Wrapping up Greece

---

We left Cape Sounion regretfully because it was just so nice. Off to Athens we went with a few stops to try to snap pictures and then the hassle of Athens and traffic. Our last day in Greece we walked around a bit again, some last minute purchases and decided to go back to the same restaurant where we had the most wonderful lamb dish at the start of the trip. It was "lamb in paper" which was (I believe) leg of lamb, or possibly shank? with potatoes, some onions and peppers (I think they were those light green bannana peppers) and feta cheese all wrapped up in parchment paper and baked. The lamb is so tender you don't really need a knife, and everything is flavored so well. Of course a plate of olives was also necessary and a carafe of house wine. But this was the last day in Greece and I had not yet tried the one Greek wine that is very specific to Greece: Retsina! The problem is they did not serve it by the glass, you had to buy at least a half bottle. Well, I had to have some.

Retsina is a white wine that is flavored with pine resin. This traditional wine goes back to ancient Greece when wine was transported in amphorae which were big ceramic containers with pointed bottoms and handles up top. These were sealed with resin from a pine tree and this resulted, of course, in adding that flavor to the wine. They don't use the amphorae now to store wine of course so the resin is added to the barrels.

The taste was not bad -I expected it to be more strongly flavored but it was actually a bit subtle. Of course I only tried one kind.
Our waiter was enthusiastic and friendly and since I was trying Greek traditional beverages he also brought out Ouzo. I don't think I need to say more about this evening except I was "feeling no pain" as they say. Until the morning. But lets not get in to that. (well, it wasn't really THAT bad.. really..).

The picture is of a ruin in the middle of Athens and I did not see the plaque to describe it.
The other picture is hopefully to show how blue and clear the water along the coast was.

And that was good-bye to Greece. A great visit, slightly stressful with driving but the sites were spectacular. Next time maybe those islands....

---

Photos

Along the coast
Look how blue that water is. Beautiful.

Ruins in Athens
Not quite sure what these are.

Comments

[Skourider]

next time u have to go to islands!!!!and not in August!!if u ever need help just send me!!!