...from the temple of Zeus, or at least it's earthquaked remains. I have a bunch of photos to upload again! I'm only going to upload highlights this time as we've taken so many... [View Full Entry]

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So, the storm following us has had to give up its water to cross the Adriatic. Did this mean it would give up? No. Of course not. So the second day after we arrived in Athens, the wind blows up - sunshades wrench at their moorings, and up on the Acropolis, unimpeded by the buildings below, the wind howls through the ruins of temples and ancient monuments, driving stinging dust and a steady stream of dislodged sun-hats before it. And nothing catches dust like sun-creamed legs. The overall effect, however, was very impressive. The feeling of an abandoned, spirit-haunted, ancient place [View Full Entry]

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Thoughts so far: Some random thoughts on the trip so far. The high (good) points. The Alps, climbing out of the rain into glorious sunshine, and the run to Mt Blanc. The Valle De Aosta and stopping in Pont St Michael. Eating in Bourg En Bresse, regional French food of great quality. The hotel had antique bikes, They let me sit on a pre-war Guzzi. The low (bad) points The rain in France, learning that my boots leak. Being able to to wring out leather. Being wet. The ugly. The rain from Dijon to Bourg en Bresse, the spray. An hour [View Full Entry]

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Day 5 Sailed into the small town of Katakolon on the coast of western Greece. This is the closest port to the famous ruins of Olympia. Bus to the site and we weren’t disappointed. The Olympic torch is lit some month before the start of each Olympic Games at a very insignificant spot in the complex. On our return to the ship, we stopped at a tavern and were given light snack food including local octopus and then entertained by music and Zorba dancing. (video included) [View Full Entry]

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Two wonders of the world, Tall/Dark/Handsome Men I'm sorry I have neglected my blog for a few stops, but this past week has been a whirlwind of ports and shows...so here is my best update. Since I last wrote, I have visited my first world wonder, the forbidden city of Petra, Jordan, then off to the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt, then Rhodes, Athens, and Olympia, Greece, and finally, Valletta, Malta. I really did not know what to expect from Petra, Jordan except that uh, well, it's good old Jordan. WHHHAT??? Jordan?!? WHY AM I IN JORDAN??? But nonetheless, I took a [View Full Entry]

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On Sunday, July 15th, we traveled by car for 3 hours, (certainly it would have taken me 9 hours for sure with the 2 lane hiway with most driving on the shoulder to allow traffic to pass in the middle from both sides) and with all the turns and curves. Nick is a fast driver as all are here. The road goes through country and cities and villages, through the Korinthos Canal. Beautiful. Also beautiful was the new hugh Rio Antirrio Suspension Bridge at Patra. So impressive. The overnight stay at Alex's apartment and then to the beech and eating picalea [View Full Entry]

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On Sunday, July 15th, we traveled by car for 3 hours, (certainly it would have taken me 9 hours for sure with the 2 lane hiway with most driving on the shoulder to allow traffic to pass in the middle from both sides) and with all the turns and curves. Nick is a fast driver as all are here. The road goes through country and cities and villages, through the Korinthos Canal. Beautiful. Also beautiful was the new hugh Rio Antirrio Suspension Bridge at Patra. So impressive. The overnight stay at Alex's apartment and then to the beech and eating picalea [View Full Entry]

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We are now back at Amaliada, going each day to the beech of Kourouta. This area is a farm community with farming of hugh pumpkins and watermellon just sitting out in the fields. We drove past many vegetables stands with the hugh vegetables witting pretty and looking so delicious. The water is so beautiful, the night time with a long walkway along the beech full of people eating, corn being grilled ontop of grills, bars with lovely lounges and music and lights. Ice cream a favorate of our again. Each day we would swim again and sit under the grass umbrellas. [View Full Entry]

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We are now back at Amaliada, going each day to the beech of Kourouta. This area is a farm community with farming of hugh pumpkins and watermellon just sitting out in the fields. We drove past many vegetables stands with the hugh vegetables witting pretty and looking so delicious. The water is so beautiful, the night time with a long walkway along the beech full of people eating, corn being grilled ontop of grills, bars with lovely lounges and music and lights. Ice cream a favorate of our again. Each day we would swim again and sit under the grass umbrellas. [View Full Entry]

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Well, our cruise was everything we hoped for and more. First of all, we bough deck class. Its a 30ish hour ferry and we bough deck class, which means we were crammed into a big room (ok, not crammed, but there were maybe 50 other people in the room) that was half inside and half outside. So, if it got cold, we were basically screwed. Just before the boat took off, people started claiming their spots in the room. People pulled out hammocks, cots and airmattresses. Laura and I, and 2 other girls, were the only people without the sleeping [View Full Entry]

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