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Greece: On the way in the nice Vienna airport.
Welcome to Thessaloniki. Am evening stroll along the Aegean Sea.
Thessaloniki: Fishing in the Aegean Sea.
Edessa Waterfalls
Behind the Edessa Waterfall.
Large site of Pella, the Macedonian antiquities.
Beautiful Macedonian mosaics of Pella
Maria explains life in ancient Pella.
Cotton harvest - going to market. The streets are lined with cotton in some places.
Pella excavated columns (and a modern dog)
Floor mosaic in the house of the "Abduction of Helen."
Gorgeous orange berries, I think called Firethorn.
Our group of intrepid travelers at Pella. Leader Maria carrying the umbrella.
In the Archaeological Museum of Pella, more mosaics and artifacts. A cat, a dear, and a bird of prey.
In the Archaeological Museum of Pella, now sure who is reding the leapord.
In the Archaeological Museum of Pella, a burial couch.
Back in Thessaloniki, a view from the 15th century White Tower window. This was once known as the tower of blood.
Another view from the White Tower, old reconstructed boats on the Aegean.
Lovely street in Thessaloniki with the top of the White Tower in the bachground.
Judy and I visited the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, about 3rd century BC, god Poseidon and goddess Demeter.
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the relief sculptures are amazing.
Full photo of the White Tower, formerly known as the Tower of Blood in the 17th century when Ottomans tortured prisoners there.
Thessaloniki, walkway/fishing spot on the Aegean Sea.
Thessaloniki
Alexander the Great on his horse Bucephalus only he could ride.
Thessaloniki, Arch of Galerius,
a preserved part of the ancient Byzantine walls.
Walking towards the Church of St. George, circular Roman structure.
Maria explains the neighborhood's history.
Church of St. George, Roman structure.
Thessaloniki, Basilica of St. Demetrios, containing remains of the city's patron saint.
In the basilica, the casket of remains of St. Demetrios.
Climbing to the Byzantin walls of the city with expansive views of the city.
View from the ancient city walls.
Another view of the city walls.
Now to Vergina, first capital of Macedonia: Royal Tomb of King Philip II (father of Alexander the Great) has been excavated with amazing results. This is the gold larnax holding the bones of a young Royal wife and was found in the antechamber of the tomb's marble sarcophogus. Above it is a gold crown.
Huge fresco in Philip's tomb depicting Hades abducting Persephone
Excavated marble entrance to tomb of a young man thought to be a member of the royal family, died 4th century B.C. Probably Alexander IV, son of Alexander the great.
Excavated tomb of Philip II.
Lunch in the town near the archaeological site of Vergina, Central Macedonia.
Nature scenery taken on the drive from Vergina to Kalambaka, our next town.
Meteora and the ancient Byzantine Monasteries: this was taken from the elevator in the hotel. Tomorrow we head for those heights to visit them.
We took a short walk, and saw this monastery perched on top of the cliff. We'll see a lot of these tomorrow.
Next morning we are heading out and up!
One of the Meteora monastaries
Monastery build into the top of this tower, gleaming in the morning golden sunlight.
Look closely to see the ropes hanging down the cliff face, one of them from the top of the monastery. This is NOT how we will ascend (or descend).
View from another direction of the one we will climb (steps) to explore.
We are getting closer. Again, look carefully to see the rope hanging form the building ledge. This is how they once brought up materials, and even people.
One monastery looming over us, another in the distance under the morning moon and yellow sunlight.
Amazing view of monastery perched in midair.
Whew, we've climbed those stairs and now we wait for the monastery to welcome us inside.
This cat entertains us while we wait, though in fact his antics above the abyss are scaring me silly.
No photos allowed inside :( but here is the garden in back.
Huge wine barrel! None was offered.
This is that perch from which the ropes are extended, and this is a "rope basket" available for ascent or descent. We declined.
Quite a distance away, but looks like a hiking area. The rock formations are fascinating.
Another view of the garden with the mountain view.
Another view of this monastery, bathed in golden light. This one appeared in James Bond, For Your Eyes Only.
Painting/mural was not inside the area where photos are prohibited and gives some idea of the inside contents.
Seemed like a good idea, but the monastery was too far away.
Cute markings! I miss my cats.
What a view of the expanse of the Peneios Valley!
Closer view from a different side. Note the stairway cut into the tower abut 2.3 of the way up.
Yes, OK, I was entertaining myself, but it does make the point!
View of another monastery. Again, note the ropes down the right side.
Our bus is loaded on a ferry, along with other buses, huge trucks, and cars, and we head for the island of Corfu.
Our bus on the ferry.
We approach Corfu, which looks quite inviting.
Once we are off the ferry, we can look around to see the beauty of the island.
Corfu looks quite hilly with lots of trees.
Sunset in Corfu from our balcony.
Older area in Corfu. I think we were walking towards the Old Town.
Apartments and homes in Old Town (Kerkyra) on Corfu.
Old Town in Corfu.
Beautiful streets in Old Town area of Corfu.
Saint Spyridon Church, Greek Orthodox in Old town Corfu. It was built in the 1580s. (The fire hydrant is a later addition :).
Street in Old Town Corfu, waiting for the lunch crowd, colorful stores along the path.
We have baklavas, we have kumquat liqueur, we have honey and nuts. Greece is not for dieters!
Judy and I decided to go through this museum after lunch - history of Greece through its currency.
Beautifully artistic currency, some of it even a bit risque!
We decided to meet at McDonalds outdoor section, and this pigeon wonders why I don't have anything for her.
A major attraction on Corfu is the Achilleion (after Achilles) Palace in Gastouri, built for Princess Sisi (Empress of Austria).
Princess Sisi is present in the palace in stature and paintings. She was beautiful, but subject to depression.
Lovely (but depressed) Princess Sisi.
Detail in a gorgeous armoire.
View from the back gardens.
Proud statue of Achilles overlooking the sea, namesake of the castle.
Sad statue of Achilles, pulling the deadly arrow (broken) from his heel.
The Triumph Of Achilles, huge painting in the Achilleion Palace.
Evening scene - still warm enough for dinner outside.
Up early for a ferry to Igoumenitsa.
This one is larger than the one we arrived on. The trucks, buses, and cars just keep coming and loading! Looks like some people going to work by ferry.
Corfu gleams in the morning light as we pull away.
Looking back, I realize that I didn't quite understand the shape of Corfu until now.
Terrible photo resolution, but loved the water tracks right back to Corfu.
As we approach our destination (Igoumenitsa I think), I watch the ferry ramp descend.
We arrive at Preveza to a forest of sailboats!
Llunch at Preveza, where shops line the little stone streets.
Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, one of the world's longest multi-span cable bridges, longest that is fully suspended: crossed the Gulf of Corinth near Patras. Prepare for too many photos, love this!
Beautiful town of Nafpaktos! So many diners (and drinkers) out this night.
Also called the Rio–Antirrio Bridge because it connects these two towns across the Gulf of Corinth.
Fishing from the stone wall off the coast of Nafpaktos.
Looking out to the Gulf of Corinth.
Stone wall protecting Nafpaktos from the Gulf.
Good place for wind-generated energy.
Heading towards site of Delphi today, and the archaeological Museum on Mount Parnassos.
Wasn't this dark out, but the shine of the water had this effect on the photos (and my settings, of course).
Calm simplicity.
Too many of the Sea of Corinth but this road runs along the south side and those mountains on the peloponnese on the north side were so lovely.
Olive trees in every valley and hill.
Delphi Archaeological Museum on Mount Parnassos.
Amazing reliefs in the Delphi Archaeological Museum on Mount Parnassos.
Relief at Delphi Archaeological Museum on Mount Parnassos.
Sort of a Grandma Moses character?
Odd looking cats.
Hermes i think. Male beauty was admired.
Perfect in bronze.
Bronze works, apparently done by lost wax.
Into another UNESCO site, Delphi, and the Temple of Apollo where important oracles were dispensed.
No oracles here, just Judy and Kim.
Temple-like structure, Delphi.
Ancient columns on the path to the Temple of Apollo.
View from the path to the Temple of Apolla. Spiral column looks different??
Structures in Delphi, originals from 7th century BC but rebuilt after a fire in the 6th century.
They had an amazing view!
Delphi: Always an ancient theater or arena.
Greeks had (have) a stunning view from Delphi.
A lot of climbing, easier with steps than on rocks!
On my way back down, this nice level stretch.
Lovely local lunch spot.
For my friends who love flowers, this hotel goes overboard!
Heading back to Nafpaktos.
Ethereal sea and sky.
So much quiet beauty!
We saw both wind turbines and solar panels on our drives. (Taken through a window).
Straight photo but appears to be impressionist.
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Back to Nafpaktos for the night.
Opening in the stone wall that separates Nafpaktos from the Gulf of Corinth.
Opening in the stone wall that separates Nafpaktos from the Gulf of Corinth.
The view and walkway out the back of our hotel in Nafpaktos.
Exterior window on the sea side of our hotel.
Back to the Rion-Antirion Bridge acress the Gulf of Corinth.
We drove here to take more photos of the Rion-Antirion Bridge.
The sun was perfect for this shot. Done with the bridge now.
We visit the Achaia Clauss Winery, founded in 1861. Yes, we had samples!
Entrance to the winery.
Elementary school on or near the winery.
Their storage area has many beautiful barrels and interesting paintings, from whimsical to historical.
The rows of wine barrels go on and on, two rooms and more.
Paintings on the barrels and on the walls.
Many of the barrels are also carved beautifully!
Elaborate carving of the barrel lids.
Whole stories carved on these.
Last example of barrel art.
Hmm, looks more like olive trees than grape vines, but what do I know?
Next up: Olives and Olive Oil. This woman explains how her family built a successful olive farm.
Ripening olives
and persimmon trees.
an ancient olive tree.
West Pediment of Temple of Zeus, the battle of Lapiths and centaurs. God Apollo standing in the center.
West Pediment of Temple of Zeus, the battle of Lapiths and centaurs. God Apollo standing in the center.
East Pediment of Temple of Zeus, the chariot race of Pelops and Oinomaos.
Powerful detail from Temple of Apollo
Hermes of Praxiteles, messenger of the gods and a symbol of male beauty besides!
Bronce helmet, simple designs but look effective. Love the eyebrows!
And now the UNESCO site outside - Olympia and the Games.
Large archaeological site on mostly flat land (for a change).
Enough remains to help us picture it.
Covered with wildflowers...
Olympia must have been beautiful!
Olympia: some areas look untouched.
Olympian walls and arches
What sat on this column? Very dramatic.
Another view of the Sanctuary of Olympia.
Huge excavation.
Olympia, one of the more complete structures.
Ancient things.
Olympia, I think this was the Treasury area.
I take cat photos, she takes dog photos. We heard that both are well-cared for here.
This was one of the tracks for running.
Trying to imagine it with these huge columns.
Also on the grounds: Museum of the Olympic Games of Antiquity
Famous and beautiful statue representing the Olympics.
Relief from the Museum of the Olympic Games of Antiquity.
Museum of the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Apparently women and angels had to be clothed.
Lunch spot and cooking class at Olympus before heading to Nauplion.
What a tour - we have to cook our own lunch! Was delicious!
Fortress on high seen on the way to Nafplion.
After a walking tour, we had dinner in beautiful town of Nafplion.
The Archaeological Museum of Nafplion is in the town of Nafplion of Argolis, in Greece.
Gelato for dessert, but not sure it was with this cute guy.
The sunset in Nafplion was spectacular!
The castle fortress by night as seen in Nafplion.
Nafplion Harbor in a red sunset.
Nafplion and the castle.
Waiting for our boat ride around Nafplion and watching two hugh machines work on deepining the harbor.
The second huge crane claws mud and silt from the bottom. The Bourtzi Island Fortrress watches silently.
Yes, one too many crane photos, but I was fascinated. Seems like it would take forever at this rate of removal.
Island of Bourtzi topped by this huge Fortress Castle build by Venetians in 1473.
Back of the castle island outside of Nafplion.
Caught this one so as to generate lots of sun rays.
Do we really need another photo of the fortress?
Continuing on around the island to the point and a different view of a fort.
Around the point, the fort view.
Deepening and cleaning one shovel at a time.
Treasury of Atreus and the Tomb of Agamemnon is a large beehive tomb on Panagitsa Hill at Mycenae, Greece, constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC.
I was interested in the interior ceiling construction of the beehive tinb.
After visiting the tomb, we climbed to the "golden city" of King Atreus and Agamemnon. This is a view from near the entrance to the city.
The famous city entrance gauded by two cats.
The next photo caught the sun to generate a lot of sun flare.
Part of the city walls (and perhaps the granary) of the "golden city."
Amazing vista, they could see the hordes coming very early, from all directions.
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth. We are looking towards the Saranic Gulf. The canal separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland.
The Corinth Canal is all at sea level and has no locks. Ships simply pass through.
One more of the Corinth Canal looking towards the Corinth Gulf this time.
We arrive in Athens, stopping at the Olympic stadium to walk around.
Dinner tonight in Athens with some students, who teach us a Greek dance.
View of the Acropolis from our hotel rooftop bar, first night in Athens.
Early daytime view the next morning - hotel rooftop.
Another from the hotel rooftop in early morning.
Yet different light on the amazing Acropolis.
Views from the climb to walk in the Acropolis. The Theater.
The theater windows overlook Athens.
View of Athens from the Acropolis
Morning light on the Acropolis.
Another morning view through the Parthenon columns.
Reached the Parthenon in time to catch the morning light.
The Erechtheum, one of several temples, was turned into the governor's harem during the Ottoman occupation.
The Parthenon has been both a Christian Church and a Mosque in its long history. It's getting a major renovation now.
Parthanon detail, the pale parts are under reconstruction.
Detail, horses heads and a cat overlooking the valley.
These statues tell one of the important stories.
One of the temples called the Erechtheion with the six Caryatids serving as columns in the "Porch of Maidens."
One for the wall, several antiques here.
Would love to see this when they finish the restoration.
This is apparently where the people met to make governing decisions, quite literally the original seat of democracy.
The Museum of the Acropolis is not far away and houses all findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis.
The Museum sits over ruins of Athenian life, some going back to 5th century BC. These digs are worth visiting also.
Entrance area to the Museum of the Acropolis.
I believe this relief (without its background) is made from a cast created from the original which sits in the British Museum. This was true for several items.
More reliefs directly from the Acropolis.
Acropolis is clearly visible from the huge windows of the Museum of the Acropolis.
We walked from the Museum back to the hotel on streets filled with shops and shoppers, and had dinner at an outdoor restaurant along the way.
The end of our walk was in this quiet lovely neighborhood. The group had dinner together that evenong to say goodbye.
