfast! He had these little pastries filled with feta cheese and the glass of 'milk' is actually a cross between milk and a sour cream. Thick and a little sour tasting. (Not to my liking) A nice way to start my day! I have included a picture as today's food shot. (Yes, that is a tablet with keyboard, a camera and battery pack!)
Anyone who knows me will have a good laugh at this one. I’m a planner, the kind that will take months to research and plan and double check everything. I also have this tendency to plan tours or walking trips to fill up the holiday. My little excel spreadsheet is full of stuff. (Okay, stop laughing!) Well your going to have a good laugh at this one. I was checking my next ferry and place to stay. Seeing if I would need to rent a car again (Yep, I do). When something didn’t look right. I have a ferry ticket to Mykonos and a apartment rental in Tinos. Now in my defense, in Greece they have a habit of calling their islands and towns by 3 different names. However, I did mess up. Tinos is the quieter island just 30 minutes ferry ride past Mykonos! Well, that would have been awkward! So, I spent the next hour changing 2 ferry rides, renting a car and checking and rechecking the plan. Man, did I feel stupid!
Now that I know where I’m going in two days, let’s have some fun today. There is a beach called St. Georges beach. It is not far from here and I haven’t been in the water for a few days. I know! Crazy eh! (That was my Canadian coming out) So, I pack up by little backpack (Osprey backpack, it folds into nothing and holds a decent amount of stuff), put on the bathing suit, sunscreen and off I go. On the way there, I stop to take a coupe of people wind surfing in a little bay. The winds are pretty strong and they must have some really good upper body strength and core muscles to match When I get to the beach, they have parking right by the beach and I snag one in the front row. No need to get a picture of local business as a landmark this time. It is in the afternoon when I get here and there are still plenty of chairs and umbrellas available. I find one that and plop down.
I don’t know if I have explained this before, so be patient if I have. In Greece (and I’m sure elsewhere) when you go to an ‘organized’ beach they have beach chairs (some with pads, some without) and umbrellas set up for your convenience. Nice! However, you have to pay for them. Some places (where we stayed in Crete) they will forgo the charge for the chairs if you buy food or drinks from their restaurant. This one didn’t. So you pay for the chair and the food. The cost of the chair with a pad and umbrella is 7.50 Euros for the day (regardless of when you get there). This is just an expense that I have prepared for so not a big deal. I read this online prior to coming. So I pay my fare and have a seat.
The beach is a nice one, very long for Greece and reasonably wide. The water is a little rough but still doable. The winds have picked up here. I was talking to Chris (my neighbour) and he said that this is early for the winds. Normally they don’t pick up until mid-June. I head off into the water for a dip. The water here is shallow, you can go out 30 meters before you hit chest level (I’m 5’7”). The water is cool but the bottom is sandy. I see the little minnows swimming around and should have thought to bring a banana. I have a very pleasant swim and float around a bit. I’m very aware of the sun beating down on me, so I don’t stay out very long. I think I have a base tan by now but let’s not chance heat stroke again.
After my swim I order a fruit, yogurt and honey bowl with a peach ice tea. This is a large bowl filled with stuff (oops, sorry, no picture). I enjoy from the safety of my shady chair. I reapply the sunscreen just in case my little toes stick out in the sun. I read my book for a while so I can dry off. I also like to people watch. This is a great place to do that. You have mostly couples. I’d say and even split between older and younger. Nice to see young families out as well. Nothing too crazy to report. People are generally well behaved. I do hear one couple (mid 50’s) complain to the server though. Apparently, he has told them that they can’t eat or drink anything from outside of their restaurant while using their chairs. I can see both sides of this. The company is trying to make a profit by selling their food and drinks and the couple are trying to save by bringing their own. They did pay for the chairs with no issue. You decide which side of the argument your on.
After a pleasant afternoon, I head home to shower and grab something to eat. Tomorrow is another day in paradise.Leggi altro
Walk Around Town
3 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
New day, new adventures. Actually, today was part maintenance day and part fun. Let me tell about it. After a wonderful nights sleep, (I think this is the most comfortable bed) I started my day with a beautiful morning coffee on the patio. I caught up on a couple of the blogs. I ran out of international phone call minutes so I needed to get reloaded. I also was in dire straights to get my nails done. (Yeah, I know, that was a girly statement)
I found a Vodaphone store and reloaded my minutes. I got 400 minutes for 17.00 Euros. (Uh Canada, you hearing this???) The gentleman at the store was very nice (as are all the Greeks, it seems). He also found me a clip for my phone that goes in the car vent for when I’m using Google Maps. (That is every time I leave the driveway!) So far driving has been good. I get lost but I seem to get out of it okay. They use a lot of round abouts here and I don’t think I’ve seen a stoplight yet.
Next up was getting my nails done. I found a salon called Green Hair Salon, not far from the Vodaphone store and she could take me today. I was early so I stopped next door for a frappe and a chocolate croissant. The lady at the salon was very nice and did a wonderful job on my nails. As we are talking, I find out that there is no rain in the summer here only in the winter. Also, Naxos has a large population (10,000 residents) so they don’t shut down in the winter like some of the other islands. My nails are done and I should be good for a couple of weeks now.
Back home for a siesta and then I head out to see the castle. Yep, they have a castle here. It is in Old Town (surprise!). I find a place to park in a public parking lot. They are free and they seem to have quite a few around town. Probably trying to keep all the tourists in one place ;>) I put a local establishment into the GPS so I can find the car again, then head off on foot. The way is all up hill and so that chocolate croissant is worn off. After what seems like 30 minutes, but is actually only 12 minutes I make it to Old Town. The castle is not what I expected. It is a castle but they have parsed it out to shops and homes. So, you don’t get the authentic ‘castle’ experience. The churches we locked up so I couldn’t get any inside pictures.
After my walk around it is time for dinner. I stop at a place called Gemma Naxian Bar. Looked nice and it had shade! I order some potato pancakes that are filled with cheese and vegetables. They are served with a sour cream type dressing to dip them in. That with some lemon aid and I’m good. As I’m having dinner, they start to bring out the hookah vessels. No, I didn’t know that this was a hookah bar when I sat down. No, I did not partake.
Now I have to get back to the car and get home. It seems like the walk is up hill again??? By the time I make it home, I have time for a quick shower, a glass of wine and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Good night, all.Leggi altro
On My Own Again
3 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Remember when I had reservations about the girls going out last night? Well mommy was right again. They loudly tip toed in at 3:30 AM and check out the picture at 9:00 AM. We do manage to get out of the house on time. The girls take me to port for me to catch my ferry to Naxos and they go to the airport to fly to Athens.
I have plenty of time to wait for my ferry so I settle in and have some lunch. I am at the same restaurant where we came in and the same gentleman is serving me. I start a pair of socks, chat with some people and eat some really nice food. I get on the ferry and settle in for a 2-hour ride. I am on Blue Star ferries this time. It is very nice and has nice plush seats with tables. I enjoy the ride and debark at Naxos. I get a message from the girls saying they have landed in Athens okay and are at their place.
Next up is to get a car. The place I’m staying at is outside the city and I will need it for transportation. I end up with a Citroen C1. It is a convertible (I’m not a fan) and it is a cute little car. They have cars here that are both manual and automatic. I don’t know how to describe them. They don’t have a park gear, so you have to use the hand brake when you park. A little different but okay.
I plug in the address on my phone and proceed to get lost in the down town of Naxos city. The link on the website is not correct. After my host sends me the correct one; off I go to see my new place. Driving in Greece is a little different. You can’t read the signs (all Greek to me, Ha, Ha) and you have to rely on Google maps. The roads here (so far) are not the switchbacks that we had in Santorini. However, I do get to go down a couple of dirt roads to get to my place.
I am right on the sea again and you can hear the waves crashing along the shore line. I get here at about 8:00 PM and head out for groceries before the store closes. My host here is really good at sending me a couple of links to grocery stores. I head off and get lost again. Turn around in someone’s driveway, make a couple more wrong turns but make it to the store. My staples here are cheese, olives, yogurt, sliced meats, coffee, milk and wine. Back home I go and am pretty proud of myself for not getting lost on the way home.
My place is basically a studio but with a really nice bathroom. There is no sitting area inside but there is a table and chairs outside. The bed is comfy and it has all I need. The area is quiet and the views are gorgeous. I have a neighbour beside me named Chris. He is somewhere around mid 60’s and is a Greek who moved to Belgium in 2017. Before you jump to conclusions, his girlfriend is joining him in a couple of weeks. I unpack my stuff and head off to bed.Leggi altro
Critters, Museums, Fishies and Shopping
1 giugno 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Well onto the next adventure. We went to bed last night after a busy day. You drift off to sleep and dream of the day on the water. Then you wake up to a bite on your arm (kinda felt a large black fly bite). I turn on the light to see this creature scurrying on the comforter. I spring out of bed grab a shoe and whack the thing. Because the bedding is soft it just scurries in another direction. I think I just made it angry now! I fold the comforter (shoe and all) into a packet and drag it outside. I have been quiet this whole time trying not to wake the girls. When I’m outside I unfold everything and watch it scurry to the planter and then to the wall.
Laura must have heard something and has come to see what is wrong. I can only think to tell her to stay inside so she doesn’t get hurt. I grab my phone, then the camera to get a picture incase it is poisonous. Laura is now freaking out and goes to check her and Nicole’s bedroom. Now Nicole is awake and has to come and check my bite. Laura has gone all mafia ninja mode and is now checking everywhere she can for more critters. My bed gets torn apart, behind the nightstands, under the couch, under the bed, in the bathroom.
After we calm down a bit (not much but a bit) I take a Benadryl to get the inflammation down. I of course get on line to see if I can find out what bit me. Yeah, check out the picture below. They are called Scolopendra cingulata and are ugly centipedes/scorpion type things with a lot of legs and a scorpion tale.
We head cautiously back to bed for the rest of the night. The next morning it is more like a bee sting and I have survived to write another blog. I have to admit, driving is nothing to this little adventure.
We have awoken to a beautiful day. Our visitor from last night has left the premise (as far as we can tell) or was eaten by one of the cats around here. My arm is not as red and feels like a bee sting where the ache has just gone up the arm a bit. Basically, I’m fine.
Today we have a tour at the Atlantis the Lost City museum. It was very interesting. First you see a movie about how the city was built and lived and then destroyed by a volcano eruption. The movie is a 9D experience meaning that you sit in a chair that tilts and rumbles. You have a set of 3D glasses, headphones to listen to the story and then they throw fake ‘volcanic ash’ (soap bubbles) and water sprits to flush out the experience. After the movie there are several interactive boards that describe the society back then. After this they have a hologram where you can chit chat with Plato about how he saw civilization. They also have a diorama that shows what Atlantis looked like according to Plato. All and all it was well worth the time and money. The link to it is: https://www.lost-atlantis.com/
After this we went to the lively part of Fira to meander the shops. The three of us went to a fish spa. It is a spa where little fishies clean your feet while you have a glass of wine. We also had a hot wax treatment for our ears. This was a lot of fun. Laura squealed a lot due to the fish ‘kissing’ between her toes. Here is a link if you want to find out more about this treatment: https://www.facebook.com/FishSpaSantorini/ .
There just happens to be a jewelry store across the street and we are three women. Yes, in we go! I find a nice necklace and 2 rings. The girls also find necklaces, rings and ankle bracelets. By now we are just hungry. We find an absolutely wonderful restaurant called The Pelican Kipos. It had a wonderful atmosphere as soon as we walked in. There were benches with tables and chairs, cozy little nook where you felt like you had a private table. The wait staff were wonderful! Nicole and I spit some appetizers; baked feta and mushrooms in wine sauce. Laura has potatoes au gratin type appetizer. I had the sea bass and our waitress even de-boned it for me at the table! Nicole had a chicken with cream sauce and Laura had a pork medallion dish. We were stuffed by the time we finished!
We head back to the house and I am ready for some rest and relaxation. The girls however are heading out clubbing. We are leaving tomorrow and I have my reservations about their choices. However, they are 35 years old so it’s up to them. They get a taxi to meet the at the parking area and off they go. Me? I stay home and pack up my stuff, have a shower and write this blog. I know, boring!Leggi altro
ViaggiatoreSo it sounds like you’ve been having an excellent adventure!! How many fingers do you think you have?! 🤣
Day on the Water
31 maggio 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Today we have the catamaran trip. We are going on an 8-hour trip around Santorini. We will stop at 3 different beaches and have a nice lunch/dinner on the boat. So off we go. We have to meet at one of the local hotels to be picked up in our coach. As with anything here, we use Google Maps to find our path. I have to admit that Google Maps is a pretty good app while we are here but even it can’t always navigate the donkey paths here. We end up making a few U-turns and take twice as long to get there but we make it. It is a 20-seat coach but quite comfy. We all have air vents and the seats are better than some airlines. We stop at various pickup stops and soon we are full. Our driver expertly navigates the windy, twisty roads next to the rock cliff where we could easily plunge to our death. Then the finally when he backs up the coach downhill through parked vehicles to get to the dock. Apparently, Laura has found a new life skill she wishes to conquer.
We have to walk downhill a little way (which means it’s going to be uphill on the way back!). We get onto the boat and get our safety talk as we pull out of the harbour. This is a nice size vessel which can comfortably carry about 24 people. There is plenty of shade and plenty of sun, take your pick. I sit up top with the captain under the canopy so that I can get a good view of what is around us. He tells me that the company started out with only 2 catamarans and has built up the business to 20 catamarans 2 speed boats and about 150 car rentals. The ride is smooth and the scenery is gorgeous. I love being on the water. For me, there is something freeing about being on the water. The wind in your hair, the colour of the water, the smell of the salt water, yeah this is me.
We pass by the black beach, white beach and the red beach. Our first swim spot is near another beach just a little bit further. They drop the anchor and get out the masks and snorkels, and lower the steps. Off we go! The water is a little shocking at first because it is cold but you get used to it quickly. As I have mentioned before, I am a lousy diver here because of the salt water I float like driftwood. However, this is a good thing for swimming. There is a little bit of current and you have to exert yourself a little to say within range of the boat. I put on my mask and snorkel and get transformed into another world. In this world there is tranquility and quiet. The water is that clear, slightly turquoise colour. There are small fishies swimming around. Some small rocks in the sandy bottom but no coral. We swim for about 15 minutes and then I get back on board. I dry off in the sun but then head back to the shade. I am not a sun monger so I try to stay in the shade as much as possible. (And reapply the sunscreen frequently) The girls are down below in the smoking area having a great time chatting with new people.
The next swim spot is the red beach. When we get there, the crew hand out life preservers to everyone because there is a hot spring there and this will tire out the swimmers quickly. I stay on board for this one. I’m not really into the hot springs’ thing. Laura and Nicole however, go in. They have a nice swim there and decide that the mud from the hot springs is good for a facial. The hot springs are basically sulfer so I’m not sure how good this is for their face. However, they are having fun. (Check out the picture).
Once back on board we are treated to a wonderful meal. The have flounder (breaded and fried in olive oil), chicken and prawns (done on the BBQ), pasta, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread. Everything was great and I especially liked the flounder. They have unlimited beer, white wine and water all day long. We are having a great day out.
There is one more swim stop but the three of us stay on board. We head back to the harbour and disembark. We thank the crew for a lovely day. Then we head back up the hill to our coach and head home. We are all bushed from our day out on the water. The link for this lovey cruise is: https://www.santorini-yachts.com/
Laura however has something special in store for all of us. Apparently the green dinosaur onesy has made it on board. So with a quick change, Laura treats all to her kind of crazy. I'm surprised we didn't have to walk the plank for that one.
After a shower and a bit of relaxation time, Laura and I head to the grocery store. We cannot drink the water here, so we need to pick up some more for coffee and drinking. I am driving this time (my second time here) and I think I’m getting used to it. Once again we are using Google Maps and have miss some turns because they just look like driveways or alleyways and not streets. However, we get to the store and have no issues. The grocery store here is pretty good, with lots of selections. We get out stuff and head back home. After a small bite to eat.
We head off to bed to get a good nights rest…or so we thought. Stay tuned for the next adventure.Leggi altro
Slow day today
30 maggio 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Today is a slow day for us no tours today. We all sleep in late and have a late breakfast. We do laundry. I get some blog writing done. You know down day. Laura has found us a gluten free restaurant to go to tonight. Off we go into town. The restaurant is on the main street and parking is hard to find. Laura finds a spot and we try to find the restaurant. Interesting thing I noticed is that there are no address numbers on the stores or houses. I’m not sure why they give you an address when a simple 15’ from the corner would work better. After a couple of phone calls to the restaurant we finally find it. It has a wonderful view over the landscape to the sea.
Laura picks out a chicken dish. Nicole and I split a bruschetta and then have a pasta with mushrooms and chicken. They give us an appetizer of olives, sliced tomatoes and bread cubes which is also very nice.
After dinner the girls drop me off and then head out. They are going to an open-air theater to watch the latest Top Gun movie. The theater can hold about 180 people and has regular seating. The girls found some lounge chairs in the front and opted for those. They said they had a great time and that the refreshments (coke and popcorn) were reasonably priced.
I stayed home and did some reading. I was in bed when they came home and they were nice and quiet so as to not disturb me.Leggi altro
My Birthday in Santorini
29 maggio 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Today is my birthday. I’m in Santorini for my 61st birthday! Yeah! It is a beautiful day out. We have to catch a cab at 6:30 this morning to get to the port. Our ferry was waiting there and after a brief check in we are ready to board. They have luggage racks to store our stuff. The lounge is nice with wide seats and tray tables similar to an airplane. They have The History Channel on to watch as well. There is a place to get croissants, baklava, pizza and other pasties as well as coffee and juice. The girls head upstairs to take in the roof top. I sit inside have a croissant and coffee and then do my knitting. The crossing was about 2 hours and poof we’re in Santorini.
At port the girls are able to get a sim card for their phones so they are now able to communicate with the real world without paying an arm and a leg. Laura also finds us a car rental for the 4 days we are here. This time it is a Nissan Mica; small but efficient. While the girls hit the souvenir shops, I sit at the open-air restaurant and have a Sangria. We get a bite to eat before heading out to our BnB. Laura has to make due with a fruit plate, Nicole finally gets her gyro and I do a calabrese sandwich.
After loading the luggage (I’m surprised it fit) we head off. Santorini is basically a mountain that got blown half off by a volcano about 2000 years ago. It is steep and there are not really any plateaus to live on. They have switchbacks for roads leading out of port. Sharp turns, narrow roads and if you go over you die. The views are breathtaking though. Laura of course is a little daredevil and loves this (check out the grin as she is driving!).
We make it to where we think we should be. We get out of the car and take a look around. We see the white houses and the blue domes of the churches. An older gentlemen parks beside and asks if we know where we are going. I reply probably not. I show him our map but, in the end, call the host and let them talk to him. We, of course are not in the right spot. He tells us to follow the road until we see a church with a big tree and that is where we park. Now if you look over the side of the hill the church is a 5-minute walk (through cacti and scrub, downhill) in a car it is 15 minutes through hairpin (blind) turns. Our host actually lives in Athens but has someone here to look after the house. Their son is waiting to greet us. Thank goodness for that. The house is uphill on cobblestone (more slate and cut out from the rock) streets about 100 meters from where the car is parked. The young man takes the two heavy suitcases and I take my carryon and CPAP machine and start to head up. He of course has no issue, I’m huffing and puffing half way up. The girls have stayed behind to have a smoke. Yeah, we meet them half way down and Nicole had to stop half way to get out her puffer. These streets are a killer no matter what the age. This is not a place for the mobility challenged.
Whew, finally made it. The place is cute as a button with the blue shutters and white wash façade. They are having an issue with water today in Santorini and the cleaning staff couldn’t clean the patios but the inside is all done. I’m not sure how to explain the place really. They are houses built into the side of the mountain. You have two windows at the front and the door but that is all the light you have coming in. Past the kitchen, dining and living area the bedrooms are to the back. There are no windows at all in them. The bathroom is also windowless. You can notice an immediate temperature difference when you walk further back as you get more into the mountain. This is how people built the houses after the volcano erupted to protect themselves from further eruptions. The rooms are a generous size and the girls have a nice wardrobe in their room. I have a beautiful bureau in my room which has all the main doors locked. There are 3 hooks on the wall and that is the extent of my closet and storage area. Looks good but useless.
I have often said (and will probably continue to say) that I wished these hosts would actually live in their own rentals for a couple of weeks. So here are my observations. The bed in the master bedroom is at calf level, the girls room knee level. There is not one plug for the kitchen sinks or the bathtub. How do people fill the sink to wash dishes? Or take a bath? There is no shower curtain. I probably don’t have to explain the issues with that one. Although there is a drain in the floor outside the tub. The tub itself is a nice deep one. It is a little narrow and short but a nice tub none the less. The windows and door have no screens. There is a beautiful breeze that comes through this area but also a lot of flying insects like mosquitoes. We have to make do with the air conditioner which really doesn’t have a great fan on it. The stove and frig work well as do the toaster. The coffee pot however is another story. First no filters, second the pot must have been replaced from the original because it is too short to engage the drip from the filter. So, you have to stand there holding the coffee pot up to allow for the coffee to drip. There is a washer here and it works very well and with the breeze outside and sun things dry quickly.
The girls head off to the get groceries and shop and I get to nest. After a dinner of roasted chicken, green beans and salad we relax for a bit before heading off to bed.Leggi altro
Food Tour on the Farm
28 maggio 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Today we have our food tour which is across the island. I have woken up a bit under the weather. This is the first time since Munich that I have felt off. I stayed mostly in the shade yesterday and do not have a sun burn anywhere. However, my stomach is just not right. My head is a little off as well so this might be just too much heat.
We head off to the food tour. The place is called Cretan Vibes (https://cretanvibes.com/cookingtour). It is about an hour and a half away from where our place is but takes us up a mountain and into the interior of the island. Life looks very different here. There are fields of olive trees, various produce, some goats and then barren rock faces. We go through some small villages and see people going about their daily lives. It is much less glamorous than what you see on the coast or in Heraklion. The roads here are very twisty and wind through like our switchbacks up and down the valleys and hills. We are almost there when we end up in a market area. Apparently one town shuts down the street Google told us to take for a market every Saturday. We have to back up, turn around and find another way. Laura of course is a very cool Kitten and this doesn’t faze her in the least.
We finally make there and then get lost on the road to the farm. We went a little too far and had to come back up through the olive grove to get to our outdoor kitchen. The place is run by Marianna and her wonderful Mother. Marianna speaks very good English, her mother does not. It doesn’t seem to matter though because we can immediately feel the welcome from both of them. They let us stretch our legs and use the bathroom. We chat for a while just getting to know each other. They serve us two different drinks from a syrup that they make right there. One has cinnamon, anise and sugar, the other is lemon juice, sugar and water. They mix these with water and serve them to us. The drinks are very different but both are very refreshing. They have built a large gazebo with a washroom (with running water) and several tables that they can set up with cooking stations. There is a lovely breeze blowing through the valley which is wonderful since the temperature is climbing up to 34 Celsius!
They are going to help us create 3 Cretan dishes. One is a lamb stew, one a potato and egg dish and finally a goat cheese pastry for dessert. Cretan food is slightly different from Greek food and it uses less ingredients and has simpler flavours.
First up is the lamb stew. We need to start this early because it takes the longest to make. We don our aprons and take our stations. We sear the lamb in olive oil over high heat and then turn it down. We chop and add some onions, fresh herbs that are growing 3 meters away from us. Then water is added and we let that simmer for an hour and a half.
Marianna takes us on a tour of their farm. They have two different types of olives and she explains how they are harvested and sent for processing. They have a very large farm that was started by her grandfather many years ago. She tells us how they propagate new trees and what the seasons are for pruning, spraying and then harvest. They also have 4 greenhouses where they rotate crops like watermelon, tomatoes, peppers and beans. In addition to this they have open fields where they grow artichokes, more tomatoes, watermelons, peppers, zucchini, squash, herbs and potatoes. They have pretty much everything they need to live right at their fingertips. Other then meat which they get from a local butcher. You stand back and realize that not only do they run this farm, they also run the cooking tours. This is a massive operation and you don’t see a lot of farm hands working here. I’m sure they get help in for harvest but you quickly realize how hard these people work all their lives.
After the tour of the farm, Marianna brings us back to start the other dishes. We head back to the stew and add a potato, tomatoes and some fresh picked artichoke hearts. We even learned how to peel them. We are doing a potato and egg dish as well. The potatoes are from their farm (of course!) and are beautiful white potatoes. Okay, let us get excited about potatoes. These are solid, large, white, without eyes potatoes. The kind that we can only get for about a week and a half back home. We peel our potatoes and then are shown a different way to cut them, that will make them into very thin French fries. Marianna’s mother then fried them up in their oil (made from their olives!) and then completed the dish with some farm fresh eggs.
After this we made a pastry dish with goat cheese, cinnamon and honey. It was also very yummy. After everything was complete, they pulled out a bottle of red wine and we all sat down for dinner. The lamb stew was great. We had some fresh greens (wilted in olive oil and then drizzles with lemon) called horta. The egg and potato dish were a hit with Laura and both Nicole and I enjoyed the pastries. The whole tour took about 6.5 hours. After many hugs and goodbyes, we make our way back home.
We leave very early tomorrow; the cab comes at 6:30 AM; to catch the ferry to Santorini. I am feeling better but stay home to pack. The girls head out for a walk and some shopping. Talk to you all later.Leggi altro
Fun Day on the Water
27 maggio 2022, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Today we had a beach day. The beach is only a 5 minute walk, so after breakfast we head over to get some chairs under umbrellas and plan to spend the afternoon here. The beach is fine sand and very hot!!! The water is nice for me but Laura finds it cool. I’m going to say about 20 Celsius. I head out for a swim. I haven’t been in the water swimming for quite a while and it shows. I’m a little out of shape and can’t swim as far as I used to. I am however, a floater. I can float a good long time. The problem with this is that even with sunscreen you have to watch or you’ll end up burnt.
We have some lunch on the beach. Nothing really to special, grilled ham and cheese and a glass of white wine for me. The girls pick their own. After lunch, they go rent paddle boards. Neither one of them have been on them and it shows. Laura manages to stay up but Nicole struggles with this and ends up in the water a couple of times. They have fun and that is the important part. Even though they had sunscreen on and reapplied when they went in both girls got some sunburn on them. They come home and slather on the aloe.
We had to rent a car for tomorrows tour. We get it in the early evening and Laura drives us into Heraklion for dinner. We have found a gluten free restaurant where Laura can have a decent meal. It takes about 20 minutes to get there and have to go around a couple of times to find the place. The Google maps directions aren’t the best and the streets are more like donkey paths. Not to mention the traffic. Laura does an excellent job of getting us there and back.
We eat at a place called Amalia’s Kitchen. They have so many gluten free options, Laura is in seventh heaven. Check out our plates below. We sit outside because it is a beautiful night again. Once we are done, we head back home. It is quite late, so I’m off to bed and the girls stay up to chit chat.Leggi altro
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Gratis
ViaggiatoreWell, you know I’m enjoying your lighthouse photos and info! I’m a long time fan of their maritime tales and history! Thanks! You are an Admirable solo adventurer! Thanks for sharing!
Viaggiatore
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Viaggiatore
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