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Sabtu, 30 Juli 2016
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MEMORIES OF ALL THE FUN I HAD IN GREECE (Sept/Oct 2015)
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!
Sabtu, 01 Agustus 2015
THOSE OLD FAMILIAR PLACES: ATHENS, Greece
My favorite perch above the rooftops of Plaka
Plaka at Night
Lysicrates Monument by the "Dirty Corner" where we used to all hang out
Stoa of Attalus in the Agora
I have had so many deja vu experiences it really does make me think I lived there in another lifetime. In fact, my Celtic novel DRAGONS IN THE SKY is a first person narrative of a Celtic girl who gets kidnapped and ends up in Greek Macedonia. In researching it I have discovered so many connections between the Celts and the Greeks. The whole idea of the novel (which I started writing in the '70's before I had actually visited Greece) was because my first historical novel, written when I was 17 in high school, had an Alexander the Great theme. I became fascinated with him when I was 16 and often people asked if I had lived in Greece before because I was able to write such vivid descriptions of the country and the characters.
The Parthenon
On my first trip to Greece I went to the museum in Thessaloniki and saw all the grave finds from Vergina, allegedly Philip II, Alexander's father. (This may now be contested with the discovery of a second tomb). When I took the train down to Athens I sat with a middle-aged doctor who was very kind and welcoming and when I arrived in Athens he was very helpful and encouraging. I checked into a small hotel, The Tempi, in Plaka and thus began my exciting exploration of this amazing, historic city that I have grown to love.
View of Lykebettos over the Plaka rooftops
I visited again the next couple of years and by 1983 I decided to fulfil a life-long dream and go to live in Europe. I had always thought it might be London I'd move to, but no, I KNEW it was Greece. So I found myself a home in Plaka and there I stayed tutoring ESL and enjoying a most fascinating life for the next five years. I regretted returning to Canada when I did in 1987 but later I went back to Greece, spending six months at a time while I was writing SHADOW OF THE LION. And since then I go nearly every year spending as much time as I can afford. I had always thought I'd return there to live, and almost did on a couple of occasions. And I still have that dream of living the rest of my retirement life there. But meanwhile I will be happy with my visits, each time exploring a new place in this wonderful country.
A place where I love to sit and enjoy the view
New Acropolis Museum
I have good friends in Greece and love to visit with them. I feel as at home in Athens as I do in Vancouver and in fact, when I return to Greece I feel my life 'changes', and I am more alive and happier than I am anywhere else.
Monastiraki market district
Dining at a favorite souvlaki shop in Monastiraki
So, this September I once again return to my beloved country. It has been so sad what has happened to Greece due to the econimic strife all brought about by former politicians and dishonesty and now by the determination of Germany to control all of Europe, especially greece, through the banks. My friends there have been suffering terribly and I understand the terrible situation they have been put in. If my meagre tourist dollars can help I will do what I can and I encourage others to visit this most fabulous country too.
Some of my Friends
Anna owner of the To Kati Allo Taverna
Anna's family, Dino (her son), grandson and husband Leonnatis
NEXT: Exploring some new places in Greece.
Kamis, 30 Juli 2015
EXPLORING NEW TERRITORY: Part 2 - MALAGA, SPAIN
Malaga is the second largest city in the Andalusia region of Spain on the Costa del Sol (population 538,479). It is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded by the Phoenicians around 770 BC. The name derives from the Phoenician "malaka" which meant "salt" because fish were salted near the harbour here. It was under Carthage's rule during the 6th century, later part of the Roman Empire. After Rome fell, it was under the Islamic domination until 1487. During the Arabic rule the city became an important trade centre. The city has Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian era archaeological remains which interest me.
Several famous people were born in Malaga including Pablo Picasso, the Jewish philosopher/poet Solomon Ibn Gabirol and more recently, the actor Antonio Banderas. Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona's famous "Malaguena" is named for the city.
Malaga has been named European Capital of Culture for 2016. There is lots to see and do in Malaga, besides the beautiful beaches (which Natalia has promised to take me to!). There are many interesting museums (at least 30) including the Picasso Museum and the Wine Museum. The baroque Cathedral "La Mangueta" has been newly restored. There is a Roman theatre, A Moorish Alcazaba fortress (with an archaeological museum) and panoramic views from the Gibralfaro Castle.
I'll only be there for a few days but I'll try to see as much as I can while I'm enjoying the company of my friends.
NEXT: Back to my adopted home, GREECE
Minggu, 26 Juli 2015
TRIP PLANS 2015: LONDON, THE COTSWOLDS and CAERPHILLY WALES
Houses of Parliament by the Thames
Richard the Lionhearted
'm just starting to plan my travels for 2015, leaving here August 28 with my first stop being LONDON.
I've been there so many times it's almost like returning 'home'. But each time I go I love to see new things (and there's lots to see in London!) This time I think I'll visit the Tower of London as I haven't been for some years. And of course I'll browse around all the old familiar haunts. I'll be staying at the Indian Y as usual (breakfast and dinner included) and it's right in the Bloomsbury area with a lot of historical houses including the one where Virginia Wolf lived which is right across the park from the Y.
Queen Victoria monument
The London Eye
I always go on the London Walks and this time I notice there is one called "The Cotswold Walk" which really interests me as I haven't been to the Cotswolds for years either. You meet a the Paddington train station and go from there for the day. These walks are always so much fun and this one sounds outstanding.
THE COTSWOLDS is an area in S. central England
roughly 25 mi (40K) across and 90 miles (145 Km) long just south of Stratford-on-Avon to just south of Bath. The name means "sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides" ("wold" meaning 'hills') The name is derived from the 12th century "Codesuualt" or "Cod's-wold" - Cod's is high open land (old English) or it could come from Brittonic name "Cuda" - a mother goddess in Celtic myth who was thoughtot reside int hat area. Cotswolds is famous for its honey-colored limestone villages. http://coswolds.com
Caerphilly Castle
After that, I'll be heading to WALES to visit my cousins in CAERPHILLY (where my dad was from). I love going there and every time I do I visit 'my castle', the Caerphilly Castle, one of the most magnificent in the UK. I'll only be in Caerphilly for a couple of days before heading to Cardiff to catch a flight to Alicante, Spain where my friend Inka will meet me to take me to her home town farther along the south coast to Torrevieja.
Me, in front of my castle.
NEXT STOP: SPAIN
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