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Selasa, 23 Agustus 2016
archaeology
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beaches
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castles
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excursions
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explore
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friends
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Greece
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historic sites
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islands
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London
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photography; exhibits
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MAKING TRIP PLANS, 2016
Posted by
Cek,
on
12.38

I've started to verify and plan my trip to Europe this year which will begin September 4 when I fly to London. From there I will go right away to Caerphilly, Wales to spend a couple of days visiting with my cousins and touring my castle. It's a quick trip due to me having to take advantage of cheap air fares.
Caerphilly Castle
Windsor St. Where my Dad used to live.
On Sept. 7 I'll head into London again, early, in time to take in a special exhibit at the British Museum. I'm really excited about seeing EGYPT'S LOST WORLDS, which are artifacts found under the see, some off of Alexandria which was the city founded by Alexander the Great and occupied but the first Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt.
The British Museum
Early the next morning I fly to Corfu, my first stop in the Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece. I was only there briefly back in the early '80's so I wanted to spend a few days there as Corfu has an interesting history with lots to see. I've check out the tours and will try and take one of them so I can see as many of the special sites as possible. This will include the palace where Prince Philip was born and the home of the Durrell brothers of literary fame.
Corfu, Kerkyra
Mouse Island
Kerkyra
I'm staying on Corfu for 3 days then taking the quick ferry over to the tiny island of Paxis where I'll spend two days exploring. There are a couple of interesting museums and a Venetian Kastro on an islet off shore that was reputedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
Paxi, Gaia
Paxi harbour
From Paxi I must take a ferry to the mainland and then a bus to Lefkada where I'll head south to the town of Vassiliki (the surf-boarders paradise). Not sure yet if I'll spend a night there. It depends on the ferry service onward to Kefalonia where I will visit the seaside town of Fiscardo, established and named for a famous pirate.
From there I will head by bus to Athens, and will stop there to visit friends for a few days before heading on another island adventure, this time to the islands of Paros and Naxos. I decided to stay two days on Paros as it is another island that I've only visited briefly back in the '90's.
My favorite island is Naxos, so I'll stay there five days in a bed-tent at the Maragas Camping, a campsite and beach that I just love going to. I never get tired of visiting Naxos as it's a big island and lots to see besides having the most fabulous beaches! I can hardly wait to have my dinner at one of my favorite sea-side tavernas there to watch the sunset!
From Naxos I will head south to Crete. I haven't been to Crete since the '80's and wanted to see the Minoan site of Knossos again as well as exploring around Iraklion. I'll be there a couple of days and hope to get up to a mountainside resort owned by a FB friend.
When all my Cretan adventures are over, I head back to Athens and that's where I'll be for the month of October, until the 20th when I head back home. There's lots to see and do in my favorite city besides visiting with my friends. I'll go over to Salamina island for a few days to explore with Christina and probably make a few day trips around If finances enable it, I might even go up to Pelion for a few days as I've been wanting to explore that area for quite some time now.
Some of my Athens friends
Zoe and me
Carola, Christina and Kim
I'll be posting along the way and sharing all my adventures with on-line friends and family. So stay tuned for the next installment!
Sabtu, 30 Juli 2016
adventure
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excursions
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friends
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fun
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Greece
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hikes
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historical sites
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monuments
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travel
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MEMORIES OF ALL THE FUN I HAD IN GREECE (Sept/Oct 2015)
Posted by
Cek,
on
13.32
I didn't do much blogging after I got back from last year's trip to Greece and here it is, time to embark on another. So while looking through my photos I came across many of the adventures I enjoyed, from the islands to visiting archaeological site and hanging out with my friends.
Then I moved into a lovely pension in the town with a room right by pool-side.
Then, back to Athens, an on to many more adventures. These included a couple of day trips with friends, a visit to the island of Salamina, an afternoon at the Temple of Poseidon, Sounion, and many others. Here's a sample of a few of them.
Maragas Camping, Naxos
The most beautiful beaches!
A margarita for lunch at the Picasso Beach Taverna
Spectacular Naxos sunset
I started my holiday adventures on my favorite island NAXOS, at my favorite spot, Maragas Camping, Agia Ana. The most fabulous beach, and fun staying in a bed-tent for three days.Then I moved into a lovely pension in the town with a room right by pool-side.
The "Something Else" Pension
There's lots to see on the island of Naxos and I like to go back there every time I visit Greece.
The walk out to the "Portada"
The Portada "Apollo's Temple"
I love the Venetian influence on Naxos with these vaulted streets.
The Corinth Canal
A day trip to the Peloponnese: Fish farms
The small ancient theatre of Epidaurus.
The Big Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Then some trips around Athens and the mainland. There is so much to do there and many choices of where to spend your time. You really need to allow for this when you visit Greece.
Athens, the Acropolis
The Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion
The Temple of Poseidon (try to get there for sunset!)
One day I made a trip to Marathon, where the famous battle took place between the Greeks and the Persians. This is where today's marathons begin, just as the runner who bore the news of the Greek victory ran from there to Athens (and then died of exhaustion!)
Grave mound of the fallen warriors
Marathon, monument for the runners
Then I made a trip to Salamina island, also the scene of a famous naval battle between the Greeks and Persians. My friend Christina lives there so we always go exploring and this year was a very special archaeological adventure!
Monument to the fallen warriors
Monument for the Battle of Salamis
I had heard from my friend about a cave up on the mountain where the dramatist Euripides had once lived. I was determined to make the climb up there, and I did! (It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be!)
The Cave of Euripides
It wasn't all Archaeology on this trip. I even did a reading of my historical novel SHADOW OF THE LION: BLOOD ON THE MOON at the Canadian Institute.
Then there was more exploring and having fun.
somewhere around the Agora
along one of the old walled areas of ancient Athens.
my travel buddies
My Athens pals!
And most of all I love hanging out with my Athens pals. This year there will be lots more adventures too and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and being there, in Athens, my second home, and exploring Greece, my favorite place to be!
Kamis, 28 Juli 2016
A FEW LOVELY DAYS IN MALAGA, SEPT 2015
Posted by
Cek,
on
20.58
I've been remiss in posting blogs since I learned that had to move in January and things got a bit hectic from then til moving day April 1. Now that I'm settled in my new place, things are getting back into my usual routines of writing. I'm finishing up old tasks and have been working on a new e-book for Hunter Publishing, a guide to the Greek Islands. And in just a few more weeks I'll be departing on another trip overseas, this time to mainly visit some of the islands as well as my friends in Athens.
First, though, I decided to post a few photos and memories of MALAGA, SPAIN, a city that I really fell in love with and would like to think I could return some day. I spent three days there last September visiting my friends Carlos and Natalia and had a wonderful time. Here's a few of the highlights.
My first panoramic view of the city convinced me it was going to a place I'd love to explore.
Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world, first settled by the Phoenicians in about 770 BC. They called it Malaka because of the fish that was salted at the harbor. Later it fell into the hands of the Greeks, then the Romans until the Moors took over. It was under Islamic rule for 800 years. So there are many ruins in Malaga which interested an archaeology buff like me.
First, though, I decided to post a few photos and memories of MALAGA, SPAIN, a city that I really fell in love with and would like to think I could return some day. I spent three days there last September visiting my friends Carlos and Natalia and had a wonderful time. Here's a few of the highlights.
My first panoramic view of the city convinced me it was going to a place I'd love to explore.
Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world, first settled by the Phoenicians in about 770 BC. They called it Malaka because of the fish that was salted at the harbor. Later it fell into the hands of the Greeks, then the Romans until the Moors took over. It was under Islamic rule for 800 years. So there are many ruins in Malaga which interested an archaeology buff like me.
The Roman Theatre dates from the 1st century BC
In te 8th century AD when the Muslim Arabic rule took over, the city became in important trade centre. The Moors left behind some outstanding structures, mainly the Castle of 'Gibralfaro which is connected to the Alcazaba the lower fortress and royal residence.
The Fortress
Walking up to the Alcazaba
The Alcazaba was built on a quadrangular plan, protected by an outer and inner wall supported by towers,between which a covered walkway led up the slope to the Gibralfaro Castle. It's an enjoyable trek up with some good panoramic views as a reward, plus a stroll through some lovely gardens.
Besides the archaeological sites of Malaga there are many other interesting places to explore. We wandered through plazas where people were enjoying an afternoon drink of wine and tapas, we passed by some old Churches and market squares, and down palm-lined pathways. There are various museums including the Pablo Picasso Museum and I even had my photo taken with him! And, we visited the old bodega (wine shop) in Malaga. That was very interesting! Barrels and barrels of wine
Pablo and me
The Oldest Bodega in Malaga
Of course there were the days by the seaside as well and a trip to the nearby resort town of Bandalmadena. It was crowded with tourists as are most of the seaside resorts near Malaga. If you've ever visited there you'll understand why it's a place that attracts so many tourists. I loved it!
Bandalmadena
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