Greece - March2006
Well left Denver on United Airlines, direct to Ireland. Landed at Shannon, family picked me up. Went to Tralee in County Kerry where some of me wife's relatives live.
Been here in Ireland for 12 days. Having a great time. Have gone from the West of Ireland to the East to County Wexford. St. Paddys was a grand day. Wore me Kilts, played the Bag Pipes, that I borrowed. Seems the spirits flowed freely.
Everywhere I went to 7 different homes of me children. Never worried about food, seems I was always sitting at a table. Weather been grand and visiting so many of me relatives both of me wife's side and me own.. St. Paddys day danced, ate, had a few nips, and was a grand day.
It�s the 18th of March, on me way to Greece. I slept most of the way, and arrived in Athens. Im staying here at the Hotel Athenaeum. It was very expensive, but I was tired and reservations were already made. Have a grand view of the city. Im on the 11th floor. They gave me extra wine cheese and sweets and a lot of "goodies". I was very tired so slept like a log. Supper was of Sea food different types. Desert was cream puffs like with a rich cream, covered with ice cream. Stayed here one night, breakfast was Ham eggs, potatoes, cottage cheese, plenty of coffee.
Met a couple from California a tad younger than I. So we teamed up and rented a car, will go North to tour Greece. Towns we visited and stopped off were Khalkies, Thivai, Lamia, and now spend night in Veles. Nice small hotel for 40 Euros, over looking the Aegean Sea. Supper was pork chops, artichoke salad, potatoes, Plenty wine and strong coffee. Hope I do not float away. Desert was vanilla puddin.
Another day, on the way to Lerise, along coast to Thessaloniki. Here can see Turkey, Bulgaria, not far away. Will spend night here. Weather has been nice about 45 degrees. and some rain. Supper was Meat Ball soup, great Salad, noodles with ground beef, some great sea food. Boy they like to eat, so do I. Desert Raisin Cake with ice cream. Been long day.
Well here in Florino not far from Albania and Yugoslavia. Just walking around to see the old structures. Earthquakes from previous times really damaged a lot of history. Just stopped in Igeumenitsa for lunch over looking the Ionia Sea. Had a nice Lamb sandwich and cold drink. Greece sure has a lot of old temples, roads pretty good shape. Have crossed the Akheioos Potainos River. The river starts in Albania.
Next spent the night in Mesolongion. Have seen a lot of history, and friendly people. Well supper was roasted chicken, cabbage/with rice, chicken pea soup, a big Salad, dessert was Walnut cake and more ice cream.
Have now traveled through Delphi, Olympia, so many towns. Always stop to meet the people and have a glass of wine and bread. Men sitting outside with their wine and women hanging out their clothes. Have seen a lot of wine vineyard areas.
Famous Moni Panagia chozoviotissa a Byzantine Monastery in Amorgas. Have seen a lot of Greece already so back to Athens. Have a nice Hotel Rio Athens, on the 4th floor. for 73 Euros. Has a grand view, can see Crete Island. They gave me wine, cheese and bread, a meal by itself. Also from room can see Aegean Sea.
Another guide from Hotel for 20 Euros. Is a college student at University of Athens. The most famous men here were Socrates, Plato, Aristateles, Aisehynes and to many to mention. The Monuments are something to behold Erechtheion, Temple of Athena(427BC,) Hill of Pnyka heard speeches of Themistokles, Penikles and Demosthenes, Temple of Hephaestus(449-440BC) Ancient Sgora theater of Tionysus (342-326) Kerameiko (cementaries),just to many to mention, all in excellent condition. There the theater of Herodes Atticus(161AD).Spent alot of time at the Acropolis(made from marble) Got special permission from the University to go inside. I was breathless to see perfect status,vases. Built between 447-438BC completed in 432BC.
Well been a grand 4 days here in Athens. Have had a great History lesson a country whos freedom started here. Had a grand meal with cokld goat milk, artichoke salad. While out on the patio over looking the Aegean Sea and a few glasses of wine fell asleep with a nice breeze.
Supper was Leg of Lamb, string beans, Eggplant salad Sweet Breads and Ice cokld Goat milk. Took a stroll met people me age. Chatted over tae. They seen me Irish shirt told them I was from Ireland, we kidded each other, we exchanged words in English, Greek and Irish, had a great laugh. I was invited to watch them dance in their costumes. Both women and men. Men in their short attire, (wheres me kilts) Had some beers and did a few of me jigs, they served a great meal of fish, shrimp, mussels, octopus, plenty of drinks.
Well clock said midnight, past me bedtime. to bed I go. Glad only a few blocks to go. Well grand morning, Breakfast of potatoes, veal, bacon, cereal and milk. Im stuffed. Here on this cruise ship viewed Island of Skiro s Andros,Tinos,Naxas and a few more. Landed at Crete. After visiting Sparta and a few other cities. Had a great sea food meal with music a grand few of the area, headed back to Hotel. Took a nap, was a grand day. I think of the history way back, wonder how I would survived in those days. Supper consisted of Tzaziki, onion soup, spinach pie Keftedas (meatball with noodles), plentyice cream, a fruit pie. Sat outside with some coffee, and just relaxed.
Me last day here. I�ve really enjoyed Greece, the music, especially the food, and the people went out of their way for me. But heading for Hungary tomorrow.