Took the bus to Oia this morning, seeking THAT photo of the three blue tops of churches. Yeah, I spent weeks working on a puzzle of Oia this winter. It had too many blue pieces, and after I completed the town with its famous blue-domed churches and landscape, I gave up on the blue sky and clouds. This morning, I was eager to see those private balconies with pretty coloured gates and flowers in terracotta pots surrounding the churches. Nobody mentioned the hair-pin turns around steep cliffs during the drive to Oia. Whew! I did not have a window seat, but did try to snap a couple of photos. On the way back, the bus took the lower road where we could see lovely beaches and parched farmland. At first I thought I was on the ... read more

Today I put myself in that classic postcard view. I took the bus to Fira and walked over to the caldera view. OMG Stunning! I just had to have an expensive coffee on the edge of an expensive restaurant balcony. Then I ordered a Greek salad, to extend the stay, though the waitresses were uber friendly and would have let me stay. There were people waiting for these premier tables. It is surreal, sitting there, overlooking the caldera that exploded and destroyed the Minoan city. I wonder how many people know this history as they admire the view. A really sad fact is that over fifty percent of the people sitting in this beautiful balcony with outstanding views were on their cell phones. Freaks! What a sad lot. There was a girl around ten who sat ... read more

I explored the streets that my friends showed me yesterday. I know where the tailor, shoemaker, chocolate maker, grocer, flower ladies shops are, plus a lot more. Scroll down to read the notes with the many photos that I have taken today. This neighborhood was once countryside where the Liechtenstein palace was built, and before that there were thousands of years of history that included the Roman Empire. When you walk along the streets you feel the layers of history, especially when you see mature trees. Can you imagine what a100 year old tree has witnessed in Vienna!! Can you imagine a thousand years of history here? For me, it is candy for my eyes, such artistic architecture, especially when you look up. There are so many cliches walking by….athletic young people who might have over ... read more

Our plane was over an hour late while waiting for a connecting plane from Toronto. Instead of an eight hour flight, it was more like nine and a half. Thankfully I bought the seat by emergency exit and I had ample room for my legs, and I think I managed to get a little bit of sleep. No one came to check that I knew how to operate it in an emergency (troubling), but I read the instructions and was all set to pull lever down, fling the door open and activate the inflatable slide, if necessary ? Arrival was easy. No one asked for proof of anything to do with covid. A border guard stamped my passport and I was good to go get my luggage. My brand new bag had come apart at one ... read more

The attachment for iPad works! One more thing checked off my long list. My village is home to Thinkers Lodge national historic site that displays a Nobel peace prize and a Lenin peace prize. The village nam, Pugwash, is famous for world peace. international Pugwash organization continues to meet to w towards nuclear disarmament.... read more