tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30694925017307137012024-02-20T04:15:36.675-06:00Tales from the TullsDebrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-43300283410907549222012-07-25T10:39:00.001-05:002012-07-25T10:39:18.898-05:00Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul,Turkey...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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July 10, 2012<br />
Greece/Turkey Trip<br />
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Julide gave us our instructions for the day and got us headed in the right direction-- we walked toward the Dolmabahce Palace; she then proceeded on her way to give a tour for the cruise ship tourists.<br />
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We had an early start for our morning… up at 6:00 a.m. dressed, ferry ride, and now here at the Palace by 8:00 a.m. Julide told us to be in line by 8:30, because the line gets long fast and can be a 2-hour wait in the sun. We found ourselves second in line
behind a mature couple from California, (I'm thinking we must be considered a mature couple now as well--haa) we had a nice visit until the Palace
opened at 9:00 a.m. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TGRjwmSPnKW7jGCOzaClw-ROFm2IQwZuPyTYKeyAbe4WgECGNsBcxblK7yYEQkJUuHb1QsMm4cO-rpH-y0GBZdXhVxUzOvDGU3FmjQhRuwQ16l7zUYqAAu8NruqucOGqrv5mrlNXw-f6/s1600/IMG_1695+Palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TGRjwmSPnKW7jGCOzaClw-ROFm2IQwZuPyTYKeyAbe4WgECGNsBcxblK7yYEQkJUuHb1QsMm4cO-rpH-y0GBZdXhVxUzOvDGU3FmjQhRuwQ16l7zUYqAAu8NruqucOGqrv5mrlNXw-f6/s400/IMG_1695+Palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After purchasing our ticket, we made our way through the ornate gate <br />and onto the palace grounds. This was our first view of the<br />Dolmabahce Palace... and it was grand!</td></tr>
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The palace was built between 1843-1856. The construction cost five million Ottoman mecidiye gold coins, which is the equivalent of 35 tons of gold! It was built on the Bosphorus Strait and contains a lot of gold and many crystals. It is the largest palace in Turkey. The palace sits on 11.2 acres and contains 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets; having three main areas (1) Selamlik- the quarters reserved for the men; (2) Harem- the residential apartments for the family of the Sultan; and (3) the Ceremonial Hall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujtaUiwAvKlueYX2CjIn5ZLbELlrr4p5kyYDkhNcCx_GlbKwEmhNWFuCjS_TL3o0lRu71CZVdkDavOU4hPpG0AL_DwQKT-9qnCQbIkhAyHloC9WrZV_S4p-4tatGrPBq5qBziPtKZZA41/s1600/IMG_1695A+dolmabahce+from+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujtaUiwAvKlueYX2CjIn5ZLbELlrr4p5kyYDkhNcCx_GlbKwEmhNWFuCjS_TL3o0lRu71CZVdkDavOU4hPpG0AL_DwQKT-9qnCQbIkhAyHloC9WrZV_S4p-4tatGrPBq5qBziPtKZZA41/s400/IMG_1695A+dolmabahce+from+water.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this picture on the web that was taken from the air <br />and it gives you a better perspective of it's massive size. <br />And even here, you can not see everything!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gate to the Treasury was just to the left as we entered the palace grounds.<br />The couple in the photo is the one we visited with from California,<br />I had not paid any attention or noticed them when taking this picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtD7a7MQ7m7Opv-3ghv4p1lSm8ICAkIgLmEEbf9qu0FP0Hp-xkyn4p8VhSf6kAK8n2lfK-Nc9OQPZr1M5a9kP6zCs5rXfyqYLLrS5Nqk7iXy-NjXzC3v653D2uhp1ezUzW3ziDu3t3edo/s1600/IMG_1789+close+up+Palace+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtD7a7MQ7m7Opv-3ghv4p1lSm8ICAkIgLmEEbf9qu0FP0Hp-xkyn4p8VhSf6kAK8n2lfK-Nc9OQPZr1M5a9kP6zCs5rXfyqYLLrS5Nqk7iXy-NjXzC3v653D2uhp1ezUzW3ziDu3t3edo/s400/IMG_1789+close+up+Palace+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail at the top of the Treasury Gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was to our right -- another gate for entry to/from the water.</td></tr>
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I cannot describe in words how beautiful the palace was. All of the surrounding grounds were well-tended and so picturesque. It
was truly beautiful! First
thing, we took a full-guided tour of the Palace. Photos inside were not allowed; so I will take the liberty to share a couple photos from the web with you in a bit, of a few things inside the Palace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgAAFY4ileyJhzYiw0hqHQWUyxpG28IuYpXApPIcBQJN8UgQ_PeJPHaOrtuuQ5lobHmPdfty4spWDwMVbqcMQnTpvtlfsfyG_mUkTJSg6yanqHVsCcuYGfHMwuNki_uXKIAaxRHJccZQD/s1600/IMG_1711+Footies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgAAFY4ileyJhzYiw0hqHQWUyxpG28IuYpXApPIcBQJN8UgQ_PeJPHaOrtuuQ5lobHmPdfty4spWDwMVbqcMQnTpvtlfsfyG_mUkTJSg6yanqHVsCcuYGfHMwuNki_uXKIAaxRHJccZQD/s400/IMG_1711+Footies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But first, before entering the Palace we had the<br />opportunity to wear these lovely footies over our shoes<br />to protect their woven mats, rugs, and wood flooring<br />throughout the Palace... I don't blame them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9YXUd440JEHspW34ye9rCc-GZZURUsfGEh845hjTvvXbE4QL63OBXsn8Do8twY-gDtSqpCWDtNxrKo8e3r2Fl51DGJIVTcVL1aUZEV4LGFnZvZRLO1Go55fBD6ZOYnem26QDdA6yECTR/s1600/IMG_1712+guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9YXUd440JEHspW34ye9rCc-GZZURUsfGEh845hjTvvXbE4QL63OBXsn8Do8twY-gDtSqpCWDtNxrKo8e3r2Fl51DGJIVTcVL1aUZEV4LGFnZvZRLO1Go55fBD6ZOYnem26QDdA6yECTR/s400/IMG_1712+guard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the tour, I took a quick picture with the guard... and of course, Dennis<br />had to discuss what kind of gun. While the guard spoke very little English,<br />they did communicate so that DT learned it was MP-5 sub machine gun.<br />And imagine, this guy did not ask "why" three times; in-fact, not even once!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aJNs2N_Fkux7DFaGc6dRxQ_nK7JbuyyQowCh9YT_26LhGBlW77RllHCpxwFpEMxZsuZd1EN9SRkCg6QT_7dW3O6HzRgIz01ol3prJqVahQyEwkHTk_ODqM1dvWvDkKtIkYWesXLfU_vI/s1600/IMG_1793+Clock+Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aJNs2N_Fkux7DFaGc6dRxQ_nK7JbuyyQowCh9YT_26LhGBlW77RllHCpxwFpEMxZsuZd1EN9SRkCg6QT_7dW3O6HzRgIz01ol3prJqVahQyEwkHTk_ODqM1dvWvDkKtIkYWesXLfU_vI/s400/IMG_1793+Clock+Tower.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clock Tower in front of the Palace<br />was constructed between 1890-1895</td></tr>
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As we Left the Dolmabahce Palace, we noted the time on this beautiful Clock Tower that stands in front of the palace. We stayed almost four hours touring the palace and grounds. The landscaping was beautiful and I was amazed at how many of the same flowers they have growing in Turkey as I do at home. Not that my gardens look anything like the palace grounds, but the variety of plants-- many were the same.<br />
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Here is a picture of the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier that hangs in the Ceremonial Hall. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6JbpdvhBaDos8W9m-X1ZS0ga5SuFLbCNg4LgrZ4v50YXinuqtyXxgcoQcODItTZNsHQs080SIbw3eFdANoKW1BiHispNkQ-F9ZaiC3cIZg2EIAyhdc2DHNDoTuNc1YEGmGFnW5PYTADJ/s1600/IMG_1794B+Chandlier+in+Ceremonial+Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6JbpdvhBaDos8W9m-X1ZS0ga5SuFLbCNg4LgrZ4v50YXinuqtyXxgcoQcODItTZNsHQs080SIbw3eFdANoKW1BiHispNkQ-F9ZaiC3cIZg2EIAyhdc2DHNDoTuNc1YEGmGFnW5PYTADJ/s400/IMG_1794B+Chandlier+in+Ceremonial+Hall.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows some of the Ceremonial Hall and it's grandeur.</td></tr>
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The chandelier was a gift from Queen Victoria; it has 750 lambs and weighs 4.5 tons (9,000 lbs)! There are several other Bohemian crystal chandeliers throughout the palace and the collection is the largest in the world. The palace also exhibits one of the greatest staircases of Baccarat crystal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj817cAKZuxn_bNcYgG2zLeE5EsoN_Xxbe5jtuYlwL6vLfukSU2UExVMtYl7tVvb4kWEd-wKHh7G8VS-AnKVOSl315P99nkV3XVXKEYr6iP_wyXdHpCe6dZTOarxJt3o4EGKZuhvFhmS_KR/s1600/IMG_1794+Chandlier+Dolmabahc%CC%A7e+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj817cAKZuxn_bNcYgG2zLeE5EsoN_Xxbe5jtuYlwL6vLfukSU2UExVMtYl7tVvb4kWEd-wKHh7G8VS-AnKVOSl315P99nkV3XVXKEYr6iP_wyXdHpCe6dZTOarxJt3o4EGKZuhvFhmS_KR/s400/IMG_1794+Chandlier+Dolmabahc%CC%A7e+palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the best photo I have come across of the crystal banisters!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqABARKpRbEvtqQeJ2vdW9LsiFA4BMzTWGoZMVkaUm6UETSLfdG46zbVhpOttd74ThBD3CI1g49fNo059C79IicHSMZqmCH9aTRY1-iCH3m4REe-RDzLebmdXhM2R7tpwyfjtv2ncyN5ud/s1600/IMG_1794A+Chandlier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqABARKpRbEvtqQeJ2vdW9LsiFA4BMzTWGoZMVkaUm6UETSLfdG46zbVhpOttd74ThBD3CI1g49fNo059C79IicHSMZqmCH9aTRY1-iCH3m4REe-RDzLebmdXhM2R7tpwyfjtv2ncyN5ud/s400/IMG_1794A+Chandlier.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chandelier was not lit up while we were there, but we can all have a<br />glimpse of the magnificent elegance it held.</td></tr>
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While the chandelier and staircase were not the only thing to see in the palace, this gives you an idea of why we might have spent almost four hours touring. We viewed the Harem apartments as well; and of course, they did not have the same elegance, but the facility and grounds as a whole was massive and most interesting to think that people really lived like this.<br />
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Our day will continue with a ferry ride to one of the Princes' Islands where we will meet up with Julide's boyfriend, Tolga.<br />
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To be continued...<br />
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-66573028904931082222012-07-23T13:31:00.000-05:002012-07-25T10:44:45.632-05:00Arriving Istanbul, Turkey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 9, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
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Woo hoo, our flight went without any problems from Crete/Athens/Istanbul… and, we had
luggage!! We arrived in Istanbul late evening. Our friend, Julide, was going to pick us up, but she was uncertain which
airline to pick us up. We had
written so many emails back and forth prior to the trip-- I was nuts trying to
plan for such a long trip and Julide had been touring in the U.S. while we were
in Greece, so we were both busy and distracted. Also, I did not always have wi-fi, so quick communication was more difficult once we were in route; and looking back through the numerous emails was
difficult when you are looking for a specific piece of info. We did find a pay phone and called her
cell, she was already at the airport and made it to our terminal within minutes.</div>
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You have to realize the purpose of our trip to Greece
and Turkey was to see our friends whom we had met through Rotary International. They came to
Oklahoma in 1997 and toured our state for four or maybe six weeks. They stayed three nights in Cushing and
became our friends for life! Julide
has traveled back to the U.S. several times leading groups of Turkish tourists;
and she has also done an exchange teaching program in the U.S. She is a tour guide (and an English
teacher); which works out very nice for us… but the best part is our friendship! We did meet up with her on one of her later trips to Oklahoma and got to spend some time with her. Julide lives in Istanbul, which is
located in the Northwestern part of Turkey.</div>
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Filiz, was also a Rotary GSE (Group Study Exchange) member who
actually stayed in our home during their tour of Cushing. We love Filiz as well and we have communicated
via email for 15 years. Filiz is a Petroleum Engineer and works for the Turkish Government. She also
made a trip to Houston for business one time, and was able to visit in Cushing for a couple days. We cherish her friendship, she is so sweet! She lives in Ankara, which is the capital City, and I will call it the central area of Turkey.</div>
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Dr. Irfan was another member of the GSE team and we had lost
contact with him over the years, but Julide let him know we were coming to
Turkey and he wanted us to come see him in Antalya. We are blessed to have regained the contact and now have
another dear friend. He is a general surgeon in Antalya. Antalya is
located on the Southern tip of Turkey along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. His flat over-looks the sea, but we
managed to put up with the view! I
guess someone had to do it! …to say the least, his flat and the view were both gorgeous and we laughed so much with him!</div>
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Everyone was so generous and kind to us as we made our visit
to see him or her in their respective cities in which they live. I am so glad that after all these years
we finally made that connection with them and that we got to see their
beautiful country. Filiz has asked
us for years, “When are you coming?” Finally, we made it; we just had to find the right
time. There were two other team members, but Puren is living abroad in London and Nezaket was not available when we visited in Ankara. We thought we would get to see her, but timing did not coordinate... maybe next time for Nez and Puren.</div>
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Each area of the country we traveled had so much to offer as
far as sites or things to see, but our time with each of them is what we
cherish the most.</div>
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We arrived and made connections with Julide first in
Istanbul. We began to make our way
through traffic starting from the European side, with our goal to get across the
bridge to the Asian side where Julide lived. It really wasn’t far from the airport but getting
across the bridge took about two hours because of construction and because of Istanbul
traffic. We literally crawled at a
snail’s pace, but believe me the rest of our time in Istanbul was anything but
slow! Julide can walk faster than
anyone I know! And there were
times we needed to walk fast, or rather she did and we jogged behind her trying to keep up. At times I laughed so hard I could
hardly jog! So many funny memories with her; and we had the pleasure of meeting her boyfriend, Tolga, and spending time with him as well. We loved Tolga too!</div>
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Anyway, July 10<sup>th</sup> was our first full day in
Istanbul, and Julide was scheduled to guide a tour for a Princess cruise ship that
day. We knew her tour was scheduled,
but she had other plans for us while she did that. We all took the ferry in early morning back to the Asian side of the
Bosphorus Strait, which is the dividing factor of the two sides. </div>
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There was much to see along the way on the ferry ride. The Haydarpasa Train Station was one of the spectacular sites. It is the busiest rail terminal in Turkey. It has connections to the bus and ferry services and the tram is only a few blocks away from the station. The building itself is beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BDTKe4Nzpb6nq4GdP2socHNBUivsmmmJf7dDEStpLoWylLNaGj1Y9XExKnJspRas1xEl_CNgYyBUP2Dd5X12c-NWxFHqoXO5mu91ccWSz1NUPT5mS7HFYJ_lU4iMwwRnrjpigmGcrEZT/s1600/IMG_1643+Train+Station+Istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BDTKe4Nzpb6nq4GdP2socHNBUivsmmmJf7dDEStpLoWylLNaGj1Y9XExKnJspRas1xEl_CNgYyBUP2Dd5X12c-NWxFHqoXO5mu91ccWSz1NUPT5mS7HFYJ_lU4iMwwRnrjpigmGcrEZT/s400/IMG_1643+Train+Station+Istanbul.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haydarpasa Train Station on the Bosphorus. The station opened in 1872.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NtqSK9VR1rCdIHYgU0nep-kqY7rLqg1x_fIi0V-FNkZ2FZqu3FZE3rmSrRsDHGM3wOtJFVnCNNhM_5RBRXf76SA757a1_u5kYsHl0NV2Jy-YrBBNJAEI-GU4jTBODPX95m9tFExSlnuf/s1600/IMG_1644+Train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NtqSK9VR1rCdIHYgU0nep-kqY7rLqg1x_fIi0V-FNkZ2FZqu3FZE3rmSrRsDHGM3wOtJFVnCNNhM_5RBRXf76SA757a1_u5kYsHl0NV2Jy-YrBBNJAEI-GU4jTBODPX95m9tFExSlnuf/s400/IMG_1644+Train.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View as we approached closer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_WFGRIK2wu-tqblRJj4qELmjrjXSMFVs6YV_vC22ijxAXj_Kd-A0zMKgIN6rgjXwPsovecNexdAMmOzif2c4KcROqT6bkwWNL7U2buUviEn7edRXa8EfjqV_wFR1gBpcc0QH1WZ4gP4a/s1600/IMG_1647B+Haydarpasa+Train+Station+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_WFGRIK2wu-tqblRJj4qELmjrjXSMFVs6YV_vC22ijxAXj_Kd-A0zMKgIN6rgjXwPsovecNexdAMmOzif2c4KcROqT6bkwWNL7U2buUviEn7edRXa8EfjqV_wFR1gBpcc0QH1WZ4gP4a/s400/IMG_1647B+Haydarpasa+Train+Station+.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station from the front and Pier<br />
There was a fire on the roof in 2010 and the station is now being renovated</td></tr>
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To be Continued:
<a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/dolmabahce-palace-in-istanbulturkey.html">Dolmabahce Palace </a></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-49403625921310761652012-07-23T09:36:00.000-05:002012-12-05T02:05:59.994-06:00Changing of the Guards in Athens, Greece...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 9, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
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We continued on our way to watch the ceremonial procession of the
changing of the guards at the Parliament Building. This elite unit is called Evzones and they are all volunteers being selected from the Hellenic Army's Infantry. Most are identified during basic training at the Recruit Training Center. They guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion 24 hours a day. The guards are disciplined standing at attention and cannot move. There is a minimum height for them of 1.86 meters which converts to just a little over 6'1"; but most of them average over 6'3".</div>
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The military police are responsibility for them and if something on their uniform gets out of place, blowing in the wind or such, it is up to the police to straighten or keep everything in place during their guard duty</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZ7SriEC8QlRyVoU5Zh2874l7jG6EIBlIYikUqzAChjbPMQaOeFlB0m6XZlOSNI0Bu8Z-FjkOJuTIxR9VMyHUhB_PUaV9ri59e0G6JeVAwWDpVE2I6JozKwqaltq8x6B0HLP1EFvaRzm/s1600/IMG_1576+Guards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZ7SriEC8QlRyVoU5Zh2874l7jG6EIBlIYikUqzAChjbPMQaOeFlB0m6XZlOSNI0Bu8Z-FjkOJuTIxR9VMyHUhB_PUaV9ri59e0G6JeVAwWDpVE2I6JozKwqaltq8x6B0HLP1EFvaRzm/s400/IMG_1576+Guards.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are with one of the guards. Obviously we could not touch them.<br />
If we happened to do that, (which we did not); but if we did,<br />
they would bang their gun on the pavement and the police would come.<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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They have a regimented walk or march they do changing from
one tower to the other every 15 minutes just to keep circulation going in their
legs and feet. They stand guard
for one hour and then a new set of guards comes. Lambros explained that they have a shift with this rotation for 6 hours; then new guards do the same rotation -- thus the changing of the
guards. We happened to get there for one of the hourly changes taking place.</div>
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The kilt-like uniform is interesting including the leggings and clunky shoes all adorned with tassels.</div>
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Here are a few photos of the pomp and circumstance they go
through (well, maybe more than a few once I compiled them):</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD7Eu6gKWyhVrclH55I_PzxMtmIP9gmqLufFca4fgfPtoI2BLTqcGcu2Rmu7rclnHN9d-TLFNTMpAsIcKUArczNsGV_-Zqa0JiR5D2S1OOC7RdpxYMHeIz8BGNhlzsYe6aM0R5vAyfs2G/s1600/IMG_1583+guards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD7Eu6gKWyhVrclH55I_PzxMtmIP9gmqLufFca4fgfPtoI2BLTqcGcu2Rmu7rclnHN9d-TLFNTMpAsIcKUArczNsGV_-Zqa0JiR5D2S1OOC7RdpxYMHeIz8BGNhlzsYe6aM0R5vAyfs2G/s400/IMG_1583+guards.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The change begins...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFVj-0Xkn9MuDrUdfqmmdK9r-CrnV1YoT66of5DXeKE21d4uofbvWuvltj_jd7yYxsJ2aYXSGR4L16vsW_hqrsUR-4vXyV52W8yxSpArLJB9emZwDxI6ZbhkEal241xfnginBj7rnSLzv/s1600/IMG_1587guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFVj-0Xkn9MuDrUdfqmmdK9r-CrnV1YoT66of5DXeKE21d4uofbvWuvltj_jd7yYxsJ2aYXSGR4L16vsW_hqrsUR-4vXyV52W8yxSpArLJB9emZwDxI6ZbhkEal241xfnginBj7rnSLzv/s400/IMG_1587guard.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the march is very slow and controlled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxF1i82237XMtmCp7F3DKKy41F0eIiwrBCt2SEXryubrND_HrlYsrwUso14YXqvJKSWnyfOGoOzISvqDas2sZWxPELnm8_NOBuEbvwsZMuJbSEW4xudyA6aRsFfzRqEtZDs8Fvj4F8EA1/s1600/IMG_1590+guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxF1i82237XMtmCp7F3DKKy41F0eIiwrBCt2SEXryubrND_HrlYsrwUso14YXqvJKSWnyfOGoOzISvqDas2sZWxPELnm8_NOBuEbvwsZMuJbSEW4xudyA6aRsFfzRqEtZDs8Fvj4F8EA1/s400/IMG_1590+guard.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They pull their leg up and then it goes straight out <br />
and then they hold it there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoet1-SmbFb48qtm0CkUBI-By1sUPTvyrXgmK8mMLhFxlp7GoRs2kJVmQ00CxiLkLb4ySKOkc3U2bZpCm9bJb0vIA1KTgIacvDVC92SU_hAyNzj-kKVUZDPlSZOGk_R9BKETbOcLjfXQYp/s1600/IMG_1591+guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoet1-SmbFb48qtm0CkUBI-By1sUPTvyrXgmK8mMLhFxlp7GoRs2kJVmQ00CxiLkLb4ySKOkc3U2bZpCm9bJb0vIA1KTgIacvDVC92SU_hAyNzj-kKVUZDPlSZOGk_R9BKETbOcLjfXQYp/s400/IMG_1591+guard.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a very precise way of going back down too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TEK7tzBdPDqNCsd3LNvdWA3Qu97hCA7obLupjFViNIDjfciPeSysZ_5-CAE4CxmMemVk2ooXIQ0UoY1laLkF0xvuBiEImhJmavi-uL0hpcyrkfWgjvz7E_kuguTI9_shWNutTDAQ68uf/s1600/IMG_1592+guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TEK7tzBdPDqNCsd3LNvdWA3Qu97hCA7obLupjFViNIDjfciPeSysZ_5-CAE4CxmMemVk2ooXIQ0UoY1laLkF0xvuBiEImhJmavi-uL0hpcyrkfWgjvz7E_kuguTI9_shWNutTDAQ68uf/s400/IMG_1592+guard.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is all in slow motion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rQT65i1dG1EauPfeW44GBWbcDGVISIxNEyWQxPUUFo-fK-SeKQWshCwRYkSq9RjK7OYGlWZh0Vlr9d6wnGIkHb2fonZm5axO089KZAA5AZTxGHQuLBR0av31BAIKfSYqn7pit6LKtJl_/s1600/IMG_1594+guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rQT65i1dG1EauPfeW44GBWbcDGVISIxNEyWQxPUUFo-fK-SeKQWshCwRYkSq9RjK7OYGlWZh0Vlr9d6wnGIkHb2fonZm5axO089KZAA5AZTxGHQuLBR0av31BAIKfSYqn7pit6LKtJl_/s400/IMG_1594+guard.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now he waits for the other guard to basically<br />
do the same thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmhaG04SOG1WU-5XSYoNjyPW7-p8WB4BmQZkMIHhS7_IID18-SjWykYdP5OW-nGa2sSKplYyKMhOQGZSwlj8-7hCzkOaM76mm7ussQVrdytlyjQfYu-AaaiIYUZ0zQmgLS2KzpNJeREjR/s1600/IMG_1597+guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmhaG04SOG1WU-5XSYoNjyPW7-p8WB4BmQZkMIHhS7_IID18-SjWykYdP5OW-nGa2sSKplYyKMhOQGZSwlj8-7hCzkOaM76mm7ussQVrdytlyjQfYu-AaaiIYUZ0zQmgLS2KzpNJeREjR/s400/IMG_1597+guard.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I noticed this guard did not get his leg as high :-)<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndxclImmGrf2xRFapNQm2UScesSRTDOJeP8X3AkmACbdTlMP5m9PwAswDrPP4X6SkWKtQZ6xoPPI4QANH2xt9yyFOtt50Nu1Ok-cibnL_paqqwpbgqk55SXXYZwAgooEqQuDc2ged-5tK/s1600/IMG_1605+guard+police.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndxclImmGrf2xRFapNQm2UScesSRTDOJeP8X3AkmACbdTlMP5m9PwAswDrPP4X6SkWKtQZ6xoPPI4QANH2xt9yyFOtt50Nu1Ok-cibnL_paqqwpbgqk55SXXYZwAgooEqQuDc2ged-5tK/s400/IMG_1605+guard+police.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They meet in the middle and the military police<br />
inspects and straightens their uniform.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mAAIAiXmJX4Zf_yNUFAyjLa9zqiU6wGoEsA2XDPXu3fB2pefw_zUwwf6QOV8QyWjcQJBHGcVQJe4lohJUz1p8XiheIvhxpDjPTfEOl6XygqbgHojVcz-ekecp3XKt9RPxVBXs-Vmyfy6/s1600/IMG_1610+new+guards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mAAIAiXmJX4Zf_yNUFAyjLa9zqiU6wGoEsA2XDPXu3fB2pefw_zUwwf6QOV8QyWjcQJBHGcVQJe4lohJUz1p8XiheIvhxpDjPTfEOl6XygqbgHojVcz-ekecp3XKt9RPxVBXs-Vmyfy6/s400/IMG_1610+new+guards.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two new guards are escorted in by another guard and the military police.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUOysW9G9S_iE1Rw_pruB9zRhFI7fIwmJvAZrkMltPg1mffx7oF_TitKK6zjsaXbgEqFe2-rKZ_8lnQdVGAkdDDuyN-dFi0qJzeXt6Dwk8F2KBEuRQDry8AiNx6OuBuBWelc_2TvuM9Sl/s1600/IMG_1622+Receive+Orders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUOysW9G9S_iE1Rw_pruB9zRhFI7fIwmJvAZrkMltPg1mffx7oF_TitKK6zjsaXbgEqFe2-rKZ_8lnQdVGAkdDDuyN-dFi0qJzeXt6Dwk8F2KBEuRQDry8AiNx6OuBuBWelc_2TvuM9Sl/s400/IMG_1622+Receive+Orders.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orders are given by the escort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfX5yZYcpXP15xvm8bpf3WLHv95CtXyULqMM2-fyaJta4WXMwrX2P6_Y2-3-pesOnVW89D7ZEGiEhZKZ09BwK7SiTlDBEGNdjJdmayeg5tMVUhgZUXAGmLzGTLZCjr14Vx009SlQQ7F9f/s1600/IMG_1632+old+guards+leave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfX5yZYcpXP15xvm8bpf3WLHv95CtXyULqMM2-fyaJta4WXMwrX2P6_Y2-3-pesOnVW89D7ZEGiEhZKZ09BwK7SiTlDBEGNdjJdmayeg5tMVUhgZUXAGmLzGTLZCjr14Vx009SlQQ7F9f/s400/IMG_1632+old+guards+leave.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old guards...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCypAgjxW9ozhCrRs5bsn1YgVxP6BYIVfKTacPkkzCwOfkTSmjrfLagdxJkucl_kME2IRCaIgCaeGocwdFYi6J3JrXmygZxD7pCl-mPIchfpcLLy-XQelOQMJWsrcWVSmLa6yQ0xEyeVW9/s1600/IMG_1633+Perfectly+in+sync.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCypAgjxW9ozhCrRs5bsn1YgVxP6BYIVfKTacPkkzCwOfkTSmjrfLagdxJkucl_kME2IRCaIgCaeGocwdFYi6J3JrXmygZxD7pCl-mPIchfpcLLy-XQelOQMJWsrcWVSmLa6yQ0xEyeVW9/s400/IMG_1633+Perfectly+in+sync.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">begin their march away, perfectly in sync.<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8nBDAO8nkOfDRe9-PP1zI9HnElZ1a-mXFzzk3QYheESUHQTp21qdXFvsbLYE0wUoQLCAHEI848FmgtLLdNHZz0ZqdNDddlLNBaxK8LYUiLnjvy7nenWIfFRAg80kNBjloihSN3QdxOaS/s1600/IMG_1634+march+continues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8nBDAO8nkOfDRe9-PP1zI9HnElZ1a-mXFzzk3QYheESUHQTp21qdXFvsbLYE0wUoQLCAHEI848FmgtLLdNHZz0ZqdNDddlLNBaxK8LYUiLnjvy7nenWIfFRAg80kNBjloihSN3QdxOaS/s400/IMG_1634+march+continues.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...every step in sync!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWVl4EiXHHAV2yuBUG1ChS2Sj5RSBHVZ4fpat3CCV4npuLsEIiWhO0gMcENc7AwJGYwpW6WlIXZfR2RO-bPRM6SXuCP-DK6mKF0K0eQkF8XoYq3KuwjaNsHgo0X30XzhHLgpE0Y_O9Nx_/s1600/IMG_1635+March+continues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWVl4EiXHHAV2yuBUG1ChS2Sj5RSBHVZ4fpat3CCV4npuLsEIiWhO0gMcENc7AwJGYwpW6WlIXZfR2RO-bPRM6SXuCP-DK6mKF0K0eQkF8XoYq3KuwjaNsHgo0X30XzhHLgpE0Y_O9Nx_/s400/IMG_1635+March+continues.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">until gone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The new guards then begin their march into place. Our guide, Lambros, told us that people
are usually lined along the sidewalk, but we picked a perfect time to be
there. (It’s nice something right
happened for us.) He also said that
if people are in the way, then the guards still do their march and there are
times that people get kicked. The
whole process was interesting and we had the best view and could move for
pictures as needed. I found the
whole process very interesting. I cannot
imagine standing in the blazing hot sun wearing that uniform – not able to move or wipe the sweat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One last thing in Athens, we stopped to by some baklava and
Lambros circled around the block.
While we were waiting, we saw these police and just snapped a picture;
no particular reason, just part of the touring for us.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDFxTbquLtxxDTCaieC8oRRKZYwxnX8rUBz_VF9o7p3VZTE6VptW5BAuTTqkZ001govSTeNlxkajHsbuxvEAeZZtv52nNGIJKq_AOe_jQL8TERjX-mjba2RKpBKTQzxciQaPhLwLTeIZJ/s1600/IMG_1640+Police.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDFxTbquLtxxDTCaieC8oRRKZYwxnX8rUBz_VF9o7p3VZTE6VptW5BAuTTqkZ001govSTeNlxkajHsbuxvEAeZZtv52nNGIJKq_AOe_jQL8TERjX-mjba2RKpBKTQzxciQaPhLwLTeIZJ/s400/IMG_1640+Police.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Greek Police </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There was another policeman standing over a little ways and
he was not in the picture, but he came up to us and very arrogantly asked, “why?” Dennis told him just touring and was
just curious for our photo collection.
The officer again asked, “why?”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m thinking did you not just hear what we said, and we
explained it again. He again
asked, “why?” By now, I could tell
he was really on a power trip and we certainly had not done anything illegal;
but, I asked him, “do you want me to delete it?!? He just held up his hand and said, “bye!” We walked away and just laughed and
thought that it was pretty sad that the only really rude person we have met
thus far was a policeman! He was
very young…and what’s funny, he was not even in the picture and the other guys who were... never said a word.</div>
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<br /></div>
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With that said and done, Lambros made his way around the
block and picked us up. We were
now headed to the Athens airport to depart for Istanbul… we’ll hope this
flight goes uneventful :-) We will first meet up with our friend, Julide, in
Istanbul.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Lambros and <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">Private Greece Tours</a> for a wonderday day! I have linked to the web-site throughout this tour and on my blog because the company truly did cater to our needs and wants. We were on a limited time-frame for the day but yet we were able to see so much (between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.) because of our flight schedule. Private tours are the best, a luxury I recommend to everyone who tours. Your schedule is around you and the places you want to go and it is at the pace you want to go. You do not have to wait on anyone or worry about keeping up with anyone. Our pace is usually "on go!" ...so we enjoy the fact that we are never waiting on anyone!<br />
<br />
Okay, our travels continue on to Turkey and there is nothing better than spending time with a friend who can show you around!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Continued… <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/arriving-istanbul-turkey_23.html">Istanbul, Turkey</a></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-82023458901285939662012-07-22T18:42:00.003-05:002012-08-11T13:29:10.244-05:00Athenian Agora & National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 9, 2012</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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We stopped for lunch at a quaint little restaurant and had one of the traditional gyros that are so popular in Greece. We then headed to the Athenian
Agora and walked through the grounds. It covered a fairly large
area and they were still working on and excavating parts of it. We spent quite a bit of time here and really enjoyed the area.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip54fqVx4BoWkivibprf87dJAf8Kqxv-zKPCRxgWg3Fosn4SkDljLrhBOEXXgKsSepipPRucit_3jjL2lWKvUSSfLwRWdmH1YYyzW6bzUpyKRnEzjUqOcEOBVUM5VwLp7_Dy3EeLNSuXYe/s1600/IMG_1484+Holy+Aspostles+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip54fqVx4BoWkivibprf87dJAf8Kqxv-zKPCRxgWg3Fosn4SkDljLrhBOEXXgKsSepipPRucit_3jjL2lWKvUSSfLwRWdmH1YYyzW6bzUpyKRnEzjUqOcEOBVUM5VwLp7_Dy3EeLNSuXYe/s400/IMG_1484+Holy+Aspostles+Church.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of the Holy Apostles Solaki.<br />
This is the only monument apart from the Temple of Hephaistos that has<br />
remained in tact since it's foundation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuPYh3SBDyebRoVA8G3idVqA7ik3VvdP4aBebegnI_t1xcH1sNfgxeD702IRTnXKosDY9LW5EPBCOzwdmXaOOjq4bexA7IUwU8aNQ2o0GATRVKAttAKyF5s5I0XRSOaf_4o46_aCSGeN8/s1600/IMG_1488+Church+of+the+Holy+Apostles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuPYh3SBDyebRoVA8G3idVqA7ik3VvdP4aBebegnI_t1xcH1sNfgxeD702IRTnXKosDY9LW5EPBCOzwdmXaOOjq4bexA7IUwU8aNQ2o0GATRVKAttAKyF5s5I0XRSOaf_4o46_aCSGeN8/s400/IMG_1488+Church+of+the+Holy+Apostles.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window in the church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERSaDcENAA-GSgegvwRGCqSm4njWZaAhD-ra6Po_Q9OkA_kkBPhBlomZ0UZKvGGPswsqLNbPzYzL1ixnKZz4wwH2wg6vkuiirIaGCo0fahbTUPndwtBvZjXOz-mv7TgFnTZoaqzMLf7JI/s1600/IMG_1491+Dome+of+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERSaDcENAA-GSgegvwRGCqSm4njWZaAhD-ra6Po_Q9OkA_kkBPhBlomZ0UZKvGGPswsqLNbPzYzL1ixnKZz4wwH2wg6vkuiirIaGCo0fahbTUPndwtBvZjXOz-mv7TgFnTZoaqzMLf7JI/s400/IMG_1491+Dome+of+Church.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dome in the church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_aw8baLntxX4ssCaRcSyJdP2vWSLQN61QbMNB2Dnc44LvLYnGh8tv-xsle1JOIQ-dOgn4VlEdiCvCXBY288JrzfCm6_f9FMnZm2mhdsKvCTmyacKGlZh8pve-dzM8VGUeIcfBaiU0-FL/s1600/IMG_1493+Alcove+in+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_aw8baLntxX4ssCaRcSyJdP2vWSLQN61QbMNB2Dnc44LvLYnGh8tv-xsle1JOIQ-dOgn4VlEdiCvCXBY288JrzfCm6_f9FMnZm2mhdsKvCTmyacKGlZh8pve-dzM8VGUeIcfBaiU0-FL/s400/IMG_1493+Alcove+in+church.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcove in church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gL94oa1qzLgw_EsVupNwBrdsCEDaHLtZj-Vz69eEx5OP1HShz1EsVyZCgOEpKDI7h8gydone3srGlcYdFl-ntU85PlVlwQTQLhzZ3Q7pBsLrhM4DQSy7LlmB0Oh7RoYTKk0SDjfdxIY9/s1600/IMG_1517+Temple+of+Hephaistos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gL94oa1qzLgw_EsVupNwBrdsCEDaHLtZj-Vz69eEx5OP1HShz1EsVyZCgOEpKDI7h8gydone3srGlcYdFl-ntU85PlVlwQTQLhzZ3Q7pBsLrhM4DQSy7LlmB0Oh7RoYTKk0SDjfdxIY9/s400/IMG_1517+Temple+of+Hephaistos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple of Hephaistos on the Athenian Agora.<br />
(This is also known as the <span style="background-color: white;">Temple of Hephaestus)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the best preserved temple in all of Greece. It is the only temple in Greece that still has a roof. It was dedicated to two Gods - Hephaistos and Athena. The temple began construction in 449 B.C. <a href="http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtsagora4.htm">Here is a link for more info</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnJ3exTOIM8vMC7fWkhcRlHRuiuXllF4ZEKYx9uk16tH3H9TW6qnJOXirOlvz4JK2_KAHC3hNRw5DeCxxk8COhOeI7KbGzTqD5mzPYndqGAIPmFdKOoL37ZwoBXE3JIMR6cX5dO0IqGF8/s1600/IMG_1454+Stoa+of+Attalos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnJ3exTOIM8vMC7fWkhcRlHRuiuXllF4ZEKYx9uk16tH3H9TW6qnJOXirOlvz4JK2_KAHC3hNRw5DeCxxk8COhOeI7KbGzTqD5mzPYndqGAIPmFdKOoL37ZwoBXE3JIMR6cX5dO0IqGF8/s400/IMG_1454+Stoa+of+Attalos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Stoa of Attalos and was originally built in 150 B.C.<br />
It has been renovated and now is used as the Ancient Agora Museum.<br />
It houses many of the statues -- some with and some without heads; <br />
along with pottery and other artifacts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcr5MPMda7FNb4RN_unFuvubj4jj3z28E1gDcd-RwHpiZeHQhR_IHpStRQbkeIgEeqad5zoDk9zmR44PdTE67Ii1Bc7Xm8wFKsmZKqVMEBydIUfe15r9WP1O1Oaa-I7n6hPGYta2NiDHu/s1600/IMG_1471+Heads+Only.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcr5MPMda7FNb4RN_unFuvubj4jj3z28E1gDcd-RwHpiZeHQhR_IHpStRQbkeIgEeqad5zoDk9zmR44PdTE67Ii1Bc7Xm8wFKsmZKqVMEBydIUfe15r9WP1O1Oaa-I7n6hPGYta2NiDHu/s400/IMG_1471+Heads+Only.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are a few heads; sorry, <span style="background-color: white;">I have no idea who these people are, </span><span style="background-color: white;">but I should mention </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">that many throughout this museum and other museums as well, are </span><span style="background-color: white;">missing their noses.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYohs7lckm_V5jHLGBbcvh_kGWuZv1WXPfYrsoM6QXPJzBtzK7jVY-lwN_oDgJwL8h6wv12bcV-UUG7wmhoX6voPiaPiPZvpXXqitoHrRfvtror8FSW_PsKyuSyAJDZ4OwqxQOt_j66cn/s1600/IMG_1508+Excavating+of+Agora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYohs7lckm_V5jHLGBbcvh_kGWuZv1WXPfYrsoM6QXPJzBtzK7jVY-lwN_oDgJwL8h6wv12bcV-UUG7wmhoX6voPiaPiPZvpXXqitoHrRfvtror8FSW_PsKyuSyAJDZ4OwqxQOt_j66cn/s400/IMG_1508+Excavating+of+Agora.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excavating of the Athenian Agora.<br />
This is just one of the many sites they are still excavating in Greece!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVEsSamBMeYOZqnmmZVNh55jGasjp1Rcu1bour9PMUWndWafUcDhiL1kLC5JJCX7dVu0ioE27_IfRwF34pgQ-31A9kstmFirYCwWwzUH3UEg7YYYrPRCJXA2JvpIZrxQ0cmDoOtIi5qL6/s1600/IMG_1524+Deb:Den+Acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVEsSamBMeYOZqnmmZVNh55jGasjp1Rcu1bour9PMUWndWafUcDhiL1kLC5JJCX7dVu0ioE27_IfRwF34pgQ-31A9kstmFirYCwWwzUH3UEg7YYYrPRCJXA2JvpIZrxQ0cmDoOtIi5qL6/s400/IMG_1524+Deb:Den+Acropolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We could see the Acropolis from the Agora... <br />
seems like you can see the Acropolis from everywhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We also stopped at the National Archaeological Museum which was founded in 1889. If I remember right, there were 95 hallways or rooms and tons and
tons of artifacts. We are not big
on museums, but we made a quick run through it. There are findings from ancient Greece and all over the Greek World. The exhibits include, statues, frescoes, vases, jewelry, weapons, etc. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QxLXRkNFnvqCfFPakIsVa6bcfxwptA3xmUA5oOscNnYSt0281QNEv0-DoihneoFF9RwkPotFvZ0mjQS-V2oCRuzSTs9Tdv8E169_4pGKbvfJv8yRxzd7ZYp8FOq4QVKdwazKd21w81sN/s1600/IMG_1541A+Mask+Of+Agamemnon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QxLXRkNFnvqCfFPakIsVa6bcfxwptA3xmUA5oOscNnYSt0281QNEv0-DoihneoFF9RwkPotFvZ0mjQS-V2oCRuzSTs9Tdv8E169_4pGKbvfJv8yRxzd7ZYp8FOq4QVKdwazKd21w81sN/s400/IMG_1541A+Mask+Of+Agamemnon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most significant item of the museum is the golden mask of Agamemnon.<br />
We were not allowed to take a picture of it, but I got this from the web.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here are just a few pics I took:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcZeSO2vpc2d0b_uaTRNwo_lvqmW0r1RDIi8ThVa-cFCCZXLR72PUxuMlZibJHRNRliV2Sf5g9TJXzM_eDZa4qnmb57LoUyJiTM9oVmpxxw83f7QEblsFQkp3GcJ16Ec0YUMFRzV1gjVg/s1600/IMG_1541+Tomb+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcZeSO2vpc2d0b_uaTRNwo_lvqmW0r1RDIi8ThVa-cFCCZXLR72PUxuMlZibJHRNRliV2Sf5g9TJXzM_eDZa4qnmb57LoUyJiTM9oVmpxxw83f7QEblsFQkp3GcJ16Ec0YUMFRzV1gjVg/s400/IMG_1541+Tomb+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomb</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfduqMuitux0eOT8LAncaqmQkMpXJaUCMeZO4-AwJYLqHRrCONM7-AcWqCy92i8fgGVp3Nv6NsucSZ4gg7yePM0A7evSzsAJD3raLl6K_Oqfhvjuzi6AtiRDB9X6Ij6OAoYI1GBW-wqcF/s1600/IMG_1544+Statue+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfduqMuitux0eOT8LAncaqmQkMpXJaUCMeZO4-AwJYLqHRrCONM7-AcWqCy92i8fgGVp3Nv6NsucSZ4gg7yePM0A7evSzsAJD3raLl6K_Oqfhvjuzi6AtiRDB9X6Ij6OAoYI1GBW-wqcF/s400/IMG_1544+Statue+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkuYKfs1jzENn6Uh3evzbRJ5OilUAF-zSa3P_nbKdFeRWmf2a2LIazgmZHFvfifXe4fQ_gY7j2iKhCBr7brXb6cdrsnHB_vs9THp2ie8zUvWYsUG32CqukqzNhjx3bJCTSNyeTfYeUXiT/s1600/IMG_1547+Head+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkuYKfs1jzENn6Uh3evzbRJ5OilUAF-zSa3P_nbKdFeRWmf2a2LIazgmZHFvfifXe4fQ_gY7j2iKhCBr7brXb6cdrsnHB_vs9THp2ie8zUvWYsUG32CqukqzNhjx3bJCTSNyeTfYeUXiT/s400/IMG_1547+Head+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFP2QV_AL5lkUt1ZEc6a7u3FLbzbx-XGWJRw9Lq7Z2Itw9gQ04CeM-Wd9Uue5Dgf6hw79ZD77gQoLcbkGQIv9tlOxfJH6INm8-bCyBqhLoh1aHC5Wf-uRh3O-tSHvpRE3q0WckIJMPkTz/s1600/IMG_1570+Gold+Artifacts+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFP2QV_AL5lkUt1ZEc6a7u3FLbzbx-XGWJRw9Lq7Z2Itw9gQ04CeM-Wd9Uue5Dgf6hw79ZD77gQoLcbkGQIv9tlOxfJH6INm8-bCyBqhLoh1aHC5Wf-uRh3O-tSHvpRE3q0WckIJMPkTz/s400/IMG_1570+Gold+Artifacts+Nat+Arch+Mus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Jewelry, etc.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP1kAptpy2Wkw3flhJLgioUf7AUxz945c-6BFicXzo4m3lS_3Zp3jAqHftLlwGb96S6nQSNG7hPtz99dezvN5TRx4Y_MxhWkYuWhnlMEmaCjxSHtE7MwpPMph5W15iwSU-wVY-mWlZ8rf/s1600/IMG_1562+Vases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP1kAptpy2Wkw3flhJLgioUf7AUxz945c-6BFicXzo4m3lS_3Zp3jAqHftLlwGb96S6nQSNG7hPtz99dezvN5TRx4Y_MxhWkYuWhnlMEmaCjxSHtE7MwpPMph5W15iwSU-wVY-mWlZ8rf/s400/IMG_1562+Vases.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vases</td></tr>
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After viewing the Agora, we stopped and bought some ice cream, taking an ice cream bar back to Lambros. We had had a discussion about it being his and Dennis' favorite snack. He was very appreciative and ended up wearing part of his chocolate on his nice maize colored pants, but he said it was worth every bite. He said in all the years he has given tours, we were the first to ever buy him ice cream. We really had fun with Lambros.<br />
<br />
Here is a picture of him where we ran into one of his colleagues at the look-out point; and as you see him in this picture, he was always smiling. We loved him! He was young, fun, and very knowledgeable about his home city of Athens. We were so glad we booked the tour and had him for a guide. He was proud of his home city of Athens.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAlXdP8CdiHUGrJkdpQqGB3QNLeGkqqUtnHhyoUv-eNrJyBU-6QhhtFA67KsYnN_iAqsQWtvz9DF7SLYxkAH2qX0As2tW3XuG6Kkl0HBkF_33ei6G-y29EiMmn2n0z-8dIRXxHeCZBaue/s1600/IMG_1408+Lambros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAlXdP8CdiHUGrJkdpQqGB3QNLeGkqqUtnHhyoUv-eNrJyBU-6QhhtFA67KsYnN_iAqsQWtvz9DF7SLYxkAH2qX0As2tW3XuG6Kkl0HBkF_33ei6G-y29EiMmn2n0z-8dIRXxHeCZBaue/s400/IMG_1408+Lambros.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lambros in middle, his colleague on the Left and Dennis on Right<br />
Lambros was our tour guide from <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">Private Greece Tours</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To be continued:
<a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/changing-of-guards-in-athens-greece.html">Changing of the guards</a></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-72526904067402887642012-07-22T17:57:00.003-05:002012-08-11T13:28:00.835-05:00"Neoclassical Trilogy" in Athens, Greece<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: white;">July
9, 2012</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">Greece/Turkey
Trip</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">As
we drove through Athens, here are a few pics I took… it is hard to remember the
name of everything, but I promise, Lambros <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">(Private Greece Tours)</a> knew and told us about each thing
that we stopped at or drove by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId2rkwxLticqaai_zhvikbdD-_REbMHHGz9hPQAkKK24jLfeSyynYZX79L-iP3q5vyP-H6x9zXk6gvPSbT3z3d5AvRBIlzsllsoddakLsBvVN_bs99ZXPQ0QDVovxDwSGcZplcLmsG2xg/s1600/IMG_1417+Natl+Academy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId2rkwxLticqaai_zhvikbdD-_REbMHHGz9hPQAkKK24jLfeSyynYZX79L-iP3q5vyP-H6x9zXk6gvPSbT3z3d5AvRBIlzsllsoddakLsBvVN_bs99ZXPQ0QDVovxDwSGcZplcLmsG2xg/s400/IMG_1417+Natl+Academy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Academy is part of the Neoclassical Trilogy.<br />
It is the highest research establishment in the country.<br />
It was established in 1926 and operates under the Ministry of Education.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_UD7P1cpdvU0W5KLXyOLAUP_CJlrlIPERNfYCUVh1Bf9rYOgl21mL4nzHmtX86LZVF-HbM2XyLaBkx-UonFnvy3dCtIkZ2hBWE1F5QhNyE1r2-8KYawTtU85IUKd5FasJSocRzal5WhQ/s1600/IMG_1416+Ctr+of+Bldg+Close+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_UD7P1cpdvU0W5KLXyOLAUP_CJlrlIPERNfYCUVh1Bf9rYOgl21mL4nzHmtX86LZVF-HbM2XyLaBkx-UonFnvy3dCtIkZ2hBWE1F5QhNyE1r2-8KYawTtU85IUKd5FasJSocRzal5WhQ/s400/IMG_1416+Ctr+of+Bldg+Close+Up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of some of the detail at top. (National Academy)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjvFJSmcswRhF70igvSBWii2uPMiBWFQFJeg17SoleZCJCFHITP1WMz_V8U65bhitJzbqZCSSOuJglNjIl_qEL7WX5kKqvK5gt5gxSxr77taH0F7a_Tg1vtY2mb48zmYcpc4SzNjb0kKe/s1600/IMG_1420+Apollo+Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjvFJSmcswRhF70igvSBWii2uPMiBWFQFJeg17SoleZCJCFHITP1WMz_V8U65bhitJzbqZCSSOuJglNjIl_qEL7WX5kKqvK5gt5gxSxr77taH0F7a_Tg1vtY2mb48zmYcpc4SzNjb0kKe/s400/IMG_1420+Apollo+Statue.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Apollo standing on a tall ionic column in front of the Academy.<br />
Located on the right side</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI6upR7YGRywcn0MCJF8d_pxMyPBEV1fy4Srtwxppz_pJzd8ogAUDSG1kZHidrVb2G4D4Sh0B9NOIgIn3ZXPIxrbenUmX2AKv0u4W8dz7ggi0Iq-_mWt-O8cyhSMhhJ911gjMlzD_xk8C/s1600/IMG_1421+Athena+Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI6upR7YGRywcn0MCJF8d_pxMyPBEV1fy4Srtwxppz_pJzd8ogAUDSG1kZHidrVb2G4D4Sh0B9NOIgIn3ZXPIxrbenUmX2AKv0u4W8dz7ggi0Iq-_mWt-O8cyhSMhhJ911gjMlzD_xk8C/s400/IMG_1421+Athena+Statue.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Athena, she stands in front on the left side.<br />
Both statues are beautiful.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmR23h1C2N2xjUMDuC8OE_g1Rc0c_MWZIkfgF_W11UvSFOTf-g_x6roRMdcGZaT1z54S2e8Zp2YFtAdn_pWdcoiDBgav2Q7XvxmdxyEvuHfZ8XWa_bmsXLkAJYlxgHnU03Z3CFifw0I0w/s1600/IMG_1424+Athens+University.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmR23h1C2N2xjUMDuC8OE_g1Rc0c_MWZIkfgF_W11UvSFOTf-g_x6roRMdcGZaT1z54S2e8Zp2YFtAdn_pWdcoiDBgav2Q7XvxmdxyEvuHfZ8XWa_bmsXLkAJYlxgHnU03Z3CFifw0I0w/s400/IMG_1424+Athens+University.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The National University is also part of the Neoclassical Trilogy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3ueoO9ehCJUVXKtNfQ_yB5Ugk5fx3pCV6eVDXzdZHy-UXYkJ4MdJCAQkh-4UaHrKAayeYsHcvRFVNR_gcI9UaNARGXRgDgHGaaXzkdI2q6gwPz1Z6WUKxEpTJslwL7MbCnMTU7yr51xP/s1600/IMG_1426+Vallianios+National+Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3ueoO9ehCJUVXKtNfQ_yB5Ugk5fx3pCV6eVDXzdZHy-UXYkJ4MdJCAQkh-4UaHrKAayeYsHcvRFVNR_gcI9UaNARGXRgDgHGaaXzkdI2q6gwPz1Z6WUKxEpTJslwL7MbCnMTU7yr51xP/s400/IMG_1426+Vallianios+National+Library.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And lastly, The Vallianios National Library completes the Neoclassical Trilogy<br />
These three structures all stand in close proximity in downtown Athens. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05n9ctLKAd2wu-axUBrwa-nR6pheE5xLM3eIZ3oToQehe4Lhu98W9EERo_Pmrq4h-aBMMlppHUBZr_bGNW3rBCEqwubVkNOAe5xyoySUv0mPuMXrwVDddreyN_1AA2ZgttImGWYjxsYB9/s1600/IMG_1413+Glass+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05n9ctLKAd2wu-axUBrwa-nR6pheE5xLM3eIZ3oToQehe4Lhu98W9EERo_Pmrq4h-aBMMlppHUBZr_bGNW3rBCEqwubVkNOAe5xyoySUv0mPuMXrwVDddreyN_1AA2ZgttImGWYjxsYB9/s400/IMG_1413+Glass+Man.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet "Dromeas" (which means "runner" in English).<br />
He is made from shards of glass and he stands nearly 30 feet tall.<br />
He was created in 1994 and stands in the middle of Athens.<br />
He is not the typical Greek architecture, but is very unique.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/athenian-agora-national-archaeological.html">Athenian Agora in Athens, Greece</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-49330274672187553132012-07-22T16:05:00.000-05:002012-08-11T13:27:26.614-05:00Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
July 9, 2012<br />
Greece/Turkey Trip<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww7GZM4977z3Nu-cBEFOC_Zkgg4DaS5APwilQwWQ15nMsEB_eNa_EVpW5ge3NFM5UT6E0duhroTykAOzxTufnsbxBqVioeqxZNBk8qR8ScDZTCOFAIMvpkm5QdIycIJfs62XFDSrIDko6/s1600/IMG_1383+Olympic+Stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww7GZM4977z3Nu-cBEFOC_Zkgg4DaS5APwilQwWQ15nMsEB_eNa_EVpW5ge3NFM5UT6E0duhroTykAOzxTufnsbxBqVioeqxZNBk8qR8ScDZTCOFAIMvpkm5QdIycIJfs62XFDSrIDko6/s400/IMG_1383+Olympic+Stadium.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Olympic Stadium</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: white;">We then ventured over to the Panathenaic Stadium, which is located in downtown Athens. The first Olympic competition was held in 1870 and again in 1875. This is the only major stadium in the world built entirely of white marble (from Mount Penteli) and it is one of the oldest stadiums in the world. It originally was built with wooden seating and was re-made in 329 B.C. with the marble; and again was renovated to seat 50,000 people in 140 A.D. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: white;">It was refurbished a second time in 1895 and the first "modern" Olympic games were held here in 1896. At one time it seated 80,000 spectators on 50 rows of marble steps; but it currently holds 45,000 spectators.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">The stadium was built long before dimensions for athletics venues were standardized and its track and layout follow the ancient hairpin-like model. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhs1UZzKNV-hMelGKmOX-05c70WJ38gxPVsz9bjJ9VBIOEwr0AMEjhjUPy3bfpiR_HOTlFnJad2Ax7AXjOp70ztbcZznqHI9jzRj1GWO2gZdXkEHTRkenSD7hhXEdNH4OsG1pih12bOVD/s1600/IMG_1383-b+Olympic+Stadium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhs1UZzKNV-hMelGKmOX-05c70WJ38gxPVsz9bjJ9VBIOEwr0AMEjhjUPy3bfpiR_HOTlFnJad2Ax7AXjOp70ztbcZznqHI9jzRj1GWO2gZdXkEHTRkenSD7hhXEdNH4OsG1pih12bOVD/s400/IMG_1383-b+Olympic+Stadium.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">I found this pic on the internet, but you can see the hairpin curves<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: white;">They were planning for a concert in the stadium, so we were not able to walk in it... not even for just a closer picture and then walk right back out! He could have seen me walk 50 feet, but no way would he allow me to do it... jerk was on a power trip! No one was even there, he just stood guard of the rope! I have no idea what he thought I could do or wanted to do besides take a picture, he could see me the whole time. Oh well...</span></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXE-0bOg9CtdFST4Q6K1ufhhSz-QDBs0SOoY-pwdrm8ujUQkeCYlNOrdXFR-cEqiOE_twevhyphenhyphen8TLmgiLA-LitHOqcg_e96ocZkgdspR8mvfUzyo9NXs_hpr0xCCU498IqL0cQ8Urlzxh9/s1600/IMG_1395+Olympic+Flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXE-0bOg9CtdFST4Q6K1ufhhSz-QDBs0SOoY-pwdrm8ujUQkeCYlNOrdXFR-cEqiOE_twevhyphenhyphen8TLmgiLA-LitHOqcg_e96ocZkgdspR8mvfUzyo9NXs_hpr0xCCU498IqL0cQ8Urlzxh9/s400/IMG_1395+Olympic+Flag.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">A glimpse of the Olympic Flag</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: white;">I have to say that seeing these things in person is amazing. Pictures don't do justice as to the massive size and detail on these ruins.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0LK2SeIgUU_oszYa9WkGPkn-w_ZJhqPEpDTHiHOuHQS_Qe3udGKT5AwfmwwtxDMPi1q9s9YBzjx5_otqvpSIwSkiQxwNNJA9uFwYb9COv5u3cEeFuM84ge2aYQ9nC1heeNEzp8shhYin/s1600/IMG_1405+Look-out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0LK2SeIgUU_oszYa9WkGPkn-w_ZJhqPEpDTHiHOuHQS_Qe3udGKT5AwfmwwtxDMPi1q9s9YBzjx5_otqvpSIwSkiQxwNNJA9uFwYb9COv5u3cEeFuM84ge2aYQ9nC1heeNEzp8shhYin/s400/IMG_1405+Look-out.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Without trying... DT and I seemed to coordinate our clothes on more than one day!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><span style="font-size: 18.399999618530273px;">After leaving the stadium, Lambros, our guide with <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">Private Greece Tours</a> took us to a look-out point. The s</span><span style="font-size: medium;">tadium is at my right elbow; Acropolis at DT's left shoulder and </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Zeus</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> is behind us. It really was a spectacular view of Athens.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #783f04;">Continued... <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/neoclassical-trilogy-in-athens-greece.html">"Neoclassical Trilogy"</a>.</span></span></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-52444219862084735072012-07-21T03:55:00.001-05:002012-08-11T13:16:10.246-05:00The Temple of Zeus in Athens, Greece...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
July 9, 2012<br />
Greece/Turkey Trip<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS4nMrhoH-ehP9WhRMf3L9Z0nqpVUiDNmT_mEHIIVTvH31uuvjU3zXBF2mGBjhbuSWJ9dzapSHixzkRARzCqSsov239OHuiVJZpThPy2fhVGJFNPMAiGOY-bjkHyKB5LefCM_GihBTT5L/s1600/IMG_1366+DT+front+Zeus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS4nMrhoH-ehP9WhRMf3L9Z0nqpVUiDNmT_mEHIIVTvH31uuvjU3zXBF2mGBjhbuSWJ9dzapSHixzkRARzCqSsov239OHuiVJZpThPy2fhVGJFNPMAiGOY-bjkHyKB5LefCM_GihBTT5L/s400/IMG_1366+DT+front+Zeus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis in Front of the Temple of Zeus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkolFyjDmKHh2cqSDk1Xi0fY52Z_MqF8KvRp5JeiHhMhy3wAqR08p92Qy6rtW01GHN1KR17xpHrBCYlLXq1CIyf0SDTjM1Dk_H0SkNzKbM6KVmlgPwx3r83XpZfD3kv1Md3zuGYvmGFnF/s1600/IMG_1380+Zues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkolFyjDmKHh2cqSDk1Xi0fY52Z_MqF8KvRp5JeiHhMhy3wAqR08p92Qy6rtW01GHN1KR17xpHrBCYlLXq1CIyf0SDTjM1Dk_H0SkNzKbM6KVmlgPwx3r83XpZfD3kv1Md3zuGYvmGFnF/s400/IMG_1380+Zues.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the Temple of Zeus</td></tr>
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We continued our tour with <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">Private Greece Tours</a> arriving at the Temple of Zeus. Pictures really don't do any of these ruins justice. Patti, I think of you as we tour through all of this history and the studies I had with you. I so wish you could be with us and hope one day you can see it too.<br />
<br />
The building of this temple began in the 6th Century, but was not finished until later. Here is a link by <a href="http://www.athensguide.com/temple-of-olympian-zeus/index.htm">Matt Barrett</a> with a little bit of info. I like his links because they are usually simple and short. In really short-- the temple was originally built with 104 Corinthian columns of which only 15 remain standing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sAaquMf03tQzdFOyTSjlG3y_6dmYso2X3-8_c0Hjs0lbcOhJdqgyJurHNFoiHAr02oAsO9cN9MR7e1J-ND7THCo-evNihk98DiWSxztVIk_l6iJGi-Y6MTE_EXnI4SvYwbsynYBz0Sn-/s1600/IMG_1376+Zeus+Fallen+Column.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sAaquMf03tQzdFOyTSjlG3y_6dmYso2X3-8_c0Hjs0lbcOhJdqgyJurHNFoiHAr02oAsO9cN9MR7e1J-ND7THCo-evNihk98DiWSxztVIk_l6iJGi-Y6MTE_EXnI4SvYwbsynYBz0Sn-/s400/IMG_1376+Zeus+Fallen+Column.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This column had fallen down in 1852</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl08kWT7a8MGIpPsRbTxwYUyd3V6_g74BcmJh_r2VK8aL75bGRtoBgCBwXz_0fBNBOnwwa-CCQ7RdhxX1sWE4yNr3CiktY83TYRQEWJmGatXmoXv93PXx4B4806AYoUilcSXbDYatjdFA4/s1600/IMG_1360+close+up+of+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl08kWT7a8MGIpPsRbTxwYUyd3V6_g74BcmJh_r2VK8aL75bGRtoBgCBwXz_0fBNBOnwwa-CCQ7RdhxX1sWE4yNr3CiktY83TYRQEWJmGatXmoXv93PXx4B4806AYoUilcSXbDYatjdFA4/s400/IMG_1360+close+up+of+top.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkO73510O48n15nlbw0HtSdgWHlaChSc88W-Uy9hWJON2Bl5ec1eLCqAsXgvb2lOKsWVIIlHwO2tTnu0KuUbHuyA8gBxM1xqii4Sszw5SqIUuqKirhGeo3K7afdBSayVc4vPxzprNrbjm/s1600/IMG_1378+Hadrian's+Arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkO73510O48n15nlbw0HtSdgWHlaChSc88W-Uy9hWJON2Bl5ec1eLCqAsXgvb2lOKsWVIIlHwO2tTnu0KuUbHuyA8gBxM1xqii4Sszw5SqIUuqKirhGeo3K7afdBSayVc4vPxzprNrbjm/s400/IMG_1378+Hadrian's+Arch.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadrian's Arch is located right by the Temple of Zeus.<br />
It was erected in 132 AD as a gate between the ancient city and<br />
the Roman city of Athens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BSVld-zKswBp0GPuXb_WdPhx8WBpMIzVqFCgaaTn0qW4VlBAIGYNn4YSRAO_nbYBOH_YxscyB7bs2ti-FLxHeFdGTtM1pFCnvQ6xLHZOW4y-UPWjfZtvTpdSLrC_hrUuUpO6dad46fDK/s1600/IMG_1369+View+of+Acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BSVld-zKswBp0GPuXb_WdPhx8WBpMIzVqFCgaaTn0qW4VlBAIGYNn4YSRAO_nbYBOH_YxscyB7bs2ti-FLxHeFdGTtM1pFCnvQ6xLHZOW4y-UPWjfZtvTpdSLrC_hrUuUpO6dad46fDK/s400/IMG_1369+View+of+Acropolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Parthenon sitting atop of the Acropolis is close by as well.<br />
You can see the base of the Temple of Zeus<br />
...and the Acropolis is farther than it looks in this picture.<br />
(Again thanks to my nice zoom lens.)</td></tr>
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The history here in Greece is amazing.<br />
<br />
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/olympic-stadium-in-athens-greece.html">Olympic Stadium</a><br />
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-4468429610948125852012-07-20T18:46:00.002-05:002012-08-18T00:29:00.199-05:00The Parthenon in Athens, Greece<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 9, 2012</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span><br />
<br />
We were up at 4:00 a.m. and yes, we made it to the airport and we did board our plane heading back to Athens. The Olympia Airline attendant at check-in told us she could transfer our luggage direct to Istanbul so that we did not have to pick it up or deal with it in Athens... and the overweight fee would cost less too because we were going on for an international flight! Sounded like a great plan, but don't think the possibility of having it lost again didn't pass through my mind! I could just see in going around and around on some carousel in Athens, or in Istanbul ahead of us. But, she promised it would arrive when we arrived in Istanbul. I'll keep my fingers crossed!<br />
<br />
I thought it was strange that they have no direct flights from Crete to Istanbul, but yet we could make a connection through Munich and arrive the next day! What!?! Whatever, we'll just go back through Athens. Getting an early flight did give us the opportunity to see more of Athens. There were many places we did not have time to see while we were there previously.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned in closing the last blog we had a tour scheduled with <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">Private Greece Tours</a> to pick us up at the airport at 10:30 a.m. They adjusted the tour for our time frame. Upon arrival in Athens, we did find our driver, Lambros, waiting for us and we were ready to go! It was nice not having to wait or haul any luggage. Off we went for a tour of sites, which we would have never found ourselves. We might have found one or two of them in the time frame we had... but that was only if no crazy motorcycle driver ran into us again! Athens had crazy busy traffic as usual and I was glad Lambros was driving this time! He quickly gave his opinion of those motorcyclists and pronounced it "dume ass, no brain, organ donors!" We knew we were in for a fun day with Lambros. While none of us had anything against motorcycles in general, I do have issues with those that drive like a maniac and do not follow ANY traffic laws.<br />
<br />
Our first stop was at the Acropolis, and this time it was open; it looked like an ant farm of people running around. You literally could not walk but only followed the flow of people for most of the way and it was slow and hot! It did open up a little on the very top and we hate to site see like this, but the Parthenon is a must-see! I am actually glad it was closed the first time we came by, at least we got pictures without a sea of people in them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IrTNasimp0klrmdySdaZXXjKvX4KirizDZIF4J57HSV8Gj_vRE1r_fQjvYCD-Oa4WyZdQJgkiqe9LZYCl5h20KmGMN4sTOf02BCSNVxgwtBr_mvhzffAVe7VM_dgTVpV3L6MO4k6nGFD/s1600/IMG_1328+Parthenon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IrTNasimp0klrmdySdaZXXjKvX4KirizDZIF4J57HSV8Gj_vRE1r_fQjvYCD-Oa4WyZdQJgkiqe9LZYCl5h20KmGMN4sTOf02BCSNVxgwtBr_mvhzffAVe7VM_dgTVpV3L6MO4k6nGFD/s400/IMG_1328+Parthenon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty cool standing by this huge masterpiece -- <br />
The "Parthenon" sits on the Acropolis!</td></tr>
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With some help from my friend, Nikos, at <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">"Private Greece Tours"</a> I can tell you that the following monument is called "Erechthion" and the girls are called "Karyatides". Nikos explained that they actually are quite famous, because using human figurines as columns is quite rare. All the girls have different hair do's and dresses and this proves that girls were fashion crazy even in ancient times! He explained that one of the "kores" (young girls as columns) is at the British Museum in London; courtesy of Lord Byron.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRQVXqsQFGLWVwsriGwRiUQ8DSzDIE9IMVJ6dAMTbZms1oqiP2tLoIxZw6_LIWCIbDKh7XMwBq37-LD2JolsO-uHtbTFu6MwdJkn9InBq0X5XfZ_aiuxaIlauO46d3H96y8MnRL3FL0zU/s1600/IMG_1341+other+on+Acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRQVXqsQFGLWVwsriGwRiUQ8DSzDIE9IMVJ6dAMTbZms1oqiP2tLoIxZw6_LIWCIbDKh7XMwBq37-LD2JolsO-uHtbTFu6MwdJkn9InBq0X5XfZ_aiuxaIlauO46d3H96y8MnRL3FL0zU/s400/IMG_1341+other+on+Acropolis.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This monument is called "Erechthion"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC6u3iNcVKY4byWgVZEGk5Y99aIwEEETm8BRlc4vqChCcQITHPIzCuD0RHPE1R83jC2ILz5RIGTaZyijLgafpeGwPB9T79jnuICOym8DOmiZxPhdx-Ntc1iRV-LvLCNG4ZX2DDxVcOfbq/s1600/IMG_1346+other+Acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC6u3iNcVKY4byWgVZEGk5Y99aIwEEETm8BRlc4vqChCcQITHPIzCuD0RHPE1R83jC2ILz5RIGTaZyijLgafpeGwPB9T79jnuICOym8DOmiZxPhdx-Ntc1iRV-LvLCNG4ZX2DDxVcOfbq/s400/IMG_1346+other+Acropolis.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a close up of two of the girl columns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPl3uDJBobcEFtAvgS0_-Ml8ytBi_447Gf2aPnNnA35TKE6M_i78uONaKa_MyxWTjFnhqoY9ksPJdfIy_w_65Q81UZZW_k6nhoJoXnD_Qge1Cvtx_3Lb7HSnFNOtZbrN_n24s02CrV7LO/s1600/IMG_1306+Amphitheater+on+the+Acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPl3uDJBobcEFtAvgS0_-Ml8ytBi_447Gf2aPnNnA35TKE6M_i78uONaKa_MyxWTjFnhqoY9ksPJdfIy_w_65Q81UZZW_k6nhoJoXnD_Qge1Cvtx_3Lb7HSnFNOtZbrN_n24s02CrV7LO/s400/IMG_1306+Amphitheater+on+the+Acropolis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herodion Amphitheater on the Acropolis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z3xrr-WzjajzLUdpbtx-MYoDdig0pxkJXPaDvO0gGBUHccNHL3BtPLAXdvyv0c8KYGoZ66RHh_S0UQWGXvvbk-iy8NstMqEXekfRnndv_wWPDfVzUr1SI43wdolAMMBQ5HZ4uqp-I6xG/s1600/IMG_1349+Columns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z3xrr-WzjajzLUdpbtx-MYoDdig0pxkJXPaDvO0gGBUHccNHL3BtPLAXdvyv0c8KYGoZ66RHh_S0UQWGXvvbk-iy8NstMqEXekfRnndv_wWPDfVzUr1SI43wdolAMMBQ5HZ4uqp-I6xG/s400/IMG_1349+Columns.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some columns were made in one solid piece of marble,<br />
and some were made in sections like these.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5N6pWxkUgJFbcPxFsAT4ORbod5_6Mbp9Bwk59EZn0dF37tTtu1w1uLixtLI4RHPpvRuKUIDS6-UQxhudc48AnC7WOupBNbHHjnairjayTc0fGrv9m6AE-LEQ9YwZm8DXxiJjJHhIEsX8/s1600/IMG_1351+column.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5N6pWxkUgJFbcPxFsAT4ORbod5_6Mbp9Bwk59EZn0dF37tTtu1w1uLixtLI4RHPpvRuKUIDS6-UQxhudc48AnC7WOupBNbHHjnairjayTc0fGrv9m6AE-LEQ9YwZm8DXxiJjJHhIEsX8/s400/IMG_1351+column.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGutgGfMsqv0N-akd3_NJ_NEd9KG0ItppEbZ0tqiYGQZF5P_blJqMHv-_VJvpOsyCfLb6KhLGPFPvxUXQ7l4z1NQUDRc-qlTISPMs6ZPqzUu2VVup35MVdyPjxbTWd3J0mHFgjKE1O1My/s1600/IMG_1302+View+from+the+Acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGutgGfMsqv0N-akd3_NJ_NEd9KG0ItppEbZ0tqiYGQZF5P_blJqMHv-_VJvpOsyCfLb6KhLGPFPvxUXQ7l4z1NQUDRc-qlTISPMs6ZPqzUu2VVup35MVdyPjxbTWd3J0mHFgjKE1O1My/s400/IMG_1302+View+from+the+Acropolis.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We could see the "Monument of Philoppapos"<br />
while we were standing on the Acropolis.<br />
And while it is not part of the Acropolis, but rather<br />
a fair distance away, thanks to my zoom lens<br />
we had a nice view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Continued... <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-temple-of-zeus-in-athens-greece.html">The Temple of Zeus</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-58441666779067414272012-07-19T19:25:00.001-05:002012-07-20T18:48:08.304-05:00Petras' Souvlaki Pitas...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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July 7, 2012<br />
Turkey/Greece Trip<br />
<br />
Florian, our hiking guide, told us it was a nice drive up the beach to Preveli, so today we took off and headed up the Mediterranean coast. He told us our first stop should be at "Petras", because they make the best pitas around. So going against all health department advice, we stopped at Petras and ordered a couple pitas to go. We figured, Florian would not lead us astray and that the pitas would be good for lunch somewhere along the way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OFgkB4pvO01BEn6RZUpvrJbMnCosrD0nq-gxCihUcKPE8j_92sga1LcCCE3hh-LL6QRp4K0pzMHSZIGIqE6Jb2aRt8Vj1hPogmxpAPm3jn8XikwfRn2ISRNH5SjApY5UDKw77POreKAE/s1600/IMG_1092+Pita+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OFgkB4pvO01BEn6RZUpvrJbMnCosrD0nq-gxCihUcKPE8j_92sga1LcCCE3hh-LL6QRp4K0pzMHSZIGIqE6Jb2aRt8Vj1hPogmxpAPm3jn8XikwfRn2ISRNH5SjApY5UDKw77POreKAE/s400/IMG_1092+Pita+sign.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petras had a little roadside cantina </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWY4mDWd4qCv4tpc8SWp4SpxDTG-9uLrAC9qTrQkBwUiMEqeR-s0nZ1_qR-cDOfBFXUxXmBoqwuBbsonIjordt7wHWXK3Cd3cqvYjdOXXXUvEn8Ejes5iTjBlWADG8mvmAHUjKoEhJptL/s1600/IMG_1136+Petras%2527+Kantina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWY4mDWd4qCv4tpc8SWp4SpxDTG-9uLrAC9qTrQkBwUiMEqeR-s0nZ1_qR-cDOfBFXUxXmBoqwuBbsonIjordt7wHWXK3Cd3cqvYjdOXXXUvEn8Ejes5iTjBlWADG8mvmAHUjKoEhJptL/s400/IMG_1136+Petras%2527+Kantina.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looked like a traveling kitchen</td></tr>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqIkKxfELsqZjeJ1dOEBfJBbG_mv1q9sNED3WClOkMWwQV_IF8KJm9EBDbazz1UHSZedXEn_I0HqBpiBV7aIPSBe0GdFka1cJvaeSqAZmyEIqbjiltvXY6qMxNFjC5UnwBL-J1NpJ7hb2/s1600/IMG_1082+Starting+Charcoal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqIkKxfELsqZjeJ1dOEBfJBbG_mv1q9sNED3WClOkMWwQV_IF8KJm9EBDbazz1UHSZedXEn_I0HqBpiBV7aIPSBe0GdFka1cJvaeSqAZmyEIqbjiltvXY6qMxNFjC5UnwBL-J1NpJ7hb2/s400/IMG_1082+Starting+Charcoal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got there mid-morning, so they did not even have the fire started yet.<br />
But, it didn't take her long to have some wood coals ready.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnxtq-e9SXUvhAF82A7c4zkE-aRpFoWwZ1idewdHM7bsc66lJOZ4REkx6__XtvrZUaJwR0m82LQ4r75S9FTcFdK94IzghNLA0eHx_eX4F1qSqSJNPc4zCaNjGz9ThMpmyalNzztmmqBu8/s1600/IMG_1094+Pitas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnxtq-e9SXUvhAF82A7c4zkE-aRpFoWwZ1idewdHM7bsc66lJOZ4REkx6__XtvrZUaJwR0m82LQ4r75S9FTcFdK94IzghNLA0eHx_eX4F1qSqSJNPc4zCaNjGz9ThMpmyalNzztmmqBu8/s400/IMG_1094+Pitas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She went right to work cutting up the chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFny4VTwMJUMpKf3g8CwkNdfvw8KM5vFkG1AjqvXqkAchYi3OAVO1cGCfHt1fA6QPd9Bx41ottR51guC-uz6mWS3A4XZupiSh06M6MU8p_gw2nFP4IExh5oKnNkPuxhLBRmAepAAR4gYBw/s1600/IMG_1095+Pitas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFny4VTwMJUMpKf3g8CwkNdfvw8KM5vFkG1AjqvXqkAchYi3OAVO1cGCfHt1fA6QPd9Bx41ottR51guC-uz6mWS3A4XZupiSh06M6MU8p_gw2nFP4IExh5oKnNkPuxhLBRmAepAAR4gYBw/s400/IMG_1095+Pitas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and had two kabobs of chicken ready in no time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Hf0QcZC8CjXX5GT0qwH30Zj4XOs6BbLlfYyqSiZNac79PsiU3ZQQHT_g5YTfrDcQpxaXyHw5i6KD0LCPf0h6Vf4PcOR3rgFS4YXD68p6cqwVoaQbI8uU_A54BnJKJ0Q7gwd6Bz_UMRz/s1600/IMG_1085+DT+in+chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Hf0QcZC8CjXX5GT0qwH30Zj4XOs6BbLlfYyqSiZNac79PsiU3ZQQHT_g5YTfrDcQpxaXyHw5i6KD0LCPf0h6Vf4PcOR3rgFS4YXD68p6cqwVoaQbI8uU_A54BnJKJ0Q7gwd6Bz_UMRz/s400/IMG_1085+DT+in+chairs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We waited in the dining room along the roadside under the shade trees<br />
while she grilled the chicken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV_r0V4UDAw3KuQjWDJQlk3Mwcnjx808u1MHPFAZNLBfKXSV_CB-5n5zlGeNKOqRiykxONIi8NlaMpAeH8uAlxPOiBHYvoBkGfIijTOxioxs0XNI21EH4nmfzFHoXFjI41uTDibfwBExV/s1600/IMG_1102++Cherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV_r0V4UDAw3KuQjWDJQlk3Mwcnjx808u1MHPFAZNLBfKXSV_CB-5n5zlGeNKOqRiykxONIi8NlaMpAeH8uAlxPOiBHYvoBkGfIijTOxioxs0XNI21EH4nmfzFHoXFjI41uTDibfwBExV/s400/IMG_1102++Cherries.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She gave us a plate of cherries and some water... <br />
and yes, we did eat those yummy cherries!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CncCYxa08UifVo_V1sCXz2VPa-gqZ6OLyBUvcWw7ThkuZxs7OeXlhESnbS1mpD4BhjOWUGhTqJrMlK7ttdpnwMHtp1Ixo55w-YnqbgTnZ4YjX16r8G9JnqodCh8r2AU6EvUDjJrgkG2s/s1600/IMG_1108+Pitas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CncCYxa08UifVo_V1sCXz2VPa-gqZ6OLyBUvcWw7ThkuZxs7OeXlhESnbS1mpD4BhjOWUGhTqJrMlK7ttdpnwMHtp1Ixo55w-YnqbgTnZ4YjX16r8G9JnqodCh8r2AU6EvUDjJrgkG2s/s400/IMG_1108+Pitas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pitas were ready and we were on our way.<br />
I write this several days later, yes, we are still well and alive;<br />
and the pitas were great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Heading on our way to Preveli </span><span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">we drove up and down winding through the mountains on narrow roads. Some of them being dirt roads...</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyd8m09SXZXG5HySH2QYD92ReInh_vT-I089CVYHOSZfnrz1h8Y2yM3Gnw8Pr2GYgCUH5aOHczHqGJKh_GEUwUzehfp-jP_0rt5ECRNU4NN1gl1kuNLbUG3RV8zeC8fHTe1XFwv_7khAU/s1600/IMG_1114+dirt+roads+through+the+mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyd8m09SXZXG5HySH2QYD92ReInh_vT-I089CVYHOSZfnrz1h8Y2yM3Gnw8Pr2GYgCUH5aOHczHqGJKh_GEUwUzehfp-jP_0rt5ECRNU4NN1gl1kuNLbUG3RV8zeC8fHTe1XFwv_7khAU/s400/IMG_1114+dirt+roads+through+the+mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the switch backs and it was like this most of the way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">I kept thinking we had to be on the wrong road, but our GPS was directing us and the arrow was following right along the road with us. Finally it was connecting back to the main road... or at least we could see the main road below and we hoped we were getting on it!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRhHrmgyzwNvm-hn9FnOjpD-EYI3-do-O8wlDjAAja7WBOkaRY0oCWlgXzyTEF3nEHYsmM0ny65b_LiSIPv9mrHrCJQQ6ezwmzQVgUFIPxuqzCUQvBKtsEoMVFrjeWIXgbvopdm5vgr5q/s1600/IMG_1125+Holy+Monestary+of+Preveli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRhHrmgyzwNvm-hn9FnOjpD-EYI3-do-O8wlDjAAja7WBOkaRY0oCWlgXzyTEF3nEHYsmM0ny65b_LiSIPv9mrHrCJQQ6ezwmzQVgUFIPxuqzCUQvBKtsEoMVFrjeWIXgbvopdm5vgr5q/s400/IMG_1125+Holy+Monestary+of+Preveli.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a view of the "Holy Monastery of Preveli"<br />
You can see the dirt road in the bottom left corner of this picture<br />
and we could see the pavement below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Finally, we got to the pavement and arrived at "The Holy Monastery of Preveli" We stopped for a quick tour. This monastery, as most all other monasteries, did not allow pictures inside, but we could take a few outside and of the grounds.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17mUw4ovEzzGiOgTII3DfEzDd0BIrQgJ3yiUgCMcmwbOupAlFkt51WusR4NKNMGXQxpQXdsP2CO_2te04-PNbJ2wHH8_UwTDhCcin3StXvUTVZVG9H1_3cTRGNTfx0ZaRU3aJaD0j0K_f/s1600/IMG_1148+Monastery+of+Preveli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17mUw4ovEzzGiOgTII3DfEzDd0BIrQgJ3yiUgCMcmwbOupAlFkt51WusR4NKNMGXQxpQXdsP2CO_2te04-PNbJ2wHH8_UwTDhCcin3StXvUTVZVG9H1_3cTRGNTfx0ZaRU3aJaD0j0K_f/s400/IMG_1148+Monastery+of+Preveli.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The monastery was built in 1941.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">We continued and made our way though Preveli... this picture gives you an idea of the narrow streets through the villages along our route.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkBtHNsf8Fga0tdmk5QWa-VVcSFteLEb2ScbQNF6EUn0iIHI_4F7SJ31A0g-QJOTms8ZKKHIM3Q6UNWRq9MIk_emDMijmaGuwpl7r7AZ_orxj4VzRDp_JHVKgaAI6cKaO3D3mNJYZRs5h/s1600/IMG_1116+Preveli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkBtHNsf8Fga0tdmk5QWa-VVcSFteLEb2ScbQNF6EUn0iIHI_4F7SJ31A0g-QJOTms8ZKKHIM3Q6UNWRq9MIk_emDMijmaGuwpl7r7AZ_orxj4VzRDp_JHVKgaAI6cKaO3D3mNJYZRs5h/s400/IMG_1116+Preveli.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was not fun meeting on-coming traffic, <br />
because they weren't necessarily driving slow like us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We found several sites of ruins along the scenic route:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y1iKgF0mhC0RPrcbyNsDv70gJqqAHgw3MLwudLZVy4HZoyHE49Kd6PH0yoPBMRJcccbPp7sL1FvhaFyf5MGDetchyphenhyphennlL8snyLCe4WWu8MPOMfyTlfs6S-g9PV2_Arwl4Z5m52FjwgsWZ/s1600/IMG_1169+Kato+Moni+Preveli+Ruins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y1iKgF0mhC0RPrcbyNsDv70gJqqAHgw3MLwudLZVy4HZoyHE49Kd6PH0yoPBMRJcccbPp7sL1FvhaFyf5MGDetchyphenhyphennlL8snyLCe4WWu8MPOMfyTlfs6S-g9PV2_Arwl4Z5m52FjwgsWZ/s400/IMG_1169+Kato+Moni+Preveli+Ruins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is Kato Mono Preveli Ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9v3YK0wnlqFNqC5tXRpUSPFYiqLzzqsgZ3MhIy4kxIyG0PMlvtE0eIKZQMBEXr3hZWxIZQBEDFjTQtlGBI5ZNmJ47v2xWoVTTyyVzbNgVuyG5FldtaSusNxfeh0UE0lLz8bVmzfueK-P/s1600/IMG_1194+Sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9v3YK0wnlqFNqC5tXRpUSPFYiqLzzqsgZ3MhIy4kxIyG0PMlvtE0eIKZQMBEXr3hZWxIZQBEDFjTQtlGBI5ZNmJ47v2xWoVTTyyVzbNgVuyG5FldtaSusNxfeh0UE0lLz8bVmzfueK-P/s400/IMG_1194+Sheep.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We drove through villages, passed many tavernas, and several herds of sheep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2b_F6rjHxMgPkchmdHMI27TJa7T9m1Ejt0Xp5EulPVeytWBv5NfDkaWNitopXJzb4ScFO9cDDx1H2cvTnRrBKmRu0Hdc-TNH2SQKI3aV_kmpPQ0bqz7J-Pnx_AeuxVIaDI3N8M2U076E/s1600/IMG_1206+Old+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2b_F6rjHxMgPkchmdHMI27TJa7T9m1Ejt0Xp5EulPVeytWBv5NfDkaWNitopXJzb4ScFO9cDDx1H2cvTnRrBKmRu0Hdc-TNH2SQKI3aV_kmpPQ0bqz7J-Pnx_AeuxVIaDI3N8M2U076E/s400/IMG_1206+Old+Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We arrived to the old bridge that Florian had told us about,<br />
so we knew we were getting close to Palm Beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">Following the road towards the beach, we then found a pathway leading to it.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50ODwXtzuSuzbVQEmqiH8cbze-vjXY94ZLba6foI8442e8joXwx08fKXVi-PcM0HVKlWn6x2N-QdmGp_wh4Jg21WMXciStgxhN4TcmkgetqhRgykIHtGglhYpWJgDoAKf9ZcVAiB6v2xG/s1600/IMG_1222+hike+to+palm+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50ODwXtzuSuzbVQEmqiH8cbze-vjXY94ZLba6foI8442e8joXwx08fKXVi-PcM0HVKlWn6x2N-QdmGp_wh4Jg21WMXciStgxhN4TcmkgetqhRgykIHtGglhYpWJgDoAKf9ZcVAiB6v2xG/s400/IMG_1222+hike+to+palm+beach.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the pathway was steps <br />
and some of it was dirt trail and rocks...<br />
and yes, we hiked all the way over this mountain!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We had to hike up the mountain and then back down to the beach... it was a pretty big hike; but well worth it! </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCFOT6uyJ2-arhyphenhyphenbjqBuutIoxiJMZAaFVJcDw12P09PJtZmnzcnBhhDgy3OKaar9FRZsU9Ojhnyg-2vhVWHOPd_mLUpp1gwsso5G7pWoVwEKHPAM5xcqESdc-38MOjNghawtpqoSfGVUJ/s1600/IMG_1235+view+beach+from+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCFOT6uyJ2-arhyphenhyphenbjqBuutIoxiJMZAaFVJcDw12P09PJtZmnzcnBhhDgy3OKaar9FRZsU9Ojhnyg-2vhVWHOPd_mLUpp1gwsso5G7pWoVwEKHPAM5xcqESdc-38MOjNghawtpqoSfGVUJ/s400/IMG_1235+view+beach+from+top.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've made it over the top here and actually headed down to the beach area.<br />
This beach had huge rocks which created little coves of privacy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoimAEqLqOsqtxhXjSD2zzTRmLzq-onJd00yzGEK0I2P2vtE4OCsMu-qAhQXPqu9qMzHgeyebAmTjKaTpyJ97qX6JngQAK9OSZh-zNFA_CI2DxRYCF2PX_rlzGrbf3H-Bj33_yiE8ANdx/s1600/IMG_1249+Big+Rock+on+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoimAEqLqOsqtxhXjSD2zzTRmLzq-onJd00yzGEK0I2P2vtE4OCsMu-qAhQXPqu9qMzHgeyebAmTjKaTpyJ97qX6JngQAK9OSZh-zNFA_CI2DxRYCF2PX_rlzGrbf3H-Bj33_yiE8ANdx/s400/IMG_1249+Big+Rock+on+Beach.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one rock was interesting standing all by itself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Because there was no easy access, it was less crowded. Some people came in by boat and others hiked in and out. We enjoyed our afternoon here.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Heading back to the resort, Florian told us we could continue up the coast and then we could cut back through to Damnoni where our resort was.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">"Cut Back" are</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"> the key words here... Oh my gosh, I thought the last roads were cattle trails... these were barely trails, but yet the GPS knew them! One time it said to turn left, and I told DT "no way!" We continued on the trail we were on making our way into a little village where we asked for directions. Keeping in mind that most of the people in these little villages don't speak English.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Somehow we communicated and this lady motioned for us to follow her when we said the word "Damnoni". We followed her through the village and then she pointed out into what looked like nowhere! The road was barely there, I'm sure no one had driven on it in years! It was unreal!!! But again, our GPS was following right along pointing forward as we drove.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We did navigate along at what seemed like two miles an hour and many times driving along the mountain's edge with sheer cliffs; but, somehow we made it back to a blacktop road where we found a man moving his herd of sheep...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8iZVxnsDXUAUjxLy6NBcLPLWwTYes5E6H2fzFCt1y1_aAEkO2pEtv_6_jiOLbP-wSVpAG_uhN3Ihrjj8rIT8p7HUbLi3nGR7MXcA5BXIw7J_ZyxGYGVrZkZKXWQMsvahoVQDgA34oUmC/s1600/IMG_1258+sheep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8iZVxnsDXUAUjxLy6NBcLPLWwTYes5E6H2fzFCt1y1_aAEkO2pEtv_6_jiOLbP-wSVpAG_uhN3Ihrjj8rIT8p7HUbLi3nGR7MXcA5BXIw7J_ZyxGYGVrZkZKXWQMsvahoVQDgA34oUmC/s400/IMG_1258+sheep.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...even they didn't use the path we just drove on!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
jj</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIvWGnvPCzNRw2rHgW770mr6cLz_Wenk-eaxPa94vQPnnsL0Ch4N9kXKyccG5aWM04KQ8eHhCwd5WEJJ5Tc8n1HvBavh7um7zJlpkeqd103xrT0q60eAzqgGie_37DHVqqHmS0DZXmjrS/s1600/IMG_1261+Sheep%253Abikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIvWGnvPCzNRw2rHgW770mr6cLz_Wenk-eaxPa94vQPnnsL0Ch4N9kXKyccG5aWM04KQ8eHhCwd5WEJJ5Tc8n1HvBavh7um7zJlpkeqd103xrT0q60eAzqgGie_37DHVqqHmS0DZXmjrS/s400/IMG_1261+Sheep%253Abikes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was interesting to see the cars, bikes, and 4-wheelers all behind the sheep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We managed to find our way back to the resort and today was eventful to say the least!</span><br />
<br />
July 8, 2012...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQr6tHEYpszOEqjtwNLTsASPi2VA3iqXJGew9O-U5KnpwJJEznA0PAbKSix0Cwlrqck-zMr0ulroI8hlM5OnhKHimEVdMDMH0WmX33HWc86H5Rj0q-uzXR8mtxl7c_1973Rpju-rz1JuK/s1600/IMG_0775+Hapimag+from+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQr6tHEYpszOEqjtwNLTsASPi2VA3iqXJGew9O-U5KnpwJJEznA0PAbKSix0Cwlrqck-zMr0ulroI8hlM5OnhKHimEVdMDMH0WmX33HWc86H5Rj0q-uzXR8mtxl7c_1973Rpju-rz1JuK/s400/IMG_0775+Hapimag+from+Beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... was our last day on the beach at Hapimag...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATbICS7Oy999U1Y2_jDyOYkMznCj_peys3zg5T4UzM409TyfvSAn1Fz1pqlpbdrculcXpWomnNwDpMyM3seVWcI0EGwSRtUuABS0O4JRHyXRLc3zwCHf8josI0klyU08xIDqF7j7a8F2F/s1600/IMG_1297+DT+close+door+to+Crete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATbICS7Oy999U1Y2_jDyOYkMznCj_peys3zg5T4UzM409TyfvSAn1Fz1pqlpbdrculcXpWomnNwDpMyM3seVWcI0EGwSRtUuABS0O4JRHyXRLc3zwCHf8josI0klyU08xIDqF7j7a8F2F/s400/IMG_1297+DT+close+door+to+Crete.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 9, 2012<br />
We closed the door at Hapimag Damnoni Resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We will fly from the island of Crete back to Athens, Greece on July 9, 2012 to catch a flight to Istanbul, Turkey.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We booked our flight so that we would have almost all day in Athens before flying to Istanbul. That gave us an opportunity to book a tour with <a href="http://www.privategreecetours.com/">Private Greece Tours</a>. Nikos Lucas is the owner and he scheduled for his driver to pick us up at the Athen's airport at 10:30 a.m., take us on private tour, and then take us back to the airport by 5:30 p.m....hmmm, </span><span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">guess we'll see if we make this flight!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">There was so much we did not get to see in Athens, this will give us the opportunity to do that!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-parthenon-in-athens-greece.html">The Parthenon in Athens, Greece</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-72569573636900885952012-07-19T08:43:00.001-05:002012-07-19T19:28:49.941-05:00Children on the Beach...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 6, 2012</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turkey/Greece Trip</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the waterfall hike, we spent some time on the beach… you remember I mentioned that a
stream from the mountains emptied into the Mediterranean Sea; this is where
many of the children always seemed to play. Today, a group of kids decided to dam up the stream:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aFOTvFAsj-UMwK9CDkQyLFI9QZKNgijUsOQg4Wy7hat5WS1MQ8IUVu1QsRopod9tbEmIKjFAvnATQew9PyuE_S6HFpe_bZSRfWoCn3J4Kt3ZfQOl4qIIRxWiCa-hdq4tksmDxGYRJsTG/s1600/IMG_0772+Sand+Dam+by+Children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aFOTvFAsj-UMwK9CDkQyLFI9QZKNgijUsOQg4Wy7hat5WS1MQ8IUVu1QsRopod9tbEmIKjFAvnATQew9PyuE_S6HFpe_bZSRfWoCn3J4Kt3ZfQOl4qIIRxWiCa-hdq4tksmDxGYRJsTG/s400/IMG_0772+Sand+Dam+by+Children.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little boy was stealing a rock from the sand dam they had made first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QvXp2pvJWq7M-Hj_o6D5J66sXv3bAWlIy95KTkZr2fp2chrNYMnbPGgy-NwrZ_Da4r_-WWqLYFeaN4ukfXlL4jlHbo29o6rUiqm-0vZcT-FxDqlkOTPQoVPh-Ov5AcQysw7ShxFpWm9S/s1600/IMG_0773+boy+w:rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QvXp2pvJWq7M-Hj_o6D5J66sXv3bAWlIy95KTkZr2fp2chrNYMnbPGgy-NwrZ_Da4r_-WWqLYFeaN4ukfXlL4jlHbo29o6rUiqm-0vZcT-FxDqlkOTPQoVPh-Ov5AcQysw7ShxFpWm9S/s400/IMG_0773+boy+w:rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was straining with every muscle he had to carry it... <br />
you can see the veins in his neck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNd2wYxweY6s4rPpbZYUoBfi-9Q2fFpm1mk38QOKHzNq4GDQQTWA3shJO49378YzwB13xFrC6VtS2SsYJvE2AELyvnpB1x0-dH2r0F-oTeiwiojUoC4T75qYvgFRu5sTXeL2NtxdiBenV/s1600/IMG_0758+Rock+Dam+by+Children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNd2wYxweY6s4rPpbZYUoBfi-9Q2fFpm1mk38QOKHzNq4GDQQTWA3shJO49378YzwB13xFrC6VtS2SsYJvE2AELyvnpB1x0-dH2r0F-oTeiwiojUoC4T75qYvgFRu5sTXeL2NtxdiBenV/s400/IMG_0758+Rock+Dam+by+Children.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He needed it for this rock dam they were building in another area<br />
where the water was still passing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgH9aFt-FsnBw9P5X1xgQ0Wt5ken5HqUMHRSCCmv-K2z-okxfDmgv4gdqdfdLIjEfHb8WHeYTAZQhB6mzt37rl5Q0P7-oPVMXf2PyL2gX_XYDbxs6pELal_41h-7_-kZ8_o31s_gU4Hy-/s1600/IMG_0762+Girl+gather+rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgH9aFt-FsnBw9P5X1xgQ0Wt5ken5HqUMHRSCCmv-K2z-okxfDmgv4gdqdfdLIjEfHb8WHeYTAZQhB6mzt37rl5Q0P7-oPVMXf2PyL2gX_XYDbxs6pELal_41h-7_-kZ8_o31s_gU4Hy-/s400/IMG_0762+Girl+gather+rocks.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had a system... this little girl dove for the rocks in the sea and would<br />
bring them to the shore. She had a whole lap full; I have no idea how she<br />
held on to them while diving and then manage to get them to the shore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqNNSeuQXTasA2233p_WSsp_cWf7rZmnoVvb_c-YyRXLSEx9rwdYpgOYWa5wlrNzVZ3PVo3RkJJE08mf84AoErn6SnVMwYZSWmRoOtAVAQVDUCwT1TEQn5SJ8GETpoLHN7YvnmeefWxKq/s1600/IMG_0764+Brother+to+the+Rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqNNSeuQXTasA2233p_WSsp_cWf7rZmnoVvb_c-YyRXLSEx9rwdYpgOYWa5wlrNzVZ3PVo3RkJJE08mf84AoErn6SnVMwYZSWmRoOtAVAQVDUCwT1TEQn5SJ8GETpoLHN7YvnmeefWxKq/s400/IMG_0764+Brother+to+the+Rescue.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her little brother and friend came to the rescue to help carry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">They were doing a really good job because the water was
pooling and they would need keep needing more rocks!
Again, as you can see, it really doesn’t take much to entertain us! The kids were so cute and certainly did
not want to leave when the parents called for them 'time to go'!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">Continued... <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/petras-souvlaki-pitas.html">Petras' Souvlaki Pitas</a></span></span></div>
</div>
Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-34872192048512814082012-07-18T04:50:00.001-05:002012-07-19T08:51:31.285-05:00Waterfall Hike Through Kotsifou Gorge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 6, 2012</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyff1wqLOFaZr7HbzpNb2GtuAj9RdJqC8og5LQLCeP_l15jDlIazsGbDHPcQnxUx-iYG6pJs85YS4b3qraaI6NUDgl3v72A-WAjQYDBpoEh_iTCMjPd_163E_-Ab2OkoJTeX7wNPbv-Nah/s1600/IMG_0956+Deb+Waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyff1wqLOFaZr7HbzpNb2GtuAj9RdJqC8og5LQLCeP_l15jDlIazsGbDHPcQnxUx-iYG6pJs85YS4b3qraaI6NUDgl3v72A-WAjQYDBpoEh_iTCMjPd_163E_-Ab2OkoJTeX7wNPbv-Nah/s400/IMG_0956+Deb+Waterfall.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall Hike through Kotsifou Gorge</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">We enjoyed yesterday’s hike so much that we decided to take
on a 6-hr hike through the river and waterfalls in the Kotsifou Gorge
today. The hike was awesome; we
both loved it! It was not easy and
there were times I thought, “We are climbing up there …or down there?!?” But, I did it! Certainly there were times that one
person would assist the next in line as we ascended up or down through the
rocks and waterfalls, but everyone worked together! We really enjoyed visiting with this one guy; again, he was
from Germany. He and his family
had hiked with us yesterday as well and him and his son were hiking again today
with us. We had visited quite a
bit both days; but I did not get his name or address; wish I had, who knows he
might have lived only 25 km from the other two families we met on the first
hike!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">Anyway, our hike started at 9:00 a.m. from the Hapimag
Resort in Damnoni (where we were staying); again with Florian as our guide. We shuttled to the village of Plakias
where we were to enter into the Kotsifou Gorge. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">As we began our hike heading outside the village we came across this
library. I can’t remember exactly what he said about it; but it was something to the effect that it was
the largest, oldest or only library in the area... probably all three. It is run by a retired British man living in Plakias. The books numbered in the thousands and all all donations. Many books are in English and German.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdoV6nIheqi5DK0Z59sxd7FlQ1oAp6aTc4xUmBzH3OJ0x0FT8-GgdB-wGkjTkWtAjKhL3c94T4tZU92tcxFM2KgWyhAPZnNSsUXFxdO4_8ujYFnsp6GYYBWfoI7DNCdon_0zImpF8bBvz/s1600/IMG_0918+Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdoV6nIheqi5DK0Z59sxd7FlQ1oAp6aTc4xUmBzH3OJ0x0FT8-GgdB-wGkjTkWtAjKhL3c94T4tZU92tcxFM2KgWyhAPZnNSsUXFxdO4_8ujYFnsp6GYYBWfoI7DNCdon_0zImpF8bBvz/s400/IMG_0918+Library.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the gentleman that founded and runs the library.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgttMTzhsvvE-IWcj3obBW8EWHFCB6qZhKbzRb5JE8o16mluUZCbMOhyGfukEBi1kWfb9DiJw_0lGv1p4Rc-nxoHqp7aRRo3L1JB4cCiNngLJU1E0w5OZ0NNUKulR-hnYtGx3IpfSrsEH3/s1600/IMG_0919+Libray+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgttMTzhsvvE-IWcj3obBW8EWHFCB6qZhKbzRb5JE8o16mluUZCbMOhyGfukEBi1kWfb9DiJw_0lGv1p4Rc-nxoHqp7aRRo3L1JB4cCiNngLJU1E0w5OZ0NNUKulR-hnYtGx3IpfSrsEH3/s400/IMG_0919+Libray+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a peek inside. He was very nice and proud of his accomplishment.<br />
It was a great library to be located in such a small village!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">We continued our decent down the wall of the gorge and our
next goal was to reach an old aqua duct. The pathway led us to an idyllic site where an old water mill from the 16<sup>th</sup> century had been in operation.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5aJYO_zZBN_rb1U8XfxldmVRUwyWgexmeK60XNKYXwDbW3Q82YNMFzdxOX0gydVL_pvDgZ-92hAXNbjVoHoGA8-WfxQ21AhlRHxdoTlRPXPmuPjJX5PCUHJnIy_ye6Kw6vFSsbMR2nPA/s1600/IMG_1006+Church:Aqua+Duct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5aJYO_zZBN_rb1U8XfxldmVRUwyWgexmeK60XNKYXwDbW3Q82YNMFzdxOX0gydVL_pvDgZ-92hAXNbjVoHoGA8-WfxQ21AhlRHxdoTlRPXPmuPjJX5PCUHJnIy_ye6Kw6vFSsbMR2nPA/s400/IMG_1006+Church:Aqua+Duct.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see a small white dot<br />
in the bottom of the gorge</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">...that is a small church and it is fairly close to the old aqua duct used for the
water mill in the 16<sup>th</sup> century. So this gives you an idea of the pathway we traversed to get
to the bottom of the gorge… but getting to this point is not the bottom yet! But, you can see in the next picture, we are getting closer.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi1DL533M9G-zYDxHWlTCYLywihBKBC8ZBg63lLdIsEbcIiAuiFU03sNJg64v_-k1Q9LIfvykHV2AiAhChJs5TfoCBwDLDWJ8bTg7udx0MPuPK3KLmcnuD9yoKvdHtKSoEKZJrQEgVR-C/s1600/IMG_1004+Aqua+Duct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggi1DL533M9G-zYDxHWlTCYLywihBKBC8ZBg63lLdIsEbcIiAuiFU03sNJg64v_-k1Q9LIfvykHV2AiAhChJs5TfoCBwDLDWJ8bTg7udx0MPuPK3KLmcnuD9yoKvdHtKSoEKZJrQEgVR-C/s400/IMG_1004+Aqua+Duct.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the aqua duct that powered the the watermill for grinding the grains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy4SwzEzsuz196gbnkrzAax8T0a8S5uvZhblb-Na_1keNEKkSEO08o2JIObvHxi6CLv0MOMzA2UE1RZkMfFDmY0dRtbeIbZ2GDW4FMS6RonSYz4R83ANksv7UZ0_aOuqZmK9vk4EsZlLJ/s1600/IMG_0928+Stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy4SwzEzsuz196gbnkrzAax8T0a8S5uvZhblb-Na_1keNEKkSEO08o2JIObvHxi6CLv0MOMzA2UE1RZkMfFDmY0dRtbeIbZ2GDW4FMS6RonSYz4R83ANksv7UZ0_aOuqZmK9vk4EsZlLJ/s400/IMG_0928+Stream.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also began to see the stream of water,<br />
as we got closer to the old mill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jyxq-Qqo9zCw5inghvsYviHf-Mf8jJV_MlacZYZtLZOs9NtQnI0DcFvvbDVC36E7gBWQVdLD5HT022ueXRZKMQsdcDg6Hi5nZKeXOKJwRx7JQCXAn0iZnlkJkop4ymY2QMc7h1jYq32h/s1600/IMG_0927+Deb+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jyxq-Qqo9zCw5inghvsYviHf-Mf8jJV_MlacZYZtLZOs9NtQnI0DcFvvbDVC36E7gBWQVdLD5HT022ueXRZKMQsdcDg6Hi5nZKeXOKJwRx7JQCXAn0iZnlkJkop4ymY2QMc7h1jYq32h/s400/IMG_0927+Deb+bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We crossed this old bridge<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyWvdYOmwc41q9S6t43qR8p9-ATG95H9iyOnf5wKn1_42I7bDZUCUJOHLPVc35XkhRCvtg5IBS2mMYI-2lImJYyVN0kuYW3AHwLrJCffkcyiQUn8t0OowPmw-_QVgI_kTygP0gK5-cUaL/s1600/IMG_0930+DT+Mill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyWvdYOmwc41q9S6t43qR8p9-ATG95H9iyOnf5wKn1_42I7bDZUCUJOHLPVc35XkhRCvtg5IBS2mMYI-2lImJYyVN0kuYW3AHwLrJCffkcyiQUn8t0OowPmw-_QVgI_kTygP0gK5-cUaL/s400/IMG_0930+DT+Mill.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After crossing the old bridge, we had to hike back up<br />
to get to the aqua duct and old mill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlv2MaguyG4Ii59i7SqXaYbQMmUVQW5QadsJKEgyNflNFO2BgZ_MHUpN3f02kItec1Y1XBLniCzK_73NMUYXNrNHJKxqgU-87yBZxNl8HIRQcKS1Cvn6dMo2d9qKPATnJOPCmrOxxz0-w/s1600/IMG_0933+Mill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlv2MaguyG4Ii59i7SqXaYbQMmUVQW5QadsJKEgyNflNFO2BgZ_MHUpN3f02kItec1Y1XBLniCzK_73NMUYXNrNHJKxqgU-87yBZxNl8HIRQcKS1Cvn6dMo2d9qKPATnJOPCmrOxxz0-w/s400/IMG_0933+Mill.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...getting even closer, we can now actually see<br />
part of the old mill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQx1z58W6bXovslC_rpsTi2STEQwpm7xzH-5GYMlIeCbApTZ9_k9u1Qa2TKEhDP8uAsRuHZOrAtxdxfFBIyyd3pQvJQUFsQadcLfB4SjoarfI0-GD8t-RDZRD2J8UF5UOI6V0a7sOgAhs/s1600/IMG_0937+DT+on+Aqua+Duct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQx1z58W6bXovslC_rpsTi2STEQwpm7xzH-5GYMlIeCbApTZ9_k9u1Qa2TKEhDP8uAsRuHZOrAtxdxfFBIyyd3pQvJQUFsQadcLfB4SjoarfI0-GD8t-RDZRD2J8UF5UOI6V0a7sOgAhs/s400/IMG_0937+DT+on+Aqua+Duct.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing all the way up to stand on the aqua duct</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchtsVLuShC8JaATOnVy17lneIzL8EUe6ZO17qHnGmfGFPcOJ9bE3PUaTdN8vCel0P114JvJ9Mdn_t9BjRbZ2UL_Oef074AE4zD3CXT88126NABVJfcIF3K4uQgnC6g7PEo4qRCQVuF63o/s1600/IMG_0940+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchtsVLuShC8JaATOnVy17lneIzL8EUe6ZO17qHnGmfGFPcOJ9bE3PUaTdN8vCel0P114JvJ9Mdn_t9BjRbZ2UL_Oef074AE4zD3CXT88126NABVJfcIF3K4uQgnC6g7PEo4qRCQVuF63o/s400/IMG_0940+Church.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We then made our way back down to the old church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTp6AqtjR9lhY4FPoyI1uBGt42fFN7KvSrtPo3slbWtNtK1TmSfYGgj7Qsv-MOEtTGPgZEMJbS-q2crdQECLkiWWD51jRej9gGcEWXDO_c8cDMr3B5YEXYXGhQ9pGq6hol1IVm4VgegJe/s1600/IMG_0945+Stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTp6AqtjR9lhY4FPoyI1uBGt42fFN7KvSrtPo3slbWtNtK1TmSfYGgj7Qsv-MOEtTGPgZEMJbS-q2crdQECLkiWWD51jRej9gGcEWXDO_c8cDMr3B5YEXYXGhQ9pGq6hol1IVm4VgegJe/s400/IMG_0945+Stream.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We began our hike through the stream</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAeXWCiee2Gx18n1MLoPcVji5cBulAvNeTz5mj5QRdCcljhItLL-TNLYxzgSDr-msjP4wlPtzjPHSDiLlqqsGuX5oM87cGiA6wcu1yTOgcBYN9_5KTIbvq3H3pz52o5unQJqeTNG07DZ4/s1600/IMG_0951+DT+at+waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAeXWCiee2Gx18n1MLoPcVji5cBulAvNeTz5mj5QRdCcljhItLL-TNLYxzgSDr-msjP4wlPtzjPHSDiLlqqsGuX5oM87cGiA6wcu1yTOgcBYN9_5KTIbvq3H3pz52o5unQJqeTNG07DZ4/s400/IMG_0951+DT+at+waterfall.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We traversed up through the waterfalls, <br />
hiking around some of them, <br />
but only to enter back into the main stream once again </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4bIT9u8_MKpqNYv_QMQXwl0zirJJI2Hjhpx-bYDDaDioVFQ2siMjuj8wcqHHkONGJL7ws-Yk0vVrY6n-BjldfsXMkS3yclzKEVyloixp6TbSdWibQdqlrbP5vbcQM0n8Lv_LIjrvY84N/s1600/IMG_0974+dt+swim+in+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4bIT9u8_MKpqNYv_QMQXwl0zirJJI2Hjhpx-bYDDaDioVFQ2siMjuj8wcqHHkONGJL7ws-Yk0vVrY6n-BjldfsXMkS3yclzKEVyloixp6TbSdWibQdqlrbP5vbcQM0n8Lv_LIjrvY84N/s400/IMG_0974+dt+swim+in+pool.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DT swimming in another pool along the way. Water was a little chilly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">Yes, I did take my good camera with us on this hike; Florian told me the day before it would be okay to take it... just to put it in a plastic bag. We had a gallon size baggie that was air tight in the event we had any falls (Although, I did wish I had my waterproof bag made for this sort of thing... but you can only travel with so much!) The deepest we ever had to wade through the water was maybe just above my waste. The camera was always put away in the backpack unless we stopped and I could sneak a few pics. We needed both hands for climbing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">We basically followed the stream and hiked, climbing up and
down though the waterfalls. We had
the opportunity to stop and swim or cool off in several pools. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo6u5BKDT4GlWxZe_iIb_RUZDVTR7MlmLVZ3gApPmYxee3X1Hk1x7RDCvQc9kncLRbhWAOYYPdYHfAlIDBC5MKB_ry73HVDaJ-STEVqKo3xBhkPl9nbprqQ0NRym1nUm97YzyUqqkKlhi/s1600/IMG_0977+DT+Pool:Waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQo6u5BKDT4GlWxZe_iIb_RUZDVTR7MlmLVZ3gApPmYxee3X1Hk1x7RDCvQc9kncLRbhWAOYYPdYHfAlIDBC5MKB_ry73HVDaJ-STEVqKo3xBhkPl9nbprqQ0NRym1nUm97YzyUqqkKlhi/s400/IMG_0977+DT+Pool:Waterfall.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some parts were more forceful than others</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-UCKL9lCQhtBjUrCMZRImlOyGK0P4IxrV1JNDMxY2iObVKDBR6nB5uDvhF_B1YW98cz0AkBnp9w-63bdsk49XWV9EWkOjH2ffPjEjokrQW9Q7yi92xbhVBlnAa7XWRf_2EAfoT1X-Jmi/s1600/IMG_0987+DT+Waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-UCKL9lCQhtBjUrCMZRImlOyGK0P4IxrV1JNDMxY2iObVKDBR6nB5uDvhF_B1YW98cz0AkBnp9w-63bdsk49XWV9EWkOjH2ffPjEjokrQW9Q7yi92xbhVBlnAa7XWRf_2EAfoT1X-Jmi/s400/IMG_0987+DT+Waterfall.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis and Florian enjoying a massage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2RJ-mwz-srXGnjoCKFDl09E7Qyg7MEYEQ4Tiy-tPsOktGcUDEYkWMSKw-whYAeqkZKampb9un5zKFEPUuI82_hLfTUQvggyuB49ewFp4mB07WD_lxaxwfcE1BubTG09200LRgKOn54nS/s1600/IMG_0995Deb+Waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2RJ-mwz-srXGnjoCKFDl09E7Qyg7MEYEQ4Tiy-tPsOktGcUDEYkWMSKw-whYAeqkZKampb9un5zKFEPUuI82_hLfTUQvggyuB49ewFp4mB07WD_lxaxwfcE1BubTG09200LRgKOn54nS/s400/IMG_0995Deb+Waterfall.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deb - more of the adventurous hike!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">As we exited the gorge we reached a small path leading to
the village of Myrthios. We again
passed many herbs along our path. Here are a few pictures along the way.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3AEX43JKfgM4GpB4x_Pl7BDVdY8RgZVrh_eVSngDIj-CcR-aJ2xxBtmmAswPZ5X4mgBnb3qIfoWk19NsSDYYQwEvxSszLOYuDRxhkHYyxCEMWIcHaWwc3nPteDNXf5R2ifueKGmYZe4l/s1600/IMG_0999+Rosemary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3AEX43JKfgM4GpB4x_Pl7BDVdY8RgZVrh_eVSngDIj-CcR-aJ2xxBtmmAswPZ5X4mgBnb3qIfoWk19NsSDYYQwEvxSszLOYuDRxhkHYyxCEMWIcHaWwc3nPteDNXf5R2ifueKGmYZe4l/s400/IMG_0999+Rosemary.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is rosemary<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-5McNNPRj17LNn2ze2LEVLR3lvdWqCSN4lVrjxkKKbJtIRZgoq6PWGfk7fcpcKQ3rjN-3lMTGckcisd3ikIyikblPTbADfR-jonH5JC6Xf7LJVNiAbWL7xw2VJhj6FFZ9o-He49p_SnK/s1600/IMG_1011+Olive+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-5McNNPRj17LNn2ze2LEVLR3lvdWqCSN4lVrjxkKKbJtIRZgoq6PWGfk7fcpcKQ3rjN-3lMTGckcisd3ikIyikblPTbADfR-jonH5JC6Xf7LJVNiAbWL7xw2VJhj6FFZ9o-He49p_SnK/s400/IMG_1011+Olive+trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New olive trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtp6IyUnUup94fHRXiIQWpOq2Z7ONW3XLHUt1w6n0qNLIqFLKSmum1zByt8WDZRZ15SLQodDD2J5ck8hyphenhyphenvbdZ7XbTEb7u0I5EL9hiih_9A2UhHBQtBIIoLCtTpB_w7rEJqcdFnuxtCPDj/s1600/IMG_1012+Olive+Trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtp6IyUnUup94fHRXiIQWpOq2Z7ONW3XLHUt1w6n0qNLIqFLKSmum1zByt8WDZRZ15SLQodDD2J5ck8hyphenhyphenvbdZ7XbTEb7u0I5EL9hiih_9A2UhHBQtBIIoLCtTpB_w7rEJqcdFnuxtCPDj/s400/IMG_1012+Olive+Trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw many grove of olive trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NeABcbx11B7fZ4fathNdk9CNLK_wD4p3ZSl1Y9okLCaB4yqVUsnJbrtuaHvIxtOb_ZE-UMkSE9fspPDiXsSLkshyZido5kZrCQdEEPacZMcrkdEGA5jVm1JsAppY50Jd3cT5KSKzhMBl/s1600/IMG_1015+Fig+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NeABcbx11B7fZ4fathNdk9CNLK_wD4p3ZSl1Y9okLCaB4yqVUsnJbrtuaHvIxtOb_ZE-UMkSE9fspPDiXsSLkshyZido5kZrCQdEEPacZMcrkdEGA5jVm1JsAppY50Jd3cT5KSKzhMBl/s400/IMG_1015+Fig+trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig Trees... figs to be harvested in August.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv0RWFTfXpGo0aRJH7mebx-M64A1loNk4uI5E1eqxUlejbL3Ls9w-lOvtSohddzcpee88VdzGYfQjFVR2hJ-PaXje5Oalr_irZXR5Z26ELYModFyzQ5CTRRguUww5XjMbJz4aECQu1wWi/s1600/IMG_1009+Great+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihv0RWFTfXpGo0aRJH7mebx-M64A1loNk4uI5E1eqxUlejbL3Ls9w-lOvtSohddzcpee88VdzGYfQjFVR2hJ-PaXje5Oalr_irZXR5Z26ELYModFyzQ5CTRRguUww5XjMbJz4aECQu1wWi/s400/IMG_1009+Great+view.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know my camera doesn't do justice,<br />
but we had gorgeous views along the way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsVmOevjlrHcZYWn6EeHVv9jOT2syQM99MVMdebDnIOtSmDpixPaZY6GjeRxRHqCw005bA-ShNApzfXAnPtdYchUH_Rgt9yA5Fa01MvO7JVQuyGsm41vrrut1mlfTUjq948WC-oZbMRFY/s1600/IMG_1013+View+to+Med+Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsVmOevjlrHcZYWn6EeHVv9jOT2syQM99MVMdebDnIOtSmDpixPaZY6GjeRxRHqCw005bA-ShNApzfXAnPtdYchUH_Rgt9yA5Fa01MvO7JVQuyGsm41vrrut1mlfTUjq948WC-oZbMRFY/s400/IMG_1013+View+to+Med+Sea.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to the Mediterranean Sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We end up reaching a small path leading to the village of Myrthios, where we recovered in one of the taverns for lunch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsOsbWInnxVQm_tBR8WiIeBtO_zii951115uZZ7rccYyBCZYjdgGqi_IAcU26dAIddDNppe5fARqK__ywBH2FdgyTxIOjCPY-AcAHlfWJI_bZ7LjSBXSLk8Ly4hqr2yMZnqv8k_MMbI_S/s1600/IMG_1022+Stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsOsbWInnxVQm_tBR8WiIeBtO_zii951115uZZ7rccYyBCZYjdgGqi_IAcU26dAIddDNppe5fARqK__ywBH2FdgyTxIOjCPY-AcAHlfWJI_bZ7LjSBXSLk8Ly4hqr2yMZnqv8k_MMbI_S/s400/IMG_1022+Stairs.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made our way up the winding stairs for lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEskFQzO0CaCE7dttYMxk8RrQw8JMqfvplgIkluIVjUbXTFdrW6uF1b6tIJoHbla5T3Nz7d3hYh5-QU8QYS0sKCvhVHJfrZSiTH5VQKrfA4kS5woCNrBnDIa8950A1DoZclmUKQR2aq3kC/s1600/IMG_1031+Taverna+Dionyssos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEskFQzO0CaCE7dttYMxk8RrQw8JMqfvplgIkluIVjUbXTFdrW6uF1b6tIJoHbla5T3Nz7d3hYh5-QU8QYS0sKCvhVHJfrZSiTH5VQKrfA4kS5woCNrBnDIa8950A1DoZclmUKQR2aq3kC/s400/IMG_1031+Taverna+Dionyssos.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dionyssos means Dennis in Greek. <br />
L<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">unch and of course, some Raki and white wine! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigncYM9IA_HEQEvVTib7NuPBVq4GYvZh9shq-cFmYbMOp77BC3xmi0LcwQtxv0xp3Gm1nYlBRMzrYCDWyUWbaFsU9XNAYPsgybRz9JSz_iEWybjDZzbMOdkI459AUS8q4wpcniDlCfPK6J/s1600/IMG_1038+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigncYM9IA_HEQEvVTib7NuPBVq4GYvZh9shq-cFmYbMOp77BC3xmi0LcwQtxv0xp3Gm1nYlBRMzrYCDWyUWbaFsU9XNAYPsgybRz9JSz_iEWybjDZzbMOdkI459AUS8q4wpcniDlCfPK6J/s400/IMG_1038+Kitchen.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While lunch was being cooked, I was able to take<br />
some pictures in the kitchen where everything looked<br />
nice and clean!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUiF1CofDNsK3SdLjMl0oDHH3MjLxjq28ps4Uc7P7IvHz3WBYotvsIL2WlVAixLUbpvEINBoyqrloL-wChSwDuuFKHQTZvgEhIq_ezygWwiTajEKHNeOwrm6oBaxcvECm6ClYHxnEBpxF/s1600/IMG_1040+Slicing+Veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUiF1CofDNsK3SdLjMl0oDHH3MjLxjq28ps4Uc7P7IvHz3WBYotvsIL2WlVAixLUbpvEINBoyqrloL-wChSwDuuFKHQTZvgEhIq_ezygWwiTajEKHNeOwrm6oBaxcvECm6ClYHxnEBpxF/s400/IMG_1040+Slicing+Veggies.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were hard at work slicing our vegetables.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Florian ordered for all of us; and it was served family
style, just passing the plate! It
was the same as we did after our hike yesterday. I loved it because we got to taste a bit of everything and
it was all foods that I had never eaten and it was delicious! Darla posting pics as you requested…</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNjAyR5yRzVRAcqW7a20_6QVanAydSWIusmwhnM0CyH0AL7hZ_20ldjwbN0JVNfVmwChvonD2nnkcGbTez95UKl5xtA4G_s3yNsOLtqo03M-Z019a6hFEbijx90M9k8acNXfo7qzBbf2n/s1600/IMG_1042+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNjAyR5yRzVRAcqW7a20_6QVanAydSWIusmwhnM0CyH0AL7hZ_20ldjwbN0JVNfVmwChvonD2nnkcGbTez95UKl5xtA4G_s3yNsOLtqo03M-Z019a6hFEbijx90M9k8acNXfo7qzBbf2n/s400/IMG_1042+Meal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They would bring it one plate at a time... this was a stuffed blossom<br />
and was verrry good! Almost everything was served with Greek Yougart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4AglCLS_2XSXks-X4qZAqkN4LatKJVoa4yy4NS1A-PcQrdpkIp6jo9aa-3oNtPVpstRahsOQXURwegSz8NVdMlHj1bdlnK-nxRTfPvVWNyIK_CKb2jcT9lKAhRpCB7-8WMNvjC5uRBlr/s1600/IMG_1045+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4AglCLS_2XSXks-X4qZAqkN4LatKJVoa4yy4NS1A-PcQrdpkIp6jo9aa-3oNtPVpstRahsOQXURwegSz8NVdMlHj1bdlnK-nxRTfPvVWNyIK_CKb2jcT9lKAhRpCB7-8WMNvjC5uRBlr/s400/IMG_1045+Meal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see I couldn't help but eat some while waiting... but,<br />
The far left was a pastry stuffed with cheese, which is almost gone;<br />
middle was a bread with a yummy topping<br />
cucumbers to the right with parmesan or some cheese.<br />
They had many many white cheeses!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq8o3OAEwYYtoxbSKX5N5GDjcE9VlIhzrKzIuXIf0XU8A6MyjTr3m2OTWTB8IVNyFoeee1ugR1-2xhwmUlOAdYxbUjSrWON8bsmcTYnvTqndomYHwG_Htjw0o5iuu20DUKyN1JkoYOwED/s1600/IMG_1046+Meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq8o3OAEwYYtoxbSKX5N5GDjcE9VlIhzrKzIuXIf0XU8A6MyjTr3m2OTWTB8IVNyFoeee1ugR1-2xhwmUlOAdYxbUjSrWON8bsmcTYnvTqndomYHwG_Htjw0o5iuu20DUKyN1JkoYOwED/s400/IMG_1046+Meal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every salad was so fresh and good. We ate many things that according to<br />
the health department we should not... but you have to taste the local cuisine<br />
or you are missing out on the cultural and adventure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">We then walked back to the resort using the main road; which
took approximately one hour. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQA89iQz0vfDD26lZ3ZQDwI81AjLSc4JvI-1o0H2jfhqUTFbagewDI_ev0_ofJT2K80MdU5ngEIxwtdmhAudlvxztBIq9o1-4Bvw77Z1glhKrCE4RZZ1mlcyOon9nFSOcjx7BLPlCtQa1g/s1600/IMG_1053+Me+and+Florian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQA89iQz0vfDD26lZ3ZQDwI81AjLSc4JvI-1o0H2jfhqUTFbagewDI_ev0_ofJT2K80MdU5ngEIxwtdmhAudlvxztBIq9o1-4Bvw77Z1glhKrCE4RZZ1mlcyOon9nFSOcjx7BLPlCtQa1g/s400/IMG_1053+Me+and+Florian.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florian told me what this plant was called, but I forget.<br />
We saw it in abundance and it was pretty covering the roadsides.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBPp1C0aJvVykt0gDjq9tGo6mUslAPnT_qoxiBF9reC3-N6dPWVde20_Hd84ez35G8NgDLn36pCvqV7yfQIRJ949lge3imMiFv5I9Xz_m4q5OZZqC2Y9PKcZANMPfkCTiuH3rCU2eQhZU/s1600/IMG_1054+View+of+Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBPp1C0aJvVykt0gDjq9tGo6mUslAPnT_qoxiBF9reC3-N6dPWVde20_Hd84ez35G8NgDLn36pCvqV7yfQIRJ949lge3imMiFv5I9Xz_m4q5OZZqC2Y9PKcZANMPfkCTiuH3rCU2eQhZU/s400/IMG_1054+View+of+Sea.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting close to Damnoni where our resort is... nearing the end of our hike!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">I am obviously running behind in posting to my blog. It does take time, and wi-fi is also not always available. We are trying to enjoy our trip along the way and post when I can. We have one more day on the Greek Island of Crete then we fly to Istanbul, Turkey. There we will meet up with friends who visited in Oklahoma in 1997! Fifteen years later, finally, we are returning a visit to their country. Seeing our friends in Turkey was the purpose of our trip! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/children-on-beach.html">Children on the Beach.</a></span></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-59534926694422276622012-07-11T18:27:00.002-05:002012-07-18T04:52:12.665-05:00Walk Through Kollita Gorge in Crete...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 5, 2012 - Thursday</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Okay, I am really running behind on blogging... but we are enjoying our vacation!</span></div>
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After being lazy for two days… other than walking the 71/81
steps up/down at least three/four times a day to/from our room – we decided to
take a hike with a small group that was organized by the resort.</div>
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Kollita gorge is our destination for today (Thursday). It is not just one gorge; but, rather a
complex of 2 gorges (“Kollita” meaning two gorges). The western gorge is known as the Kato Poros Gorge, the
eastern one as the Moundros Gorge.</div>
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Our tour started at 9:00 am with a shuttle ride to the
little village of Vilandredo where we begin our hike through a dry riverbed of
the Kato Poros Gorge and then it continued through Moundros Gorge with gorge ending with a narrow passage called “the stone gate”.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3gBLOEIbrzafsC2NYlEwyd4wJjRA54sci9-GIUq3jzqBByOhP8TfDtStlAGQRf9nhVSBFitZ5YG0PJn9ypNleCtEKxN4VbpiM66fCb4y-0qzJTFG_he8Mn0YTtSVOLTCzxuRjzeTQlI5/s1600/IMG_0734+Deb+Burned+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3gBLOEIbrzafsC2NYlEwyd4wJjRA54sci9-GIUq3jzqBByOhP8TfDtStlAGQRf9nhVSBFitZ5YG0PJn9ypNleCtEKxN4VbpiM66fCb4y-0qzJTFG_he8Mn0YTtSVOLTCzxuRjzeTQlI5/s400/IMG_0734+Deb+Burned+Tree.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, <br />
our trail is anything but an even or paved pathway. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We came across the tree above that had been struck by lighting, but it was still living. I am standing in the middle of the tree trunk. We love nature and all that is has to offer.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG8fmjO3zGldj0sRAz5b2JEQPCR39rcFNvgi-QDnA3jL-WgatF533QyRQ0V8K_aimkWA6A8JW33BiU9vnn8YXNSXstxrrDJZbeTp5OO2wStR5ndQVxAPWc0trxgaSFnFxEkpf0YJqH9pi/s1600/IMG_0745+DT:Deb+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG8fmjO3zGldj0sRAz5b2JEQPCR39rcFNvgi-QDnA3jL-WgatF533QyRQ0V8K_aimkWA6A8JW33BiU9vnn8YXNSXstxrrDJZbeTp5OO2wStR5ndQVxAPWc0trxgaSFnFxEkpf0YJqH9pi/s400/IMG_0745+DT:Deb+Tree.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw several of these trees that grew in sort of<br />
a circle with several limb extensions shooting up<br />
from the same root base.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9K43LTHKsZOV-8A2zPOOp-aga3p87vtabqlYYwjeJIqj5fw00YrUV2FCj1i-XTU0YeOaHCPIIzflAJK3Nntiq_fb0t-Xzi2TsMIq5XTPf8fspHl_wg8W2C05GgCBdbTvXbmjHf1XbuKs/s1600/IMG_0752+Knot+w:Hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9K43LTHKsZOV-8A2zPOOp-aga3p87vtabqlYYwjeJIqj5fw00YrUV2FCj1i-XTU0YeOaHCPIIzflAJK3Nntiq_fb0t-Xzi2TsMIq5XTPf8fspHl_wg8W2C05GgCBdbTvXbmjHf1XbuKs/s400/IMG_0752+Knot+w:Hole.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This knot with a hole was interesting on the side of this tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWqJa39eWB_tCurD7J3TWlb-Tjr8zhyphenhyphenqN5gE0iOGaI6iBBcG-fWIekJ-1Pic5hDVF4wRttSbg90TiaL20aldQrVgOeNoE1iEltFB_kNBqbAT5OBbm73sOTjQ32GhE0o4DNn6JvX5W6ZvV/s1600/IMG_0753+Rocky+Pathway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWqJa39eWB_tCurD7J3TWlb-Tjr8zhyphenhyphenqN5gE0iOGaI6iBBcG-fWIekJ-1Pic5hDVF4wRttSbg90TiaL20aldQrVgOeNoE1iEltFB_kNBqbAT5OBbm73sOTjQ32GhE0o4DNn6JvX5W6ZvV/s400/IMG_0753+Rocky+Pathway.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the rocky pathway... we were so happy<br />
to have our tennis shoes and not be doing this in<br />
flip-flops!! Yeah again for finally getting our luggage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAE-xhwANlFck6No89Su4xZlMfy0HoyEnBs0p2ZplEXdUWGPed2odefDdbiyvVGNA57VX6q1Hi8Y-KrwHqfROUXTQMftnN6FVJNfmzNW1pbeEXwfW7aAReBod4WuG-GA5wZH52C8SKJdc/s1600/IMG_0755+tree+root.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAE-xhwANlFck6No89Su4xZlMfy0HoyEnBs0p2ZplEXdUWGPed2odefDdbiyvVGNA57VX6q1Hi8Y-KrwHqfROUXTQMftnN6FVJNfmzNW1pbeEXwfW7aAReBod4WuG-GA5wZH52C8SKJdc/s400/IMG_0755+tree+root.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree is hanging on for dear life <br />
with the roots mingled in and out of the rocks edge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjf9e3Z2wv9OR7PqsbJ3GPokC0sZtBWp0cqTnCsjrCeWqhGrRZgwuFqdQX6DXApcm4AWw72tRYOqfEOLRfkO0OvBkH0nwJEy0hCV5cOai38KEqwrrzvbqvMR9jQpj_xOn88OCXk-G3Kty/s1600/IMG_0776+Stone+Gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjf9e3Z2wv9OR7PqsbJ3GPokC0sZtBWp0cqTnCsjrCeWqhGrRZgwuFqdQX6DXApcm4AWw72tRYOqfEOLRfkO0OvBkH0nwJEy0hCV5cOai38KEqwrrzvbqvMR9jQpj_xOn88OCXk-G3Kty/s400/IMG_0776+Stone+Gate.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is called the "Stone Gate"</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">You can see the tree
across the very top… our Guide offered for us to cross there and then jump to
the edge! He explained that many
goats attempt that crossing and some make it and some don’t.</span></div>
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Leaving the actual gorge, we then walked a path towards the village
and saw many herbs – Rosemary, Sage, Mint, Thyme, Fennel, etc. all growing wild
and in abundance. There were also olive
trees growing everywhere and the olives here are yummy; next olive harvest will
be October! We also saw
blackberries and other berry bushes, along with plums, pears, and fig trees all
growing wild. The figs are
harvested in August.</div>
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We came across many other plants that I have no idea what
they were, but we loved our time seeing and exploring everything along the
trail.</div>
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This one particular little berry-looking plant was
everywhere. Florian, our guide,
would tell us about things as we traversed along… but he mostly spoke German, like
everyone else did in our group. He
did translate most everything to English, but not everything. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlp3SvNYeDFlkcuJJXpuiAiklyO_GOekr4Q8Arb9HJQYyiHXUH80CE4Hxp5kpza2k2khmF1OHXGuFz7O0VZ710zz-1Y7OVJ9nIvvCd5RBkDE_Ng1r5SbQXh1mNYKTp7Q5EqA9zj_MgNhq/s1600/IMG_0811+Toxic+plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlp3SvNYeDFlkcuJJXpuiAiklyO_GOekr4Q8Arb9HJQYyiHXUH80CE4Hxp5kpza2k2khmF1OHXGuFz7O0VZ710zz-1Y7OVJ9nIvvCd5RBkDE_Ng1r5SbQXh1mNYKTp7Q5EqA9zj_MgNhq/s400/IMG_0811+Toxic+plant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He had explained about this particular plant... then we were on our way!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Of course I
took pictures and Dennis no more than got a berry picked off of one of them… when
Birgit told him that Florian had just explained this particular plant was
toxic! That would have been a nice
thing for him to translate to English for us. While I only took pictures, leave it up to Dennis to mess
with the berries!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3hIP-ZxyMWXpkhlcyzT6eNBtv8QAHXBB1sDlotWMBl5MvgIiVcvGaIkjYqbauw_MjXBJS24jOMrZixuasMipkBM5SvAg031MgfNiLIPIJxQfOW6FFy6O9zcYFcg59gKsOV1M-dsdRN3n/s1600/IMG_1020+Toxic+Red+Berry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3hIP-ZxyMWXpkhlcyzT6eNBtv8QAHXBB1sDlotWMBl5MvgIiVcvGaIkjYqbauw_MjXBJS24jOMrZixuasMipkBM5SvAg031MgfNiLIPIJxQfOW6FFy6O9zcYFcg59gKsOV1M-dsdRN3n/s400/IMG_1020+Toxic+Red+Berry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw it growing mostly only in it's green stage as we went along,<br />
but we did see a few that were ripened to red.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We had a nice time visiting with several people in the group
as we hiked along the way. We
spoke quite a bit with one couple, Bernd and Ulrika, who were from
Germany. They spoke English very well;
in fact, most everyone in the whole group could speak English.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqEblTgboUS6Blt_SKlcHNvZ-kY6kzCt2J8K68JzzKrG3t5ZjD1VVIPcMduV4VYoPDvbYfU7PCkZ0PESqAmvkT0TU3hfbvaF8jA1bJdyAcPgkulo3Z9Zd8d8OEux3MMXyOc88Otxb9D09/s1600/IMG_0718+Berndt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqEblTgboUS6Blt_SKlcHNvZ-kY6kzCt2J8K68JzzKrG3t5ZjD1VVIPcMduV4VYoPDvbYfU7PCkZ0PESqAmvkT0TU3hfbvaF8jA1bJdyAcPgkulo3Z9Zd8d8OEux3MMXyOc88Otxb9D09/s400/IMG_0718+Berndt.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis and Bernd are discussing something...</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">I also had the opportunity later one eve to visit more with
Birgit. She and her son also hiked
with us. It was interesting to
find out she only lives 25km from Bernd/Ulrika; and they did not know each
other before the hike. So I can
see a trip to Germany coming some day and we can all surely meet up for dinner
somewhere!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZC4R5EhormmISnQXEiVqN-ExaoWDCxhrFPK_7rJNJZWBnjPREp81HZxqJIaYXEWXkeiPiYes1iCcorVtThSVgElk-g7N_Cu2bDgPQUDyz1BG7EHkzt-hkwp7BWiiLTy2Ht_RtCl-s2ez/s1600/IMG_0876+Restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZC4R5EhormmISnQXEiVqN-ExaoWDCxhrFPK_7rJNJZWBnjPREp81HZxqJIaYXEWXkeiPiYes1iCcorVtThSVgElk-g7N_Cu2bDgPQUDyz1BG7EHkzt-hkwp7BWiiLTy2Ht_RtCl-s2ez/s400/IMG_0876+Restaurant.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the hike we stopped at this little tavern restaurant in the village<br />
We obviously cannot pronounce the names of anywhere or anything...<br />
but, we loved the restaurant!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lftk3L4g_bONHH7hqekoGr0AmoDbuJBdDvj0RZ1At8iKffUzZczHvqsG-oblUftRRIwmwsiNBoLLLk_neVrPZA7ZEUjbJyi8QTDfvoqCiHbRbYxcCESbH0tcIHKGK_6Xb2YmPJqjrlU2/s1600/IMG_0842+Ulrika+our+new+friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lftk3L4g_bONHH7hqekoGr0AmoDbuJBdDvj0RZ1At8iKffUzZczHvqsG-oblUftRRIwmwsiNBoLLLk_neVrPZA7ZEUjbJyi8QTDfvoqCiHbRbYxcCESbH0tcIHKGK_6Xb2YmPJqjrlU2/s400/IMG_0842+Ulrika+our+new+friend.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ulrika is on my left in the coral tank top and Florian, our guide is across from me.<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2DQg7keTn2qOix3HOw9C40m7YX2u41Jr_391TpP76GMT9_alMhLZuDWp92zMk3yikvFVwCKoi7docxv9erOPXgAt7gbO6guNvJNiX8pstPNRbX5NPAk5JuEnuxC4jCLtOBUUQ1Q6PzFI/s1600/IMG_0853+Me+Restaurant+Owner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2DQg7keTn2qOix3HOw9C40m7YX2u41Jr_391TpP76GMT9_alMhLZuDWp92zMk3yikvFVwCKoi7docxv9erOPXgAt7gbO6guNvJNiX8pstPNRbX5NPAk5JuEnuxC4jCLtOBUUQ1Q6PzFI/s400/IMG_0853+Me+Restaurant+Owner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The restaurant owner came and inter-mingled at our table;<br />
he had more than one shot of Raki with us!<br />
He was a lot of fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We hiked for probably 3 hours and it was relatively easy. Here are a few more pictures along the
way.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeoMnJ8-BrcS_Mload_sczWr5wqAOJnNe_wcrWoaT-OXMhtqorfv1IIi1ni_zH4-Zb9cQVaqB14gS-Zq_EGw2mx7vBNvk_zOMhec6jqT4CRtFBUxffJjp-F7ZMN3jy1Kl9s3g4r5GuHtR/s1600/IMG_0782+Oleander+in+Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeoMnJ8-BrcS_Mload_sczWr5wqAOJnNe_wcrWoaT-OXMhtqorfv1IIi1ni_zH4-Zb9cQVaqB14gS-Zq_EGw2mx7vBNvk_zOMhec6jqT4CRtFBUxffJjp-F7ZMN3jy1Kl9s3g4r5GuHtR/s400/IMG_0782+Oleander+in+Rock.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oleander grew everywhere! I loved the fact<br />
that this particular plant is surviving in this rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXrkjAug1kwxZ27oSQtOuvEIm45kKpcqqpizYXmiF072OyFHLjUA8EVhcjtBXBl6Zj1_dZu1pQo-NyH4NtKwjzGz1L1g0DQUTAsiO0cZMooH9K9YufaUgSbmYoyqiA13b-d4WpRf7jW2b/s1600/IMG_0784+Horse+in+stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXrkjAug1kwxZ27oSQtOuvEIm45kKpcqqpizYXmiF072OyFHLjUA8EVhcjtBXBl6Zj1_dZu1pQo-NyH4NtKwjzGz1L1g0DQUTAsiO0cZMooH9K9YufaUgSbmYoyqiA13b-d4WpRf7jW2b/s400/IMG_0784+Horse+in+stone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stone overhang looks like it has a horse hanging from it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we walked along the pathway towards the village, we saw these vultures flying overhead, I guess they were waiting
for one of us to slip and fall in the gorge. I’m posting three pictures so you
can see the distance they were from us… we love our new camera! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQLrx13iRYc8jrESujL2kLohYqT5pCuD0EiiAFizZMeUQjfobqOYJ206Gki6MWuBpq0WSkN7iToaNBNyXcYXguxDsc-tBYlw3OPRrXfXD4DmhnoGtB7qbBjHIcSVoR3yNltJOfDWgpgdW/s1600/IMG_0813+Vulture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQLrx13iRYc8jrESujL2kLohYqT5pCuD0EiiAFizZMeUQjfobqOYJ206Gki6MWuBpq0WSkN7iToaNBNyXcYXguxDsc-tBYlw3OPRrXfXD4DmhnoGtB7qbBjHIcSVoR3yNltJOfDWgpgdW/s400/IMG_0813+Vulture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two were flying near the top of the mountain... <br />
and this picture was zoomed in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBcpJEbzT5wLHpPg7lu6WwZUf0Pqzi2dPShugnVNnFOKhTU4Ca75pAUgt-8Wl4J2GZEQl0MCp2Bt9NtJs6bKcwNcR9Ha8mWN058MQUtekG_AArJ7OaqvDeTyAcWoLAU5eX301tQ4VfFWY/s1600/IMG_0816+Vulture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBcpJEbzT5wLHpPg7lu6WwZUf0Pqzi2dPShugnVNnFOKhTU4Ca75pAUgt-8Wl4J2GZEQl0MCp2Bt9NtJs6bKcwNcR9Ha8mWN058MQUtekG_AArJ7OaqvDeTyAcWoLAU5eX301tQ4VfFWY/s400/IMG_0816+Vulture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I zoomed more on my laptop before blogging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydCOp8zRMVtF_J8XNuwEJMWG0gL1vxaVt3U4IKVDqMYB0f5YqjfLr67TFISuP1hQ0n9NCKpKFFD0bFFM0SvsF42NZClFLmeZrbGOqLTJ2kC5DDS7-D_K06tVJr3t949GqSHla42ZmwJth/s1600/IMG_0814+Vulture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydCOp8zRMVtF_J8XNuwEJMWG0gL1vxaVt3U4IKVDqMYB0f5YqjfLr67TFISuP1hQ0n9NCKpKFFD0bFFM0SvsF42NZClFLmeZrbGOqLTJ2kC5DDS7-D_K06tVJr3t949GqSHla42ZmwJth/s400/IMG_0814+Vulture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of them landed on the top of the mountain and I could barely see him,<br />
but thanks to our camera we got a pretty good shot of him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPn3Tat4ljPlGsp-WxT8PFFMe-eK9xcU76RWqHjZYjFjyWmREQUETfUylPcyYz_1RKHVFzyp8kMCYvAq4Ii8xbUc3oIVXHzx5p40qsqPZrJi1-pIav9UhGbkKrA2bjQ7RgFZgXb5WuVgf/s1600/IMG_0819+DT+Natural+Spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPn3Tat4ljPlGsp-WxT8PFFMe-eK9xcU76RWqHjZYjFjyWmREQUETfUylPcyYz_1RKHVFzyp8kMCYvAq4Ii8xbUc3oIVXHzx5p40qsqPZrJi1-pIav9UhGbkKrA2bjQ7RgFZgXb5WuVgf/s400/IMG_0819+DT+Natural+Spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw several natural springs of water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBQQrvvi2eLt3jpjSNvjTft1jqhNCGqABH4d6Q3aWmQerQAT3hbpNvjYhNjKEkygCOYoWRPPXvRKHcLPtY-79DrLiTZTS2oHndVppHWnewjwxVkrjl9p5tLKKDNdO_LloLDjVBdEUH7B_/s1600/IMG_0840+Greek+Lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBQQrvvi2eLt3jpjSNvjTft1jqhNCGqABH4d6Q3aWmQerQAT3hbpNvjYhNjKEkygCOYoWRPPXvRKHcLPtY-79DrLiTZTS2oHndVppHWnewjwxVkrjl9p5tLKKDNdO_LloLDjVBdEUH7B_/s400/IMG_0840+Greek+Lady.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw this little Greek lady on our way to the restaurant<br />
and she allowed me to take her picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV4gqCQsRw0eMnnwZM7-ZEcgE3NZGeCX5cKY_TabRJtuNwnA_iud7SLq03r2fKE15ov625xr0wEDzcHdDkEjGeyyqkV620YifNbzl7ZTJyi7-qaQTrw62EhTH9Nmo3DC4s5EEv9srww6_/s1600/IMG_0875+Beans:Rice+in+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbV4gqCQsRw0eMnnwZM7-ZEcgE3NZGeCX5cKY_TabRJtuNwnA_iud7SLq03r2fKE15ov625xr0wEDzcHdDkEjGeyyqkV620YifNbzl7ZTJyi7-qaQTrw62EhTH9Nmo3DC4s5EEv9srww6_/s400/IMG_0875+Beans:Rice+in+car.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy came by in his van and he was selling his<br />
dry goods to the restaurant.<br />
You can see the bags of beans, rice, etc.<br />
Note the scales in the back of the van.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see, our vacations aren't necessarily just about tourist attractions. We love to meet the people and see how they live and to see the country itself.<br />
<br />
Continued... <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/waterfall-hike-through-kotsifou-gorge.html">Waterfall Hike Through Kotsifou Gorge</a><br />
<br /></div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-89621153221980964082012-07-08T16:31:00.002-05:002012-07-11T18:43:55.157-05:00More Relaxation at Hapimag...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 4, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hmmm, let me think… oh yes, just more time on the
beach! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lb97C9vxTu4pnpHbAsj9uVCkIbpbLcJOeu6xPCs4GpTnZHZNiOJzbptAG6KHUETFEmZx-1i4qL3R2B8SfqCJq1_Ikf3wcHBFlOFmfkIHJ7C_LNPWMGaun8tQC-MpoJyVyVts8wCx_DrB/s1600/IMG_1246+Toes+r:w:blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lb97C9vxTu4pnpHbAsj9uVCkIbpbLcJOeu6xPCs4GpTnZHZNiOJzbptAG6KHUETFEmZx-1i4qL3R2B8SfqCJq1_Ikf3wcHBFlOFmfkIHJ7C_LNPWMGaun8tQC-MpoJyVyVts8wCx_DrB/s400/IMG_1246+Toes+r:w:blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the nearest thing we saw that even resembled fireworks today<br />
in celebration of our Country's Independence!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hapimag is a German oriented resort and we are
meeting lots of people from Germany and everyone has been so friendly. Several people have asked us why or how
we chose Hapimag. And, the answer
is – it is affiliated with our Travel Club. We have not met anyone thus far from U.S.A.; but, we met a
couple at dinner one evening and the Dad was wearing a t-shirt from Steamboat
Springs. Even with me being very
shy (haa), I did get up the courage to visit with them. ;-) His wife’s
father lives in Boulder, Colorado where she grew up, so obviously her English
was very good! He was from Chile
and they now live in Switzerland.
It is amazing almost everyone we have met speaks English. Lucky for us, it obviously is the
universal language.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Our condo is approximately 150 yards from the beach… we have
exactly 71 steps to descend to get to the main reception and pool area, with maybe another 10 steps down and 50 yards directly to the beach;<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0Ykn226shI0EKfPvoe4AbSdcA8fbjrsFVGsHTGDO2L50Cf4jcgLe1NWqrlgjIThSc_xlUVZ6iu8rY0mZq_tGELCcvdvE1HKex38OoEAwcQXlydyGcciz9HrQjhgKRds-5I05MHsH1-GH/s1600/IMG_0634+Few+Steps+to+condo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0Ykn226shI0EKfPvoe4AbSdcA8fbjrsFVGsHTGDO2L50Cf4jcgLe1NWqrlgjIThSc_xlUVZ6iu8rY0mZq_tGELCcvdvE1HKex38OoEAwcQXlydyGcciz9HrQjhgKRds-5I05MHsH1-GH/s400/IMG_0634+Few+Steps+to+condo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have a few steps to and from... but we are getting great exercise!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">The main patio is where everything is usually happening each evening, with some activity on the beach! They provide live entertainment or
something going on each day/evening if you desire to participate.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xOgXERZfbqM42QLeqct3Z9NHPxtniHcrZonbab77pSA7Ffr31p0U6hsDG6G3blZ7xsW2n4xkJVD254P8H3AFFHGrd8_xUaWzLEM8-l3OVGdnxoQjWZbzgCbeuIBottyBjPvV5Hu-Wd9k/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xOgXERZfbqM42QLeqct3Z9NHPxtniHcrZonbab77pSA7Ffr31p0U6hsDG6G3blZ7xsW2n4xkJVD254P8H3AFFHGrd8_xUaWzLEM8-l3OVGdnxoQjWZbzgCbeuIBottyBjPvV5Hu-Wd9k/s400/IMG_0705.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lounge area is always filled with people at night.<br />
It is also where I do my blogging using the Wi-Fi <br />
as we listen to the music or watch the entertainment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DvO2bIpEtrP6ilnUksRA0W4dW7WRgepb2D4Kx63qBf29-LpY476MbnJ4q9HEqJ766OkAvkO65BMX9pllc8p1ogXl8T9zwLjsMFHywxRxJF1NNhBYhZ0R7TUnfsXq4ZX8YdqIbkkPBxGG/s1600/IMG_0681+Greek+Dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DvO2bIpEtrP6ilnUksRA0W4dW7WRgepb2D4Kx63qBf29-LpY476MbnJ4q9HEqJ766OkAvkO65BMX9pllc8p1ogXl8T9zwLjsMFHywxRxJF1NNhBYhZ0R7TUnfsXq4ZX8YdqIbkkPBxGG/s400/IMG_0681+Greek+Dancing.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonight, they had Greek Dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgdtEZN3oqmK0RxhkH1NgiowmajMprWSPCjWBlBLYcH9bHltaYcQOHhSRsfDPNqL_mB8DkIhpGhbhh9tSj_GjcIueQQqSKSXjvOpp7nqNaZ0qQ7B8eNi0_DLr0exm8gH23sIIrWHdizP1/s1600/IMG_0692+Greek+Dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgdtEZN3oqmK0RxhkH1NgiowmajMprWSPCjWBlBLYcH9bHltaYcQOHhSRsfDPNqL_mB8DkIhpGhbhh9tSj_GjcIueQQqSKSXjvOpp7nqNaZ0qQ7B8eNi0_DLr0exm8gH23sIIrWHdizP1/s400/IMG_0692+Greek+Dancing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Greek Dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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It also gives us a nice relaxing place to visit with new
friends we have made. We are having a great time, even with all the things that have made us laugh because they didn't go exactly as planned!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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While the wi-fi is not lighting speed, it is nice to have
<i>something</i> to use… and I have really enjoyed being able to Skype with Ashley and Tully. John is usually
not home from work when we call because of the time difference. The more people logged onto the Internet
…the slower it is, so my best time for blogging or Skyping is late/late night or maybe I
should say early/early morning when everyone is sleeping. Vacation is all about getting to stay
up as late as you want or sleeping in as late as you want.</div>
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<br /></div>
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They have a great little restaurant called “Poseidon Pool
Taverna” where we had lunch today.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcysV6esgoXNA-KBVbaHgaIn7-HQ-j3A_Jbl9ofsnji-T3-PEYzJguD2Nb9Gmm2G3OcgbLK7yqZffHZ4HrZ7CtkC7khXy2PNPUhqh5HNt3-BW-2Xa8Ff9zv_JimAjyR1o2uN-o4v2Xsj/s1600/IMG_0649+Lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcysV6esgoXNA-KBVbaHgaIn7-HQ-j3A_Jbl9ofsnji-T3-PEYzJguD2Nb9Gmm2G3OcgbLK7yqZffHZ4HrZ7CtkC7khXy2PNPUhqh5HNt3-BW-2Xa8Ff9zv_JimAjyR1o2uN-o4v2Xsj/s400/IMG_0649+Lunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sesame Fish, Greek Salad and Spaghetti. It made more that two meals for us<br />
Nice to have the refrigerator in the room for leftovers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Here area a few more pictures of our resort:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_BpgOdc14EbHBinn-PIqPHdd2NymMn58dSzXqb6hFy9We8wtKiubwnsm1niqzqf6GkkOONqCkvJouaBtCcGfA5Z3lB7jtQI-NwvarrSGFy6T2mK6MtEaek5KDDD6Efaszdg-eDay8p0l/s1600/IMG_0628+Bar+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_BpgOdc14EbHBinn-PIqPHdd2NymMn58dSzXqb6hFy9We8wtKiubwnsm1niqzqf6GkkOONqCkvJouaBtCcGfA5Z3lB7jtQI-NwvarrSGFy6T2mK6MtEaek5KDDD6Efaszdg-eDay8p0l/s400/IMG_0628+Bar+area.jpg" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the bar area...<br />
Tables are usually full in the evenings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt1xGipZNZFVlpePe8w40WOHUwEf7mcfQO5f1591uRz6XCQc7MJJz5LbNLGNSbnNIuP1M6gmn5n8bGwBPGfePhbV6e4zjcBYsmVvWEZSXcC4NNwtvPOEN5CYB4pCyv1plWLb_8JVpcTwd/s1600/IMG_0665+bar+me+blogging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt1xGipZNZFVlpePe8w40WOHUwEf7mcfQO5f1591uRz6XCQc7MJJz5LbNLGNSbnNIuP1M6gmn5n8bGwBPGfePhbV6e4zjcBYsmVvWEZSXcC4NNwtvPOEN5CYB4pCyv1plWLb_8JVpcTwd/s400/IMG_0665+bar+me+blogging.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where I blogged from the first day... bellied up to the bar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDONN22o-bJMlJxGyAwYAHLI-W-kF_aBH-QwVrsTfoBonNtjUvCyJnW3pCv33Z3i9hpu1wHjBGaS5PjWRyFNBh9-fJZdTQHYEvofZylTycKzwn33-PTr8OF8Q5-7wRBqh6sjmRQ0QqVWL/s1600/IMG_0640+Resort+from+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDONN22o-bJMlJxGyAwYAHLI-W-kF_aBH-QwVrsTfoBonNtjUvCyJnW3pCv33Z3i9hpu1wHjBGaS5PjWRyFNBh9-fJZdTQHYEvofZylTycKzwn33-PTr8OF8Q5-7wRBqh6sjmRQ0QqVWL/s400/IMG_0640+Resort+from+beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Resort from the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7oWgfyhDIvCq4RYuIGc-QwIVFWZxeJ4VQ9pSPwNKmqQqI2P2lt111bz36TIf0VPm7n1QhzI1zT-2SZ0-ETYHbpFvBwY5MUNFe1zR1EU-aLmniZy9fV0UqEhtcxQ4UV0HhUqowDPIaoxU/s1600/IMG_0642+Fresh+Water+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7oWgfyhDIvCq4RYuIGc-QwIVFWZxeJ4VQ9pSPwNKmqQqI2P2lt111bz36TIf0VPm7n1QhzI1zT-2SZ0-ETYHbpFvBwY5MUNFe1zR1EU-aLmniZy9fV0UqEhtcxQ4UV0HhUqowDPIaoxU/s400/IMG_0642+Fresh+Water+River.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a river of fresh water from the mountains <br />
that runs down into the Mediterranean sea.<br />
It is right on our beach and is running all the time.<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODzGFoZ-pfpUWorXS9M2m4LHe690ptpGJyqrWFBB841R01HY0Uzh7102JA_YntRfLto2GgRW-Ms0UO-xcdPtcWiKAr1Zvij2ohOS5geg1DY1paPqjFuHFwyChvwi3PHRsTRs3biRNhjZ7/s1600/IMG_0651+our+condo+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODzGFoZ-pfpUWorXS9M2m4LHe690ptpGJyqrWFBB841R01HY0Uzh7102JA_YntRfLto2GgRW-Ms0UO-xcdPtcWiKAr1Zvij2ohOS5geg1DY1paPqjFuHFwyChvwi3PHRsTRs3biRNhjZ7/s400/IMG_0651+our+condo+.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of our condo, we have two balconies.<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs6Hapi6x-qHODmkOKMfEqBHuWF4G3uCiZzylQs2ppaCfAgz9ZMx34SYHgXG9wHDuh-5-BBGN0x9hly4TEfefRihxOe3Z3YoPUXeIH9jqo8QqSZrGS5eEEIMjTaF3Xlmyd3SJhu1RmJOw/s1600/IMG_0657+Inside+condo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs6Hapi6x-qHODmkOKMfEqBHuWF4G3uCiZzylQs2ppaCfAgz9ZMx34SYHgXG9wHDuh-5-BBGN0x9hly4TEfefRihxOe3Z3YoPUXeIH9jqo8QqSZrGS5eEEIMjTaF3Xlmyd3SJhu1RmJOw/s400/IMG_0657+Inside+condo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick peek inside, plenty of room for us...<br />
living room, dining table, kitchen, large bathroom behind the kitchen<br />
and a nice bedroom with storage.<br />
The rooms were nice, but it is the whole resort that is so comfortable!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIa-kTAGYv0pd5ImLYW_Pqv-CPfqb4P5eaMe1yNbnQp2W2nhyl3-nPi3TerUkXnSr_1ZJZzTb2bE_FlwAqjjnBgAtYBJxshzxWDqojZq4F58CFoFfWT4u1manQEweHOgIizEDDParF8ju/s1600/IMG_0627+rooftop+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIa-kTAGYv0pd5ImLYW_Pqv-CPfqb4P5eaMe1yNbnQp2W2nhyl3-nPi3TerUkXnSr_1ZJZzTb2bE_FlwAqjjnBgAtYBJxshzxWDqojZq4F58CFoFfWT4u1manQEweHOgIizEDDParF8ju/s400/IMG_0627+rooftop+garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several roof top gardens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0_joLKqmOxDM9lKIm8fEGOCJJ1o2-WFfH5pYKmpfM7Cq2LQPv2iT27fC8M2ndEIDEDWVJQCJPaR4vbfwyEVzt4y5Jyuio3ayFe8OUi1m4M86qh_feqaUiA-Ttweq7UlzcMTUhvlzsSZs/s1600/IMG_0626+Rooftop+Solar+panels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0_joLKqmOxDM9lKIm8fEGOCJJ1o2-WFfH5pYKmpfM7Cq2LQPv2iT27fC8M2ndEIDEDWVJQCJPaR4vbfwyEVzt4y5Jyuio3ayFe8OUi1m4M86qh_feqaUiA-Ttweq7UlzcMTUhvlzsSZs/s400/IMG_0626+Rooftop+Solar+panels.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The resort is being efficient with rooftop solar panels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A wonderful place to stay, should you have the opportunity!<br />
<br />
To be continued... <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.com/2012/07/walk-through-kollita-gorge.html">Walk through Kollita Gorge on Greek Isle of Crete</a>.</div>
</div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-12396833915940641732012-07-08T13:47:00.001-05:002012-07-08T16:42:56.107-05:00Hapimag Resort in Damnoni, Crete...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 3, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
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Arriving last night in the dark we could see the resort was
beautiful, but to see it this morning is even more breath taking. We slept so well, this was our first
night to have our c-pap machines and we slept-in without any problem! They had an information session at
11:00 a.m.; but, since it was noon, we missed that! It would have given us information about the resort and
things that are scheduled for the guests and owners, i.e. hikes, tours, evening entertainment, etc.... but we just take what we get if we're here for it!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW4TpnczQdj1AT9oEXNj4RPm0FnBhlHx6r0R8aouocdm-nYCX59SoKCBamEL8qtG8Ywd_TY6EONJYbsIdgV1eZPi7-6NXRY_qLIJ77pQ7iMjbmsLM_SMt6fNcMz1hRyH0gvq7d6LVhIhX/s1600/IMG_0638+Pathway+to+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW4TpnczQdj1AT9oEXNj4RPm0FnBhlHx6r0R8aouocdm-nYCX59SoKCBamEL8qtG8Ywd_TY6EONJYbsIdgV1eZPi7-6NXRY_qLIJ77pQ7iMjbmsLM_SMt6fNcMz1hRyH0gvq7d6LVhIhX/s400/IMG_0638+Pathway+to+Beach.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the most important thing for us to know...<br />
was this pathway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog015w6Wg8gogz_QEbgP6rt5RyRIIf3lgtXnYrA6i2n4J3SOoZi90IRwoclhvYbYYBVlNd8fUXRF0iKBL6CjRES-TWvr6Jl3YiYeZ2jh6BzHtjJpNXWcE5xJQ-BEjkn3ir9tUvmy1sDK2/s1600/IMG_0630+Hapimag+Damnoni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog015w6Wg8gogz_QEbgP6rt5RyRIIf3lgtXnYrA6i2n4J3SOoZi90IRwoclhvYbYYBVlNd8fUXRF0iKBL6CjRES-TWvr6Jl3YiYeZ2jh6BzHtjJpNXWcE5xJQ-BEjkn3ir9tUvmy1sDK2/s400/IMG_0630+Hapimag+Damnoni.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it was just past the pool and led to the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We just had a relaxing day on the beach and I did some
blogging. Has been really nice to slow our pace down some.</div>
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Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/more-relaxation-at-hapimag.html">More Relaxation at Hapimag</a></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-57944342672394855552012-07-07T18:14:00.003-05:002012-07-08T13:52:49.858-05:00Traveling to Greek Isle of Crete...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 2, 2012</span></div>
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Greece/Turkey Trip</div>
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Today has been another eventful day… with another “first” for
us!!!</div>
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We slept in… enough to miss breakfast ending at 11 a.m.,
which wasn’t a big deal to us! We
went to check out from the Attalos Hotel and before I could even ask about our
room error, the clerk at the front desk just started apologizing and said there
would be no charge… well that was a better price than I what I was going to
offer! See, again something good came
from something bad – haa!</div>
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The clerk advised still no luggage had been delivered, so we
set off on a quick shopping spree.
Our flight wasn’t leaving until 3:55 p.m. and it was only noon by now. We bought a few necessities at the
pharmacy and then found some shorts for DT and I found couple things as well
and then we headed to the airport.</div>
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Athens traffic was not exactly cooperating with us; it
seemed to take forever just getting out of Athens to the major highway! We had to settle up on the car damage
at Avis; we just paid our $37 Euros and headed to the airline check-in counter.</div>
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Having shopped and dealing with the Athens’ traffic, we
missed our flight to Crete!! That
was a “first” for us – to miss a flight and it be our fault!
But, nothing is a big deal to us at this point; we just proceeded to
another counter, paid a few Euros more and changed our flight, which was
leaving 3.5 hours later. Hey, at
least we don’t have to “run” anywhere!!!
And now, we have time to get something to eat, which is nice because we
haven’t eaten breakfast yet!</div>
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It also gave us a chance to go down to the baggage area and
talk to Aegean Airlines in person and find out what the deal is with our
luggage! We didn’t have the proper
ticket yet to get to the baggage area, but after stopping at the information
booth we then proceeded to baggage with the appropriate “permit” in our hand.</div>
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As we neared the Aegean counter we saw our friend, Jimmy;
and then we saw our LUGGAGE!!!!!
In fact he was tagging it to put it on the next flight to Crete and they
were going to deliver it to us.
Well, you can bet we took it with us to get checked in for our next
flight. We had no connections so
we felt it was safe!</div>
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At check in, we find my bag was 10 kilos over weight for Olympic
Airline, so we proceed to another counter to pay some more Euros and then
finally get our boarding passes. We knew it would be over weight, but was hoping it
would just slide through; but having the track record we have had on this trip -- not a chance!! We could
see many restaurants, but decided to get through security and then we would
find something to eat.</div>
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Making our way through security and heading towards our
gate, we can clearly see there are no restaurants… are you kidding me?!? We haven’t even had breakfast at this
point and it is 5:00 p.m; but we do
find a little kiosk stand that had some chips and sandwiches, and they tasted
great --considering our choices!</div>
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While waiting for our flight, I thought I better contact
Avis on-line and let them know we would be arriving little late to pick up the
car. I did that for the last car
rental when we arrived Athens late.
But, when I tried to move the time 3 hours later, it would just tell me
they are “sold out”. Thank
goodness the airport provided free wi-fi.
Anyway, I then looked up the Avis international toll free number since I
couldn’t change it on-line myself.</div>
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But, now my next mission was to find someone with a
phone! Aha, I see a guy… problem
was he was from France, so it would be long distance. Okay, on to the next person with a phone… I found a guy working
at a gate kiosk nearby and the flight had already loaded. He said I could use his phone and he
handed it to me… problem was – it was all in Greek and I have never even seen that brand of phone, much less know how to work it!! So he kindly dialed it for me.</div>
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The Avis representative who answered said she was at the
Athens’ location, I told her what I wanted and that I could not make the change
on-line and asked if she could assit me with making sure they knew we were
still coming. She said, “I think
they are closed by then!” I’m
thinking “you are $hittin’ me!”</div>
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She asked if she could call me back on this number; I told
her I just borrowed the phone to make a call that I have no phone myself. She said, “I will call you back in 2
minutes!” I asked the guy if she could call back on the phone in 2 minutes, but
I knew he was getting ready to leave that kiosk since the flight was gone; but
he was kind and said, “sure!”</div>
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Avis did call right back and she said they would wait for me
in Crete, so I’m sure glad we called them. It would have been a long walk and now that we have our luggage that would have made the walk even harder!</div>
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I went back to my gate (couple gates over) and Dennis and I
were sitting there and in just a few minutes the guy came walking back to me
and said, “You have another call,” and handed me his phone!! I’m thinking oh my gosh, I can’t
believe he came and found me and why would I have another call???!!! I’m telling you these Greek residents
are really nice! ...Avis wanted my
new flight number.</div>
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I managed to get an email off to the resort and let them
know we were coming in little late as well, but no time for a response... I am just thinking positive at this point and know all will be good when we arrive! Don't ask me why I'm thinking that, but it sounded like the right thing to do.</div>
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Finally, arriving Crete, we got our rental car and a GPS again; we
had a 1.5 to 2 hour drive to Hapimag Damnoni Resort. It was daylight when we started but we arrived in the dark
and yes, we had winding roads along the coast getting here. We passed through this beautiful gorge, but too dark to take pictures! We'll do that on our way back to the airport when we leave Crete; we'll, just leave a little early :-) Anyway, we checked into Hapimag without any problems,
unpacked a few things in our condo and crashed into bed.</div>
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We are here for 7 days and tomorrow we have no plans except
to spend time on the beach, relax, and maybe blog some!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlsuOYm6bupBHwjxC4IaN-1Mhb0KYdRsxTU2jIxRfa6QrLRiCWMNfIEwTyuhq7kT2Gopszu1Roni_ybyzv3sb2ets3oUhKidJtn1fC5WwXKkULPp6ej0eeUxNbc0zEQKXIeZbNLpd-a8H/s1600/IMG_0655+Hapimag+Damnoni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlsuOYm6bupBHwjxC4IaN-1Mhb0KYdRsxTU2jIxRfa6QrLRiCWMNfIEwTyuhq7kT2Gopszu1Roni_ybyzv3sb2ets3oUhKidJtn1fC5WwXKkULPp6ej0eeUxNbc0zEQKXIeZbNLpd-a8H/s400/IMG_0655+Hapimag+Damnoni.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view from our window when we woke up the next morning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/hapimag-resort-in-damnoni-crete.html">Hapimag Resort in Damnoni, Crete</a></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-80458911991626121052012-07-06T17:37:00.002-05:002012-07-07T18:25:40.493-05:00Passed by a "Jet Car"...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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July 1, 2012</div>
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Greece/Turkey Trip</div>
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As we drove from Trikala we were almost back to Athens and
by now it is about 1:00 a.m., we thought, oh my gosh, what is going on ahead… we
could see this sea of red lights!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RWfX2adPERR_QiC6Do530K4psP09Qp8w8OM1J8S3wiPL5R1MAMQqfeC_1h8VTeevLhfcamq23Fko3R2b15ziWp7avynoQfN4y5g45-_PBuFuh6G6wAlYhQzUesAD94M6opvHVdUwKi7n/s1600/IMG_0607+Athens+Toll+Booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RWfX2adPERR_QiC6Do530K4psP09Qp8w8OM1J8S3wiPL5R1MAMQqfeC_1h8VTeevLhfcamq23Fko3R2b15ziWp7avynoQfN4y5g45-_PBuFuh6G6wAlYhQzUesAD94M6opvHVdUwKi7n/s400/IMG_0607+Athens+Toll+Booth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">As we approached we could see it was a tollbooth! I think there were 14 lanes open and they were still backed up on every lane for a long ways. We had been driving for miles; and yes, a few cars had passed us or we had passed a few... but we are still wondering where ALL THESE CARS CAME FROM!! I have never seen so many cars at a tollbooth.</span></div>
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We had been driving on the National Highway and at one point
we were clipping along about 150 km (93 mph??) and a Porsche flew by us like we
were sitting still. I kid you not
– our car shook as he flew by and it sounded like a JET ENGINE! I guess you could say he blew our doors
off!! Seriously, we both looked at
each other and Dennis said, “THAT CAR IS FLYING!!!!!” He had to be going 200 mph. We have never had a car pass us that fast! Unreal… but, here it is another “first!”</div>
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We got through the toll rather quickly, even with all the
cars… we made it to our hotel and of course the parking garage was locked, so
we parked on the street right in front of the hotel, but our car had to be
moved by 8:30 a.m. … so, yes we
had to set our alarm and DT did go move it to parking garage next morning.</div>
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But, the kicker was – when we arrived to Attalos Hotel to
check in we asked the guy if our luggage had been delivered and when we told
him our name, he said, “oh, I was expecting you!” I’m thinking, “Yes, you should be we have a reservation, and
please tell me you have our luggage.”
But, of course, he responded that the luggage had not arrived! By now, we are like “whatever!” We are just having a good time. He did check us in and we made our way
up to the room… opening the door to find only a twin bed…. which, I promise
you, was not our reservation. DT
said he was not going back down stairs; but of course, I was… so I truck back
down to the front desk and he looked at his list and said, “I have no doubles,
but I can offer you a 10% discount.”
I told him, “we have no choice, it is 1:00 a.m., but I will talk to
management in the morning.”</div>
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We had one bath towel and one hand towel… guess who got the
bath towel! I’m laughing so hard
as I type this.. haaaa Even I wasn’t
going back down stairs again to ask for towels!</div>
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We did a quick Skype with Ashley, washed our one set of
clothes and off to bed by 3 a.m. We will shop tomorrow morning before heading to the airport. We are flying to the island of Crete!</div>
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Continued... <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/traveling-to-greek-isle-of-crete.html">Traveling to Greek Isle of Crete</a></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-71282545085095510972012-07-05T20:22:00.000-05:002012-07-06T17:44:20.132-05:00Our New Best Friends in Trikala, Greece...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 1, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Greece/Turkey Trip</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG8FoSjqfqOp5VmsQtMPY7qHHBjjBIWnqAK_zFyrMRpvMhltDGf2gVJSWbEzRPRrfcsq-5uJ77Mdy3cSodT9VDFGVJPC6lbM1wMw9o8Zh1_Kp1okV406tuD3_JoWWE5_ks7-mi8Mp0I5R/s1600/IMG_0581+DT+w:George+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpG8FoSjqfqOp5VmsQtMPY7qHHBjjBIWnqAK_zFyrMRpvMhltDGf2gVJSWbEzRPRrfcsq-5uJ77Mdy3cSodT9VDFGVJPC6lbM1wMw9o8Zh1_Kp1okV406tuD3_JoWWE5_ks7-mi8Mp0I5R/s400/IMG_0581+DT+w:George+Family.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis, George, Vivi & Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We have a 4.5-hour drive back to Athens today, and
remembered the invitation from our new friends who live in Trikala. So, as we came back through Kalambaka
we stopped by the Iridonas Guesthouse once again and Niki was so kind to check on
the status of our luggage… but, still no luggage! Uuggghh!! So that meant shopping in Athens before we headed to the airport for Crete.</span></div>
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Niki also placed a call to George to see if they were
available and if so, for directions on where to meet them in Trikala. With directions we headed to Trikala to
meet him and his family at the train station. Fairly simple directions, but it seemed that we went quite a
ways along the train track and still no site of the train station, so we
decided to stop and ask where the train station was located.</div>
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We saw a fruit stand and figured the guy there would know
where the station was. Yes, he did
and he kindly directed us, but the cantaloupe smelled so good that I had to buy
one… so, back to the car to get some Euros. He said one Euro, but then handed me what I thought were 3
cantaloupes and said 2 were on him.
I may have paid for those two according to Greece prices, but I sure got
a bargain for my American dollar.</div>
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As we got turned around and headed back to the same road we
were on we saw Thomas and George at the corner waving at us… we only had a few
feet to go and if we had not turned right for directions, we would have been there. I think they saw us turn and figured we
would turn around and come back… but they did wait as I made my cantaloupe purchase and
we then followed them to their house.</div>
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Their home was lovely and they were so nice. We received refreshing cold water
and some delicious banana ice cream.
Thomas told us the banana flavor was traditional --and it was really good. Dennis has been so lucky and I think he
has managed to have some sort of ice cream every day thus far on our trip. Ice Cream is his favorite snack. Anyway, we chatted for quite a while
with the family and just talked in general about our careers, travel, family
and such. </div>
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We ended up at the computer and exchanged Facebook info,
emails and such. Thomas seems to
be the computer guru at their house; and they now have access to my blog that I
told Thomas I would be posting the pictures of them/us on from the first evening
at Iridonas Guesthouse.</div>
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While we were on the computer, their daughter, Maracci, came
home and we had the chance to meet and visit with her. She was much more shy, but spoke
English very well also.</div>
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George, Vivi, Thomas along with me and Dennis, all went out
to see more of Trikala. We stopped
at a castle restaurant, which I think was in old town area and had a cold
drink. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDdYqkzO84IjTMOGAvx9smPEhDmJUbt21ACTB64Ow_UorfYgKNapApmqG3eLKKzEzkAbatSdIIungKCyi89EGSJhHjA_tP-S58HXt-QhwjOzcLYKFeXdJfGj4gx2BtQ28f9Nmooxl3G-7/s1600/IMG_0587+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDdYqkzO84IjTMOGAvx9smPEhDmJUbt21ACTB64Ow_UorfYgKNapApmqG3eLKKzEzkAbatSdIIungKCyi89EGSJhHjA_tP-S58HXt-QhwjOzcLYKFeXdJfGj4gx2BtQ28f9Nmooxl3G-7/s400/IMG_0587+Castle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSBnOEZYztAES0AONOQaEmldlgYNQ0IG5XugImRpiKP3ET4aOCTIUMD_nKe_etwgV0A5-oGLHUvRccyyZWU6NDq_1Z8yNBwxzdrS18evxFqE6I8KXnmcbP1gHVam9iuV1Wi8W98ZEOnv9/s1600/IMG_0579+Thomas+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSBnOEZYztAES0AONOQaEmldlgYNQ0IG5XugImRpiKP3ET4aOCTIUMD_nKe_etwgV0A5-oGLHUvRccyyZWU6NDq_1Z8yNBwxzdrS18evxFqE6I8KXnmcbP1gHVam9iuV1Wi8W98ZEOnv9/s400/IMG_0579+Thomas+Castle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas went over and sat on the ledge, I sneaked a picture of him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFO0fV8T_vHB74M3EtbW4Ndlgui6OuELU3ii2mh7indcvNZPxBBhMPw6tK2X12HJ8SBomfVdMZ_8QlWoCqR7sIjyZDOH9xzK8B3KM6KRdZ_8xQNsDKEF8C6nVWXeTMSxpHgiG8fbQaBqa/s1600/IMG_0582+all+of+us+at+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFO0fV8T_vHB74M3EtbW4Ndlgui6OuELU3ii2mh7indcvNZPxBBhMPw6tK2X12HJ8SBomfVdMZ_8QlWoCqR7sIjyZDOH9xzK8B3KM6KRdZ_8xQNsDKEF8C6nVWXeTMSxpHgiG8fbQaBqa/s400/IMG_0582+all+of+us+at+Castle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting on our drinks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmFesEw-CwkUJO3EV59Rn0_x_A_mYe7SJ2MScMtmMHsTCltCz-_0jDuYhDrlRMnFAaoT1AAzzjb_Tu8eZjqu3OIEx3Oyb4gJRJKjt8VsjuPtsti2mIosKEjAzv9zZjeGvNcXA6cA41hun/s1600/IMG_0591+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmFesEw-CwkUJO3EV59Rn0_x_A_mYe7SJ2MScMtmMHsTCltCz-_0jDuYhDrlRMnFAaoT1AAzzjb_Tu8eZjqu3OIEx3Oyb4gJRJKjt8VsjuPtsti2mIosKEjAzv9zZjeGvNcXA6cA41hun/s400/IMG_0591+Castle.jpg" width="347" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready to leave...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBIkZI7QMZuogJ9IP2amoZXuV0zmFI-Td-trPSUpTVRiQvUDQVlSBLnYum4dr03Bs1swhZsrK42LJ1ZZxrsBROpyh1AbfDG-owWu8OeyaNnG_J7biDeUlnHnDbJ3KkquvXgEERq6AoKs8/s1600/IMG_0591+Castle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBIkZI7QMZuogJ9IP2amoZXuV0zmFI-Td-trPSUpTVRiQvUDQVlSBLnYum4dr03Bs1swhZsrK42LJ1ZZxrsBROpyh1AbfDG-owWu8OeyaNnG_J7biDeUlnHnDbJ3KkquvXgEERq6AoKs8/s400/IMG_0591+Castle2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... but must have a pic on the Castle steps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We then made our way to Central Square where Thomas left to meet up with some of his friends.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzPBGic_cSbDE8DfLn0H8CMjOArJZ5TxJAdrljqsGzR4ks6LQ_93Nz99fFAW_qQ-iLQumfVhRag56s_NXhpR66YFOAsst8MghKGrRZOnIx1QDCIEkoI1fE28lKHT5s1HPNjovjM8vxMGl/s1600/IMG_0596+Trikala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzPBGic_cSbDE8DfLn0H8CMjOArJZ5TxJAdrljqsGzR4ks6LQ_93Nz99fFAW_qQ-iLQumfVhRag56s_NXhpR66YFOAsst8MghKGrRZOnIx1QDCIEkoI1fE28lKHT5s1HPNjovjM8vxMGl/s400/IMG_0596+Trikala.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Square was beautiful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Zc_crGX3mtqmmd4SWuLYC2Copyp6eRlV6FfrTt39QU86L9IELtupiRF9dfJWDe2zUlPtgpsux-a6WiW4dPabeh79l0iU7kXXy5OLQuejON9kzxS9LkdPEldLUO9o5os5A8yrMvqeOxXg/s1600/IMG_0595+Graffiti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Zc_crGX3mtqmmd4SWuLYC2Copyp6eRlV6FfrTt39QU86L9IELtupiRF9dfJWDe2zUlPtgpsux-a6WiW4dPabeh79l0iU7kXXy5OLQuejON9kzxS9LkdPEldLUO9o5os5A8yrMvqeOxXg/s400/IMG_0595+Graffiti.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But it was sad to see all the Graffiti everywhere in Greece.<br />
I understand that the immigrants are doing it.<br />
We can't even read some road signs because of the Graffiti.</td></tr>
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Vivi went by the church for a short time and George took
Dennis and me so we could get something to eat for dinner before we headed on
to Athens. Vivi, joined us after
dinner and Maracci and two of her friends, Juliet and Helen also joined
us. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HlihKXBEZypqHaakCI5VdM9w5ANmUefX80nIwBzwya197jaK12OnttXxbeDHtRXV1qG7WopBI3mO9MmPhIWUNAxzXxuDD_fedLGBb8HBYTdeyWGg28-lEYK_X01ROgwlYuUqc-KRdD85/s1600/IMG_0599+Maria+%2526+Juilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HlihKXBEZypqHaakCI5VdM9w5ANmUefX80nIwBzwya197jaK12OnttXxbeDHtRXV1qG7WopBI3mO9MmPhIWUNAxzXxuDD_fedLGBb8HBYTdeyWGg28-lEYK_X01ROgwlYuUqc-KRdD85/s400/IMG_0599+Maria+%2526+Juilet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juliet and Maracci showed up first, whom both spoke English Excellent!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtjlT3WtQDdQCaH52wK6IXqFH8OftkunxO7c_knWNL1WGaCyYHIUE9pY6IOApFQm22YJLu6Q-mV_b3Efnundi3GyrVB8XBWvmfUNkFvxxaz0le1A24TcH0DhkxRUw9ZH4RrVgAd3O9L6K/s1600/IMG_0601+w:Maria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtjlT3WtQDdQCaH52wK6IXqFH8OftkunxO7c_knWNL1WGaCyYHIUE9pY6IOApFQm22YJLu6Q-mV_b3Efnundi3GyrVB8XBWvmfUNkFvxxaz0le1A24TcH0DhkxRUw9ZH4RrVgAd3O9L6K/s400/IMG_0601+w:Maria.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right: Juliet, Dennis, Deb, Maracci, Vivi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9o4pubrNQPDf7ahylGiRDHIf0wO280kwKvZkPrDdJ9ioYtij0msTWkXXt_89mhnm2EPq8_utd88Bh_kK1dZsSJ04KyKfT2a4DrPYtzegroQddOdN-_ay8erKxSozCwj9ZkL8yFVN7aoa/s1600/IMG_0602+Trikala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9o4pubrNQPDf7ahylGiRDHIf0wO280kwKvZkPrDdJ9ioYtij0msTWkXXt_89mhnm2EPq8_utd88Bh_kK1dZsSJ04KyKfT2a4DrPYtzegroQddOdN-_ay8erKxSozCwj9ZkL8yFVN7aoa/s400/IMG_0602+Trikala.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Later Helen showed up in back middle.<br />
So more pics of everyone... can you tell we love this family!<br />
We truly had fun spending time with all of them!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Vivi had offered several times for us to spend the night
rather than driving back to Athens, but we were flying to Crete the next day,
so we wanted to be in Athens. We
still had a 4 or 4.5-hour drive from Trikala to Athens and it was now 10:30
p.m. </span></div>
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They were so kind and meeting this family has certainly been
the highlight on our trip! Vivi
promised she would come to Oklahoma.
Vivi, our home will be awaiting your arrival for you and your family!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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It really was sad to leave, but we did manage to get on the
road and head through the mountains in the dark. Dennis said he was good for driving and I did close my eyes
a time or two, but only for a few minutes at time. You know you’ve made new friends when they want to know you
arrived at your destination safe. I
did email Thomas to tell his parents we had made it to Athens! They were thankful for the email.</div>
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George, Vivi, Thomas, Maracci – we will remember you as friends for
life! Meeting you has been a
blessing in our life. We look
forward to the day you arrive in Oklahoma and visit in our home. Thank you for everything! Love and Hugs to you all!</div>
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<br />
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/passed-by-jet-car.html">Passed by a "Jet Car"</a><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-53917722063968519992012-07-05T16:07:00.002-05:002012-07-05T16:20:21.784-05:00Holy Monastery of Grand Meteoron...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
July 1, 2012<br />
Greece/Turkey Trip<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFQUaugZyqCO7GwP0nOqyTfY9YSlyT3F4SNGIWjrp3M67V7o6p42RKRznSYB0m4hWCC7k8a_8DpSMkmWag4bj8VkaeVH_F_CRoDfYsuC3-ni55fC-nddMKBNebotcqZKQWUBbFBZGA_a9/s1600/IMG_0466+Grand+Meteora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFQUaugZyqCO7GwP0nOqyTfY9YSlyT3F4SNGIWjrp3M67V7o6p42RKRznSYB0m4hWCC7k8a_8DpSMkmWag4bj8VkaeVH_F_CRoDfYsuC3-ni55fC-nddMKBNebotcqZKQWUBbFBZGA_a9/s400/IMG_0466+Grand+Meteora.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy Monastery of Grand Meteoron<br />
in Meteora, Greece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We continued our journey to the last Monastery of the day that
we were going to tour – Grand Meteoron, which was why I planned the trip to
Meteora in the first place. I
really had no idea all these other monasteries were here until we arrived this
area. So it was our treat to see
so many. While the inside of each
monastery is beautiful, it is the fact that they are built and most sit on top
of the pinnacles that truly amaze me …and to see them from a distance is
awesome!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We begin our way to the top of the monastery… but first hiking down some and then our climb up to the monastery
itself.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfOJrZBHM_CslL5W4cKbRlDeZmlthJF9LXOtxUAfKBmiFSA8cs1PwiA00rIuNeKugYgRlHbLy6-uvz0Dmveh6EhN69C0KwSx7vB5ewL1ptZp7ur1nrRD_tYZdhGlEdHLwG_s1lbQ-2t_H/s1600/IMG_0473+Meteoron+we+need+to+end+up+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfOJrZBHM_CslL5W4cKbRlDeZmlthJF9LXOtxUAfKBmiFSA8cs1PwiA00rIuNeKugYgRlHbLy6-uvz0Dmveh6EhN69C0KwSx7vB5ewL1ptZp7ur1nrRD_tYZdhGlEdHLwG_s1lbQ-2t_H/s400/IMG_0473+Meteoron+we+need+to+end+up+here.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We need to end up here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeu2u6HpXKgSFyg9W-kCxRdlpzCNI3_IO7BsgH1kqtBSHDlmcFoUw82THV-0k61pT6PxTkZCuseF45BfCfeVTVXhODi-PDW7C_Ny6BXTv8GlXqTap-EeQxGX0eL_8cV2xODBowVbDv88D/s1600/IMG_0485+Monastery+Meteoron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeu2u6HpXKgSFyg9W-kCxRdlpzCNI3_IO7BsgH1kqtBSHDlmcFoUw82THV-0k61pT6PxTkZCuseF45BfCfeVTVXhODi-PDW7C_Ny6BXTv8GlXqTap-EeQxGX0eL_8cV2xODBowVbDv88D/s400/IMG_0485+Monastery+Meteoron.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOccEFIkOYiAQlsY2-xBH4USNnBF6Xj7nPjN-Vxwc3XQAW8iecV094k4Fwqci_sNXg3Qmy4pt9xycQLPYFCl-8SU5hAsDSXc3t5-qY9BpEMWWno4Z6U2SYY4cFyJReKltuXruHlQowLfv/s1600/IMG_0487+getting+closer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOccEFIkOYiAQlsY2-xBH4USNnBF6Xj7nPjN-Vxwc3XQAW8iecV094k4Fwqci_sNXg3Qmy4pt9xycQLPYFCl-8SU5hAsDSXc3t5-qY9BpEMWWno4Z6U2SYY4cFyJReKltuXruHlQowLfv/s400/IMG_0487+getting+closer.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved the tunnels and walkways,<br />
winding our way inside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKbzC6ozM57EOOBu9MHbt9sncoa3aQxrdQgW-x2Ef6cP_JWjtux7DWQ0TGMW7YWSa-5npY1qPs1WLqAkWGw9wwnkea2pvgcyqIZImiBjK5flgbucFSMPLxVkKr92DtgyzeABg7sOrdQhA/s1600/IMG_0498+Ascension+Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKbzC6ozM57EOOBu9MHbt9sncoa3aQxrdQgW-x2Ef6cP_JWjtux7DWQ0TGMW7YWSa-5npY1qPs1WLqAkWGw9wwnkea2pvgcyqIZImiBjK5flgbucFSMPLxVkKr92DtgyzeABg7sOrdQhA/s400/IMG_0498+Ascension+Tower.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascension Tower<br />
Used for bringing supplies up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ns9YybTm_zs_J8I-ZgJIdEIavVEV629sUhe3_ZGQBtt7VejL2OcvN-3ldq1vDictoFSebgHPN_EaMFX5eDViECDlmXIsouWMehxy7A-U4b3BRxZ2rStczD_PNscM8O9n7cMrRWaYw-ww/s1600/IMG_0500+entry+to+next+level.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ns9YybTm_zs_J8I-ZgJIdEIavVEV629sUhe3_ZGQBtt7VejL2OcvN-3ldq1vDictoFSebgHPN_EaMFX5eDViECDlmXIsouWMehxy7A-U4b3BRxZ2rStczD_PNscM8O9n7cMrRWaYw-ww/s400/IMG_0500+entry+to+next+level.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steps to the next level</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGjPGtwLNWTD2E61_KENYfRTv6uSt0EjDZUaDhEJQ0cYslA3N4BxcbpyBL5-zt9Jn0rUnMIX54Q-SGqKG59xl8DkRwjOWQScirK1K8JYBhOOomGj6aH6AOQVw5Z1F_l3f0lwhUi_KdAiX/s1600/IMG_0509+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGjPGtwLNWTD2E61_KENYfRTv6uSt0EjDZUaDhEJQ0cYslA3N4BxcbpyBL5-zt9Jn0rUnMIX54Q-SGqKG59xl8DkRwjOWQScirK1K8JYBhOOomGj6aH6AOQVw5Z1F_l3f0lwhUi_KdAiX/s400/IMG_0509+Kitchen.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GoikyHB0g_0Oc_1lAfnVJPCrWwj93TVwK63ArKyyHBdKEuP1E-p56EeizMFyqRfnyADQhAGl9fEOLasfoFpsYq2S_JvgfWrJL98aqhm1CdEjo8ac6qg5eiHVNfFOKd65Di9NgREX_Dac/s1600/IMG_0513+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GoikyHB0g_0Oc_1lAfnVJPCrWwj93TVwK63ArKyyHBdKEuP1E-p56EeizMFyqRfnyADQhAGl9fEOLasfoFpsYq2S_JvgfWrJL98aqhm1CdEjo8ac6qg5eiHVNfFOKd65Di9NgREX_Dac/s400/IMG_0513+window.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved this window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MV3ouU0uYdq9W97sNEwdcdbMe67_G0FfSoixCRvr7kkGFb4VKa90siucaFKDsaspGOdjsc8bgLddYjTibIO-foU60_35n60jYgPN9FwlyBQkLzNPCXeReV3h5HzSykKb-cIO-4G7Cr2S/s1600/IMG_0530+Canon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MV3ouU0uYdq9W97sNEwdcdbMe67_G0FfSoixCRvr7kkGFb4VKa90siucaFKDsaspGOdjsc8bgLddYjTibIO-foU60_35n60jYgPN9FwlyBQkLzNPCXeReV3h5HzSykKb-cIO-4G7Cr2S/s400/IMG_0530+Canon.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this canon.<br />
DT looking over the cliff; you can see forever!<br />
...and it is a long ways down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRvqzeIWzg6hv41VJ4DC0uKVCcmVVuHCFk2NmUlvJYu55kjHl_yP8zx7zwfMUtlROli2L2aHTjwXTEhzTP2NkVDs9KIvr8Nzl1DIFTkuYALXVluHdk_tMOK2pzHVjC5ApYmw1W8X3_HiQ/s1600/IMG_0521Meteoron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRvqzeIWzg6hv41VJ4DC0uKVCcmVVuHCFk2NmUlvJYu55kjHl_yP8zx7zwfMUtlROli2L2aHTjwXTEhzTP2NkVDs9KIvr8Nzl1DIFTkuYALXVluHdk_tMOK2pzHVjC5ApYmw1W8X3_HiQ/s400/IMG_0521Meteoron.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grounds were beautiful<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAAlg9Mrc1VMZgb9HvGtpq092Hgc5MrHB0YNXihSQBZ6llR72EXxuhr5oTTSArvSotHZwNcdpkIoOtzZP9dnBZVqlOJe19eWlw8jZ5pB-8iNxB6l9yRb4h6_mDjhFm7UjmJkQS_BWN0rS/s1600/IMG_0536+Meteoron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAAlg9Mrc1VMZgb9HvGtpq092Hgc5MrHB0YNXihSQBZ6llR72EXxuhr5oTTSArvSotHZwNcdpkIoOtzZP9dnBZVqlOJe19eWlw8jZ5pB-8iNxB6l9yRb4h6_mDjhFm7UjmJkQS_BWN0rS/s400/IMG_0536+Meteoron.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had lost of paintings... again, some we could take pictures of and<br />
some we could not.<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaW7lbOvSQ2xY3JBq8A64kKsYIMpi9Jwm_re4QsQeX_j3AxVHXVb1i8RPKoNTuLtoUzTR-BVB4XiEJ4zVSA15Bd1fQbKphycCIbGWRpcdPFmu0ZwrbH4uzfWLUXZIIvwPJM7cgsHFH375/s1600/IMG_0549+lathe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaW7lbOvSQ2xY3JBq8A64kKsYIMpi9Jwm_re4QsQeX_j3AxVHXVb1i8RPKoNTuLtoUzTR-BVB4XiEJ4zVSA15Bd1fQbKphycCIbGWRpcdPFmu0ZwrbH4uzfWLUXZIIvwPJM7cgsHFH375/s400/IMG_0549+lathe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis found an old wood lathe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B79a-fmdy_oAfrLCRzznQY2cmPWbyOs-8LFPYupksn39FHVwrdPszp0r0qosMqQW4_IUXxBVXI0M1GpbVHw7YBfqbzjy1XyUm-pqD0x90eQR0C6dN6FMQxvCoqrtJ9lK2vrMc6Ln2gkm/s1600/IMG_0552+Wine+was+important.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B79a-fmdy_oAfrLCRzznQY2cmPWbyOs-8LFPYupksn39FHVwrdPszp0r0qosMqQW4_IUXxBVXI0M1GpbVHw7YBfqbzjy1XyUm-pqD0x90eQR0C6dN6FMQxvCoqrtJ9lK2vrMc6Ln2gkm/s400/IMG_0552+Wine+was+important.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This held their wine and it is taller than me! They take their wine seriously.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">By the time we got to this monastery… many of the pictures inside
were all beginning to look alike, so it seems I did not take so many of the
paintings this time and many we could not photograph anyway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This monastery seemed to be the largest and had more rooms
than we saw in the others… wine storage, kitchen, workshops, etc. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the most interesting rooms was this room of skulls
and bones. Someone said they had
been placed there to protect the souls of the monks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwkkwtncGzo0pHgX_qDpOFWGqiOR8GwLXj-0ojRZo6WMh-jHL1QBew62MDJvazLLzli1kEhkTwJC5pcqY62vLnLmgR2T9EfdFbwN57YO7P2NX16HMq-pThVEIhw1Ppwishi_a_HvO8oBQ/s1600/IMG_0683DT+Skulls+at+Meteora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwkkwtncGzo0pHgX_qDpOFWGqiOR8GwLXj-0ojRZo6WMh-jHL1QBew62MDJvazLLzli1kEhkTwJC5pcqY62vLnLmgR2T9EfdFbwN57YO7P2NX16HMq-pThVEIhw1Ppwishi_a_HvO8oBQ/s400/IMG_0683DT+Skulls+at+Meteora.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXkaDw66iRP9cebyKMLB6cRrohketJfacfDPUpPc6wuuruHbheO2bLwnZ81YENkld196mB73th8HLFj2yln8yJfDqpofVsB3uITDMmGuLKvUdjq0IgUdL2uDfton_pDP5dHvhnACdUyjT/s1600/IMG_0558+way+up+there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXkaDw66iRP9cebyKMLB6cRrohketJfacfDPUpPc6wuuruHbheO2bLwnZ81YENkld196mB73th8HLFj2yln8yJfDqpofVsB3uITDMmGuLKvUdjq0IgUdL2uDfton_pDP5dHvhnACdUyjT/s400/IMG_0558+way+up+there.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were waaaaaay up there!!<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwg4sYVGej7kPSPrj1d6ryxXTv_oDCHkdERxdVoyPLfq6vO9AMQM1CNnZGQoU3g-QMoCBt9AZbGvzNLva1OLaD2XClajspCeIi3v7lS-NjLFxLSpzEwg8WPU9olObw9fgv7R6-ucrnpNI/s1600/IMG_0561+barefoot+moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwg4sYVGej7kPSPrj1d6ryxXTv_oDCHkdERxdVoyPLfq6vO9AMQM1CNnZGQoU3g-QMoCBt9AZbGvzNLva1OLaD2XClajspCeIi3v7lS-NjLFxLSpzEwg8WPU9olObw9fgv7R6-ucrnpNI/s400/IMG_0561+barefoot+moment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my moments with my shoes off...<br />
You can see another monastery in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J0w-aGmPzb7LpzfxB9wScWYjohYkII-wa7LjNCIMDpPpICY_X-lUM7T5oNHt1ZLP_Z2PBQDZWLAJTFQ6qSJo9OjRvplogJAVfZD8KqB_wRRI4tJD3mdceYsmNL3Py9vmYElvfc20jp-V/s1600/IMG_0490+Other+Monastery+seen+from+Meteoron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4J0w-aGmPzb7LpzfxB9wScWYjohYkII-wa7LjNCIMDpPpICY_X-lUM7T5oNHt1ZLP_Z2PBQDZWLAJTFQ6qSJo9OjRvplogJAVfZD8KqB_wRRI4tJD3mdceYsmNL3Py9vmYElvfc20jp-V/s400/IMG_0490+Other+Monastery+seen+from+Meteoron.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was another monastery that we could see in the distance<br />
while we were in the Grand Meteoron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/our-new-best-friends-in-trikala-greece.html">Our New Best Friends in Greece</a></div>
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Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-25404348892805328232012-07-04T18:41:00.001-05:002012-07-05T16:09:22.029-05:00Monastery Holy Trinity, Meteora, Greece...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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July 1, 2012</div>
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Greece/Turkey</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H2LEMz-hlu_YHYxQT3OQBQdmZxNTDjIxOfQ2dONR07pETn0OMyEs33PkSaI7mJqkB1tnCSI9HNU9qRyeCWBo-XhFQE-wUqb5vlXTsVJqL69XnpKmEOw_S1fToGtRP2ptxZ8Giq1Q0Dto/s1600/IMG_0423+Monastery+Holy+Trinity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H2LEMz-hlu_YHYxQT3OQBQdmZxNTDjIxOfQ2dONR07pETn0OMyEs33PkSaI7mJqkB1tnCSI9HNU9qRyeCWBo-XhFQE-wUqb5vlXTsVJqL69XnpKmEOw_S1fToGtRP2ptxZ8Giq1Q0Dto/s400/IMG_0423+Monastery+Holy+Trinity.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monastery Holy Trinity is the oldest monastery in Meteora<br />
built in 1476 on top of the cliffs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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These monasteries are one of the most spectacular places to
visit in Greece! We walked down a
winding rock pathway to the base of the rock and then walked up a winding
pathway along with some steps to get to the monastery. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbuI7K-7b3g7h64Cuywvy2B9mjPRdXHeYQ8bLBKcZ8LjI-1DzNjQszbMyGsYoPK9uA7slsnJZxV0edGO-aGB61cEsQuEqPzR-d05C3FGMwp-6IHsg6KKsqKrB1XqwqQNLkjCKo_CU0_GE/s1600/IMG_0446+Winding+pathway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbuI7K-7b3g7h64Cuywvy2B9mjPRdXHeYQ8bLBKcZ8LjI-1DzNjQszbMyGsYoPK9uA7slsnJZxV0edGO-aGB61cEsQuEqPzR-d05C3FGMwp-6IHsg6KKsqKrB1XqwqQNLkjCKo_CU0_GE/s400/IMG_0446+Winding+pathway.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked this whole winding pathway + steps<br />
...and you can't even see all of either one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62woltifyehAw4Ule_q7RMfK5vjaQpBUHSwphew_5P4lsQTgp6v__uFrsv6H7BM4orbtvAD7yWYXSR0BdbG5kLY6jGcffA44W13Xc0iSnLqEBumaMnw9kDevD0ku_k2FZSSYj_VVyFCA6/s1600/IMG_0426+Holy+Trinity+Steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62woltifyehAw4Ule_q7RMfK5vjaQpBUHSwphew_5P4lsQTgp6v__uFrsv6H7BM4orbtvAD7yWYXSR0BdbG5kLY6jGcffA44W13Xc0iSnLqEBumaMnw9kDevD0ku_k2FZSSYj_VVyFCA6/s400/IMG_0426+Holy+Trinity+Steps.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are only a few of the steps...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was fun and worth the effort to get to the top, but the hike was a little difficult
in flip-flops! Oh how we wished we had our tennis shoes and lost luggage! Are you getting tired of seeing this orange shirt and black pants... well, DT is tired of wearing them! Some luggage would be nice... </div>
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Some of the pathway or steps was just
easier for me to go barefoot. (Judy, tell your hubby he would not have ever made the climb
with us; I thought about him!)</div>
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It is amazing how these monasteries were built and sit right
on top of the rocks. I read where
studies suggest that the pinnacles were formed about 60 million years ago. Weathering and earthquakes then shaped
the sandstone/conglomerate pillars into their present shape. Geologists maintain they were made by
the waters of prehistoric sea; and are said to be pushed up from the
seabed. These monasteries are
Located beside the Pindus Mountains in northern Greece. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGIzTZI7jJKyE5spNAMgbA5IF4GhVrVF5YTpQGG78LWAZ5CD6NoqbhPka8zbLOZbCFmI42p9sZFr4Hu8pxSXygbp-p8eDSZj6xN-u7oFSEPomefQxiibjdVEwadw7l97TQ3jHnWw9hZut/s1600/IMG_0450+Pulley+for+supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGIzTZI7jJKyE5spNAMgbA5IF4GhVrVF5YTpQGG78LWAZ5CD6NoqbhPka8zbLOZbCFmI42p9sZFr4Hu8pxSXygbp-p8eDSZj6xN-u7oFSEPomefQxiibjdVEwadw7l97TQ3jHnWw9hZut/s320/IMG_0450+Pulley+for+supplies.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Here you can see how building materials and supplies were
taken to the top of the rock! I
read where at first this is how even people were brought up and down as well and it
was believed that the net was replaced only when the Lord let them break. I sure would hate to be the one in
route when the net broke! ...and yes, I wonder how the first people got up there to even make the pulley and net available!?!</div>
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Some things we were allowed to take pictures of and some we
were not. They had signs posted each place where you could not take pictures.
I took many pictures that were all okay and without realizing took two
that should not have been taken.
But, since I already have them, I might as well post them! I think the reason is because of the
flash itself. I apologize, to the
monastery!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw5-y1FwKYxfL8_KyMjhZazpuZxkcgKXAt4eye8tla_PU-IznRFzJ_KI_HYOOvJ6X9aSppTtK9suCjUHcDPIXLWmmEvyBwBbPZD01Psr0aF-J5BRO_7VVE_JiBb5eroTmIXEou-uHdnjT/s1600/IMG_0431+Holy+Trinity+Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw5-y1FwKYxfL8_KyMjhZazpuZxkcgKXAt4eye8tla_PU-IznRFzJ_KI_HYOOvJ6X9aSppTtK9suCjUHcDPIXLWmmEvyBwBbPZD01Psr0aF-J5BRO_7VVE_JiBb5eroTmIXEou-uHdnjT/s400/IMG_0431+Holy+Trinity+Painting.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx0YqYQFOSujaYiKDX44DqYYffj5zhJTaM-p0wDCsX8r3S952GSIrKWkRxgJPc2anVie-t2I_UDqh8BkhZbSPvb_5Q_7AwybkU-Tf3d2GxjvcY7rSi-kvgwHxCdfNKUp63_fsnh7Leva_/s1600/IMG_0432+Paintings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx0YqYQFOSujaYiKDX44DqYYffj5zhJTaM-p0wDCsX8r3S952GSIrKWkRxgJPc2anVie-t2I_UDqh8BkhZbSPvb_5Q_7AwybkU-Tf3d2GxjvcY7rSi-kvgwHxCdfNKUp63_fsnh7Leva_/s400/IMG_0432+Paintings.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckLfzwkQrtEsPKXzb-M_W-pUxhYnzZMSWtdxY4Unv0WE3DzlbvQU4EHAp6xukRuxP0l-JkTm1tT2o3f1FwkOchHOX0yCDRKu00duvCqQZW0DdrOjiRbDMRIjU4MbgiJU2liGev2Y2tMJ2/s1600/IMG_0433+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckLfzwkQrtEsPKXzb-M_W-pUxhYnzZMSWtdxY4Unv0WE3DzlbvQU4EHAp6xukRuxP0l-JkTm1tT2o3f1FwkOchHOX0yCDRKu00duvCqQZW0DdrOjiRbDMRIjU4MbgiJU2liGev2Y2tMJ2/s400/IMG_0433+inside.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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The monastery was beautiful and it amazes me how they ever built them on the tops of the rock pinnacles and cliffs!</div>
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An interesting fact:
Monastery Holy Trinity is where they filmed the James Bond movie “For
Your Eyes Only” in 1981.<br />
<br />
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/holy-monastery-of-grand-meteoron.html">Holy Monastery Grand Meteoron</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-34043618000554275072012-07-04T18:24:00.001-05:002012-07-04T20:57:28.949-05:00Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen, Meteora, Greece...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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July 1, 2012</div>
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Greece/Turkey</div>
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Located just outside Kalambaka is the Holy Monastery of
Saint Stephen. Saint Stephen was
built in the 16<sup>th</sup> Century and this monastery rests on the plain
rather than a cliff. The Monastery
is inhabited now by nuns only.</div>
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It was interesting when we walked to the cliff's edge we could
see where we stayed at the Iridonas Guesthouse …and it was a long way down to the guesthouse!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2UNIy8BuI5SoTWnoW-wR6PunsI5xC1dL2nuxpnkbB7Mxqrpo9TRVQvBmLZFjBcpFWy0HucD8174ZtTIu6H5En8ivoGoLMki7SAwTfEL-PSUjwnHoPOyMbJsgzvQ4gna9h0XJ6eamRj3T/s1600/IMG_0400+St+Stephen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2UNIy8BuI5SoTWnoW-wR6PunsI5xC1dL2nuxpnkbB7Mxqrpo9TRVQvBmLZFjBcpFWy0HucD8174ZtTIu6H5En8ivoGoLMki7SAwTfEL-PSUjwnHoPOyMbJsgzvQ4gna9h0XJ6eamRj3T/s400/IMG_0400+St+Stephen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen, Meteora, Greece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9aXBs7YQMFQnPpE_K8NF7faSGpicZLM19wNeBU8U6E92KMzKGO61enNwJ7TG66q2v2-8Tp5dvcj15nlncnTGRNOBrJ05QYoCjhOjgacHVi20u5y7TzA_U01tA9rf7DE4x-lIsuu4DUgS/s1600/IMG_0405+St+Stephen+Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9aXBs7YQMFQnPpE_K8NF7faSGpicZLM19wNeBU8U6E92KMzKGO61enNwJ7TG66q2v2-8Tp5dvcj15nlncnTGRNOBrJ05QYoCjhOjgacHVi20u5y7TzA_U01tA9rf7DE4x-lIsuu4DUgS/s400/IMG_0405+St+Stephen+Back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the back as we were approaching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5iPWFQT9uj1eEm-1R-pYa9xdbrK-RgOUMYAUqYqAS3zAVGq6XniCCteatPNiUifQy1GDnj_zRFMdhkKFythXgHUalP9eJX0XXLG5Fi1LZ62Bm3tdLiUxircRA2DqwMIu9vv_iBM3JtIJ/s1600/IMG_0413+St+Stephens+Entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5iPWFQT9uj1eEm-1R-pYa9xdbrK-RgOUMYAUqYqAS3zAVGq6XniCCteatPNiUifQy1GDnj_zRFMdhkKFythXgHUalP9eJX0XXLG5Fi1LZ62Bm3tdLiUxircRA2DqwMIu9vv_iBM3JtIJ/s400/IMG_0413+St+Stephens+Entrance.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Entrance of Monastery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRYYef3AocJzI3bgIGIv5e4rVRnJXwfezzoWvJGFasKR7E6VW8SorCmEWJfqBOPmc6w-zyUr44lR-n8UnTstSE7ze-svwWl_ctTVKZqhzfkBQ-o0BLyxxlEguJ_W-qsXB9HXRrc2nJAmr/s1600/IMG_0412+tiered+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRYYef3AocJzI3bgIGIv5e4rVRnJXwfezzoWvJGFasKR7E6VW8SorCmEWJfqBOPmc6w-zyUr44lR-n8UnTstSE7ze-svwWl_ctTVKZqhzfkBQ-o0BLyxxlEguJ_W-qsXB9HXRrc2nJAmr/s400/IMG_0412+tiered+garden.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was impressed with this tiered garden!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwkAe0NJF3bLKq3QgJZZ6h5rfQrG6gfCDZqGUbS5EZa2PUUtSysajUY6Ie6KXJt9QQCA7kwZNgWYb8164eJg_0KVuZ03adDQm2-6hyphenhyphenJH_aP09LBB5FJC_d55zEGFTAEv984qX7NBhREUP/s1600/IMG_0417+Gardens%253AGrounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwkAe0NJF3bLKq3QgJZZ6h5rfQrG6gfCDZqGUbS5EZa2PUUtSysajUY6Ie6KXJt9QQCA7kwZNgWYb8164eJg_0KVuZ03adDQm2-6hyphenhyphenJH_aP09LBB5FJC_d55zEGFTAEv984qX7NBhREUP/s400/IMG_0417+Gardens%253AGrounds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the gardens and grounds inside the gates.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZjovP62VP8a5Y-eEz7qnp12TgFIiA-_fwRbju7xsRLABU6sXw7gOwmIjJiaEFWhCSdGPGXWhJk2Lms9UkTiR1fj3In6QC1ubG9thm0ox569XAqaJIh4P4IP0R6DU9Ein3O15B5UURloZ/s1600/IMG_0421+Cross+St+Stephens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZjovP62VP8a5Y-eEz7qnp12TgFIiA-_fwRbju7xsRLABU6sXw7gOwmIjJiaEFWhCSdGPGXWhJk2Lms9UkTiR1fj3In6QC1ubG9thm0ox569XAqaJIh4P4IP0R6DU9Ein3O15B5UURloZ/s400/IMG_0421+Cross+St+Stephens.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw a peek of this cross on the hill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhUsvArA3Pot2a4cUOGDi_zWc96Zjy-CeoFi1kLVp_Y6SXfQQTZ9QwcrhrBYPc2n0oUH7wP_SThNz7DL9e5YqoSeWsNH7jiLDFx_4lIjF1MdiH3qEvDHfCS1CEzMW_6jcOF1HJKgCOqQ7/s1600/IMG_0419+Water+Closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhUsvArA3Pot2a4cUOGDi_zWc96Zjy-CeoFi1kLVp_Y6SXfQQTZ9QwcrhrBYPc2n0oUH7wP_SThNz7DL9e5YqoSeWsNH7jiLDFx_4lIjF1MdiH3qEvDHfCS1CEzMW_6jcOF1HJKgCOqQ7/s400/IMG_0419+Water+Closet.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Closet... this is the first I have seen or used like this!<br />
You just stand where the ridges are...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">I took a lot of pictures of the various monasteries, I hope I get the names with the right pictures!</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04;"><span style="color: white;">Continued:</span> <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/monastery-holy-trinity-meteora-greece.html">Monastery Holy Trinity</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
</div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-31870459806540204462012-07-04T18:04:00.001-05:002012-07-04T20:48:44.567-05:00Iridonas Guesthouse in Kalambaka, Greece...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">July 1, 2012</span><br />
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Greece/Turkey</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KtQZTnk3Sqvp10SHkEVxUKTGtBtH-y5z5niJ2v9492qNozSfFYM3Z5NzVyrsY5ClBvtfH-Om6i-ixE1qJNud6i9FtEeHxjP6MlbolAysETMNJZqWedilY9RjUZeBLej81rpgIHu0bt6_/s1600/IMG_0573+Iridonas+Guesthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KtQZTnk3Sqvp10SHkEVxUKTGtBtH-y5z5niJ2v9492qNozSfFYM3Z5NzVyrsY5ClBvtfH-Om6i-ixE1qJNud6i9FtEeHxjP6MlbolAysETMNJZqWedilY9RjUZeBLej81rpgIHu0bt6_/s400/IMG_0573+Iridonas+Guesthouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iridonas Guesthouse in Kalambaka, Greece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cannot say enough good things about the Iridonas
Guesthouse in Kalambaka--what a treasure we found!! Inside was so beautiful and everything was new and taken care
of. I tried to take some pictures,
but they just do not do justice for what we were seeing. Even DT said I did well! This was certainly a step up from
Attalos Hotel in Athens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank goodness they didn’t have an address and that we
needed directions from George’s family, or we would have never met them! I’m telling you-- if you look for
something good in everything bad you can always find something good!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Niki, the guesthouse owner, was super nice and spoke English
very well. We came down for
breakfast about 10:00 a.m. and were greeted by Stella. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KkKNL0FlqW4NKAEtIZyTgY1qOHU79Nt1wwzjU8ADFwqiSEwCYCchgYSjdfSDkgcLi1k6CIF3s8DpO0o_e_ED0a_5n03CH3IKTvgwzTw-IjBTOy3Ovb3MgI_HmLAqYofviv-VUIBn5NRC/s1600/IMG_0700+Iridonas+Stella+bkfst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KkKNL0FlqW4NKAEtIZyTgY1qOHU79Nt1wwzjU8ADFwqiSEwCYCchgYSjdfSDkgcLi1k6CIF3s8DpO0o_e_ED0a_5n03CH3IKTvgwzTw-IjBTOy3Ovb3MgI_HmLAqYofviv-VUIBn5NRC/s320/IMG_0700+Iridonas+Stella+bkfst.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella had prepared our breakfast...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Breakfast consisted of cold meats and cheeses, boiled eggs, along
with toast and marmalades, juice, and some cake! I also had a wonderful pineapple hot tea. It was all very good and more than we
could eat. I forgot to take a pic
of our breakfast.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGcNdIpS6TCkdQq3Y0gKpDHacDtfOu9Fc25qYxtAE_pCo4V0GqWNT680Ce8bbZZf4L3zRdx_McfNTqYFi19ulw_nYBeyly2_oMAPUG3bboZpldX18_xKjGTLd55M6iAJK_of7VI2yUD6-/s1600/IMG_0699+Niki+w%253Atwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGcNdIpS6TCkdQq3Y0gKpDHacDtfOu9Fc25qYxtAE_pCo4V0GqWNT680Ce8bbZZf4L3zRdx_McfNTqYFi19ulw_nYBeyly2_oMAPUG3bboZpldX18_xKjGTLd55M6iAJK_of7VI2yUD6-/s400/IMG_0699+Niki+w%253Atwins.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During breakfast we had the pleasure of visiting with Niki<br />
and her twins - Jiannis and Danae, who were 20 months old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7Ftj91DYsZB5BVwIwFKa8D_jaN1amid3ktjnlEPmQAF0tW2acbSusMCMNqZOd77F2ygdDY9Fi4uauPHbpRFSQf5053pUMjxMpA2jQpMvrts15bSfrsjkJ2v9ZmT3ydf-rGgMbM-9gPoF/s1600/IMG_0698+Danae+%2526+Niki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7Ftj91DYsZB5BVwIwFKa8D_jaN1amid3ktjnlEPmQAF0tW2acbSusMCMNqZOd77F2ygdDY9Fi4uauPHbpRFSQf5053pUMjxMpA2jQpMvrts15bSfrsjkJ2v9ZmT3ydf-rGgMbM-9gPoF/s400/IMG_0698+Danae+%2526+Niki.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danae was very shy, but was a sweetheart!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-_F7adifARFkAiAQ9inqbiFmpHXaV1lPvHiKF6S2ZvIHrIlr7mbqB1GCz4KLaUFjN2EW5xYzNggAeci2Y36Fnbmu2zVVZD_ZrbZjgz7SrIT83qukH5dOV6mBVWTF5thAlMK7VVioJgxQ/s1600/IMG_0692+Iridonas+Jiannis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-_F7adifARFkAiAQ9inqbiFmpHXaV1lPvHiKF6S2ZvIHrIlr7mbqB1GCz4KLaUFjN2EW5xYzNggAeci2Y36Fnbmu2zVVZD_ZrbZjgz7SrIT83qukH5dOV6mBVWTF5thAlMK7VVioJgxQ/s400/IMG_0692+Iridonas+Jiannis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jiannis on the other had came right up to us and even allowed me to pick him up<br />
and hold him! He reminded me of my Tully Bear. <br />
Jiannis sat right in my lap and was ready to eat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RoA2frpZKTl3nteBMsUeQUwEQ5lFeduYIxcfYoz8OaeGfHN8zgTH_em-RBZ8Iv-Mz640f0vK8Tf2Q-XlRPZirVJMoJEWNLgwhG4MjWcpqoyKenH3_uYWqT6V3ThZSQQfIjJoauhC-kXA/s1600/IMG_0693+Iridonas+Niki+son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RoA2frpZKTl3nteBMsUeQUwEQ5lFeduYIxcfYoz8OaeGfHN8zgTH_em-RBZ8Iv-Mz640f0vK8Tf2Q-XlRPZirVJMoJEWNLgwhG4MjWcpqoyKenH3_uYWqT6V3ThZSQQfIjJoauhC-kXA/s400/IMG_0693+Iridonas+Niki+son.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He came back for more several times. He just stole my heart!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgijUibxCbzsBIqM95Xzj8poyqzxd90K5T3jVwUsxCqWzHF_-wuo5jR-RguCaanAGt96SpiXhpZ5m3IiDEN07OXy7PCJV-xSSMUgy0UMkOq7c3i-xf4ngBykDiBv7-wQA_xYjnyWnj3gE/s1600/IMG_0696+Iridonas+Niki+son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgijUibxCbzsBIqM95Xzj8poyqzxd90K5T3jVwUsxCqWzHF_-wuo5jR-RguCaanAGt96SpiXhpZ5m3IiDEN07OXy7PCJV-xSSMUgy0UMkOq7c3i-xf4ngBykDiBv7-wQA_xYjnyWnj3gE/s640/IMG_0696+Iridonas+Niki+son.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite picture!! Jiannis came up to Dennis and wanted him to pick him up...<br />
I love this pic! And PawPaw Dennis knew just what to do!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Before leaving, Stella assisted us and checked to see if our
luggage had been found… no such luck!
She also gave us some information on the monasteries and how to find
them. We were headed to the Grand Meteoron, but she gave us information for
several other monasteries that were in the area. They were
all located on the way to the Grand Meteoron.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went back to the room, packed up, and I did a quick blog, then
we were on our way!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are ever in Kalambaka, Greece – I recommend you stay
at the Iridonas Guesthouse! Thank
you Niki for everything and for sharing your sweet children with us. We love this part of our travel-- meeting people and making new friends!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/holy-monastery-of-saint-stephen-meteora.html">Holy Monastery of Saint Stephen</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-12936598122086980612012-07-04T17:44:00.002-05:002012-07-04T20:47:27.484-05:00Meeting Our New Greek Friends...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
July 1, 2012</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greece/Turkey</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUZlGKHZcYkwUGiKe4MXzTUAfMaXxZgUGchq_5CA1erwiBsZGzsMa-DQ611QM9rbsohM0uLtcApK_Iqfwp5SEaaMTIpodWEsJDsZCs6nb-xK8Rbce-5qoUd6nHu8BSqmYcLp9_C0uIUKj/s1600/IMG_0688+George+Famiy:Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUZlGKHZcYkwUGiKe4MXzTUAfMaXxZgUGchq_5CA1erwiBsZGzsMa-DQ611QM9rbsohM0uLtcApK_Iqfwp5SEaaMTIpodWEsJDsZCs6nb-xK8Rbce-5qoUd6nHu8BSqmYcLp9_C0uIUKj/s400/IMG_0688+George+Famiy:Me.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George, Vivi, Me, and Thomas at Iridonas Guesthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Thankfully the family did stop when we got to the guesthouse and all
three got out of the car, which gave us the opportunity to thank them again. Niki, the guesthouse owner, came out to
greet us and open the gate for us to come in and park our car. We were all visiting and Niki explained
that Iridonas Guesthouse has only been there 3 years and that the town has not
given her an address yet. So, now
I know why there is no address on the website!! Amazing!!! … Iridonas looks awesome!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a short visit with the family and Niki about where we
were from and where we had just driven in from and where we were headed
tomorrow. The family had been
visiting with their Mother here in Kalambaka. They were so kind and offered that we stop by their house
for tea or such as we drove back to Athens tomorrow. They lived in Trikala,
which is a town that we drive through.
They told us there were many good restaurants in Trikala. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We exchanged names, addresses, and telephone numbers… and
the son, Thomas, had Facebook, so we were thrilled that we could have
communication in the future.
Thomas had very good English and his parents George and Vivi could speak
some but Thomas was a great translator for them and for us!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had our story of the “lost luggage”, but that our trip
has gone on and we are having so much fun!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l3Gd6VlPwgO6APcAzY4iDcay8DMnWDKHubaulYeAmPL_8J7ep_FTj2raxfP01w0IqvRDuf8Yc1KD9g8ZBsFRmLR_nCqney06mfZ7PoKO3fIRM9ivN3mIc04jQg6Idm8pAoxOiT9pZGJc/s1600/IMG_0687+George+DT+Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4l3Gd6VlPwgO6APcAzY4iDcay8DMnWDKHubaulYeAmPL_8J7ep_FTj2raxfP01w0IqvRDuf8Yc1KD9g8ZBsFRmLR_nCqney06mfZ7PoKO3fIRM9ivN3mIc04jQg6Idm8pAoxOiT9pZGJc/s400/IMG_0687+George+DT+Thomas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George, Thomas and Dennis<br />
What a blessing for us to meet such a nice family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The family went on their way and Niki was very kind and we
got settled into the guesthouse for the evening. We did our laundry and had everything washed and drying. The guesthouse provided slippers and
robe, which was very nice because we had good Internet for the laptop and was
able to Skype with Ashley, John, and see our sweet Tully Bear! …I’m sure they
were glad we had a robe on!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Skype is awesome; it was a nice ending for our day! Dennis went to bed and I begin to
blog and finally got some things posted!
Late night for me… or I should say “an early morning!” I really have no idea what time zone I
am on or in, my bedtime is so random!<br />
<br />
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/iridonas-guesthouse-in-kalamaka-greece.html">Iridonas Guesthouse</a><br />
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-25956241765997109612012-07-04T17:32:00.003-05:002012-07-04T20:46:02.642-05:00Our Honey Bee Men...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
June 30, 2012</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greece/Turkey</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was getting late and we still had at least a 4-hour drive
ahead to Kalambaka, which is where we were spending the night at Iridonas
Guesthouse. I had a Google map
printed, our guesthouse confirmation, and our GPS so we were off again. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim60n4hHNp-uHrN-sJTsq5yej1DC8Bku6_XoM28TkuJAJlN8WYSAT9BU9F7NEuHsYKsfxLPuD0EGfbRxLMk5SLH9ZRZmdw3dc_AKSwGYMLyZxnSIhOPBjsyjStyIRVdE2zeGiP8OikcHH7/s1600/IMG_0387+Aqua+Duct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim60n4hHNp-uHrN-sJTsq5yej1DC8Bku6_XoM28TkuJAJlN8WYSAT9BU9F7NEuHsYKsfxLPuD0EGfbRxLMk5SLH9ZRZmdw3dc_AKSwGYMLyZxnSIhOPBjsyjStyIRVdE2zeGiP8OikcHH7/s400/IMG_0387+Aqua+Duct.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aqua Duct</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We saw this aqua duct along the way and it traveled down the mountain for a
long ways. Stopping for a quick
picture and then on the road again!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our GPS told us to take a right, which was off on a dirt road;
or rather it looked like a dirt trail…. I would not call it a road. While discussing what to do, we see a
truck turn onto the dirt road, so we thought well maybe this “IS” the
road. The truck pulled up and then
stopped at a large row of beehives off to our left, so of course we stopped to
ask them directions for Meteora. Telling
them our GPS was directing us down this road. They laughed and said “not” this road, but rather stay on
the main road… and then said, “it is a long drive.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dennis then asked them if they were here to check their
beehives and they said yes! Dennis
commented, “you have a lot of hives.”
I also told them my grandfather used to have bees. He told us he had 85 hives and told us to hold
on, so we waited. There were three
of them and one of them walked to a hive and pulled out a honeycomb and brought
it to us in the car and told us to try it. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRpSr-wD3LBMRuCzI-W_6I0rFXPkZcPaadrK98Da2wdTgNCIa_cygUXJ2whyphenhyphenPS4Ji5jU0_FqwEMLnwc0YR4mNmOv8M0JsEohXUaUs0FX17m62Olf8DO4YY16NORwIBvnWHGIZcu3nx0MN/s1600/IMG_0394+Taste+of+Honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRpSr-wD3LBMRuCzI-W_6I0rFXPkZcPaadrK98Da2wdTgNCIa_cygUXJ2whyphenhyphenPS4Ji5jU0_FqwEMLnwc0YR4mNmOv8M0JsEohXUaUs0FX17m62Olf8DO4YY16NORwIBvnWHGIZcu3nx0MN/s400/IMG_0394+Taste+of+Honey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We both dipped our fingers into the full comb and tasted the sweet honey!<br />
It was delicious... in fact, we had to dip a couple times :-D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously, this was now an opportunity for a picture! We got out of the car and I wanted to
have the beehives in the picture with all three of the guys. One guy walked over and took out a
second honeycomb; and then stood behind one of the hives. Some of the bees were
flying around, but he said not to worry.
I was getting ready to take the picture when DT very calmly said, “one
of them is stinging me right now.” It was apparent his foot was just a little too
close to the entrance of the hive.
They all stepped away and DT had about a dozen bees all over his shirt
and pants. Clearing the bees off,
they moved up and stood in front of another hive.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbROmK-LKV-NB8KXjZNaXD14VbyEwAn3-l1VAQHFiUCC4s9jp1qsrvXqTGDyhLoLn548imfjI2YVOLiRz4rS-OqRUMMpvGYTF48gt92t9cVViSGhZXWDurddw3KrUi0BMZlt3wv1YWz3OW/s1600/IMG_0393+Bee+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbROmK-LKV-NB8KXjZNaXD14VbyEwAn3-l1VAQHFiUCC4s9jp1qsrvXqTGDyhLoLn548imfjI2YVOLiRz4rS-OqRUMMpvGYTF48gt92t9cVViSGhZXWDurddw3KrUi0BMZlt3wv1YWz3OW/s400/IMG_0393+Bee+Man.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Bee Keeper Friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We are finding that the people of Greece are really nice! DT then took a picture of me with our
newly found friends and while he was trying to take the picture, he realized
that one of the bees had gotten up his pant leg and was crawling around on his
leg… but, he did manage to squish him before it had the chance to sting. …poor bee<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"> :-(</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQV16xTbQdi7MqQkILSIKwJPGVhIxHDzS7SZ8TNh2EmTx2ztzdnYbz1Js4kfRPqXzmXSisHJrQSL6C9MEi2jlh400SmpIJnJb2-j25qAy2n0B60GLQIHX_KVI7c6xJVGVxIBmutJcA6fB/s1600/IMG_0395+Bee+Sting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQV16xTbQdi7MqQkILSIKwJPGVhIxHDzS7SZ8TNh2EmTx2ztzdnYbz1Js4kfRPqXzmXSisHJrQSL6C9MEi2jlh400SmpIJnJb2-j25qAy2n0B60GLQIHX_KVI7c6xJVGVxIBmutJcA6fB/s400/IMG_0395+Bee+Sting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinger in Dennis' foot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">Here is a close-up of the bee stinger still in his foot… within
5 minutes his foot became very swollen.
He said it did not hurt though.
The guy had scraped the stinger out of his foot and explained why not to
just pull it out… okay, whatever it takes. He did ask if DT was allergic to bees, which we did not
think he was, but he did react to the sting and his foot was swollen up pretty big, pretty quick. (Note all is better by the time I actually type this blog
and the swelling is gone.) Of
course I have sting medicine, but it was in the lost luggage! Okay on our way again!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXNCj3cMlhtKb0T-2yeN4JIY21VLnDgePpusCkUKlUz2HgNo33vdWnyFtKtxdeLoFW8U2pFM86VWD4B7yrmqEqQqVHNyOiNsoZpG_fnn-TavbcRzVQ9tn7JFUMIAlcnIK8losZQjalCp4/s1600/IMG_0673+Mrs+GPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXNCj3cMlhtKb0T-2yeN4JIY21VLnDgePpusCkUKlUz2HgNo33vdWnyFtKtxdeLoFW8U2pFM86VWD4B7yrmqEqQqVHNyOiNsoZpG_fnn-TavbcRzVQ9tn7JFUMIAlcnIK8losZQjalCp4/s400/IMG_0673+Mrs+GPS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We continued our way though the winding mountains <br />
and there were a lot of cut backs. <br />
It wasn't too bad, but driving in the dark made it more difficult.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBdycemjn38RCTOvVXlTjQqy0hO_bpJhxvrg0Ju41-YpEcrleo4VrdosmJx3mQdqJLKedjipYJqlAGlijBnm8lmmXXMDEj0d5hdNU8TkIuudGNhWx-ZM4RKKf75gM2a77XYvHM0hPiBGF/s1600/IMG_0682+Cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBdycemjn38RCTOvVXlTjQqy0hO_bpJhxvrg0Ju41-YpEcrleo4VrdosmJx3mQdqJLKedjipYJqlAGlijBnm8lmmXXMDEj0d5hdNU8TkIuudGNhWx-ZM4RKKf75gM2a77XYvHM0hPiBGF/s400/IMG_0682+Cows.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching out for cows on free ranged added to the challenge.<br />
We waited for this guy to move off the road!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We did finally arrive in Kalambaka looking for our guesthouse. We followed the Google directions to
the tee, including the last U turn it told us to make and go 51 seconds! …but
no guesthouse was in sight… you have got to love “Google”! By now it is midnight! We see a man leaning over in the trunk
of his car and I told Dennis to ask him where Iridonas Guesthouse might
be. The gentleman had not heard of it. He did not actually live there, but was
visiting family. He was very nice
and offered to call them for us, but we did not have a phone number NOR did we have an actual address for the place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that does not sound like me at all!!!! I am always very organized on our
trips. But to explain, I booked
this place last minute changing our itinerary up a bit. I remember booking it
on-line and not finding the address on the website. I meant to ask them for the address in our email
conversations, but forgot to do that.
It was strange that I could enter the name of the guesthouse in Google
and get a map though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So on with the man who was helping us, now knowing the name
of the guesthouse he proceeded
across the street to the family home to inquire where this guesthouse might
be. Keeping in mind this whole
conversation, we speak no Greek and he spoke little English. Never-the-less, we communicated and he
was very kind to assist us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He did come back and his son and wife was with him at this
time. His son did speak English
and told us to follow him! Now, we
were thrilled with the assistance… what more could we ask. We followed and drove up the road just
a short distance, made a left and the guesthouse was on our right. We were close, but we would have never found it with the map I had. We were so appreciative of the help!<br />
<br />
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/meeting-goour-new-greek-friends.html">Meeting Our New Greek Friends</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-53230338426985167932012-07-03T13:57:00.003-05:002012-07-04T20:44:10.272-05:00We eventually make it to Delphi...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
June 30, 2012<br />
Greece/Turkey<br />
<br />
We usually don't get in any hurry as we travel from one place to the next and we just stop along the way to take pictures and do what we want. Remember we started with a 6.5-hr drive to Kalambaka (which is almost to Meteora)... and getting to Delphi is only 2 hours of the whole drive done!!! We didn't leave Athens until maybe 4 pm and I was thinking at that time it was only 4 hours for our drive that day... but all is good and we do arrive Delphi.<br />
<br />
Scenery along the way is beautiful...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2x9u_Y_TNmBWK2FxTOOwURHoPexFjmaB8oSGWgKyX1H_xJ_9dR8PbLBbzHo4kEZ79CA9IgMnOYqD6EypcACF1vwSpcBhJHftBS3L_InN8zfcFQN2muMH2MM3eZ7SPxFYV_1ptJIGu0oM/s1600/IMG_0320+Flowers+on+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2x9u_Y_TNmBWK2FxTOOwURHoPexFjmaB8oSGWgKyX1H_xJ_9dR8PbLBbzHo4kEZ79CA9IgMnOYqD6EypcACF1vwSpcBhJHftBS3L_InN8zfcFQN2muMH2MM3eZ7SPxFYV_1ptJIGu0oM/s400/IMG_0320+Flowers+on+road.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know how I love my gardening! I could only wish to have this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBGrz8mvReMN4KZ0kbeyki19SN7PO5wAc-TDl6M5-VI5PejBz8-DW30-PWCXpYrCwVimUN-QjXZe7psVcvjE5l4EToPH36rxEf2OWjshqS0jsy3OrzMOK0ejUjtf-A4YPlALwFDbw5GPm/s1600/IMG_0323+Greenhouses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBGrz8mvReMN4KZ0kbeyki19SN7PO5wAc-TDl6M5-VI5PejBz8-DW30-PWCXpYrCwVimUN-QjXZe7psVcvjE5l4EToPH36rxEf2OWjshqS0jsy3OrzMOK0ejUjtf-A4YPlALwFDbw5GPm/s400/IMG_0323+Greenhouses.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw some greenhouses along the way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZpTdWFFDnNfxnPpnEhouWvqNIXEvpruDTVN4fsIsBpf5-yEIPQXpAxfAgoUwuTz7K4Gp8G80OkoQorjlJLew7fnXopBVOXKhuhSvJ1BlyxllkBT-vmtB-l0s3KARhgaN6ounfUFU8Zdi/s1600/IMG_0325+Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZpTdWFFDnNfxnPpnEhouWvqNIXEvpruDTVN4fsIsBpf5-yEIPQXpAxfAgoUwuTz7K4Gp8G80OkoQorjlJLew7fnXopBVOXKhuhSvJ1BlyxllkBT-vmtB-l0s3KARhgaN6ounfUFU8Zdi/s640/IMG_0325+Mountain.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We drove along these sheer mountain bluffs for few hours getting to Delphi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4ms1SOG4l_crTh-p3HuTnHdog2fZtPdCPK-8W-yGYLiUGOOkQ-eowZcmym2wQIgDu7aOZEaNsYHmpIA5HJXYHAn074yvYLbmOHvJZeG7Jo0OMVtP3s-YbC1LM-UJ81FA9tl-TwCMy7SX/s1600/IMG_0327+Mosque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4ms1SOG4l_crTh-p3HuTnHdog2fZtPdCPK-8W-yGYLiUGOOkQ-eowZcmym2wQIgDu7aOZEaNsYHmpIA5HJXYHAn074yvYLbmOHvJZeG7Jo0OMVtP3s-YbC1LM-UJ81FA9tl-TwCMy7SX/s640/IMG_0327+Mosque.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this small Mosque along the way<br />
... and here is our little Mercedes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLDMlvg9g4I6GPimqkhl5hr362Aorwnc3qnVKipatWS1BBvH8KlDEUDcsxhaBe12ASZivo6F6-scpeoQwDScN22wH4kpCyesZ5moEBuqKHNdvGeqHyyfFWPowCTCY1huObvwiAXZ3xaSm/s1600/IMG_0333+Arachova.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLDMlvg9g4I6GPimqkhl5hr362Aorwnc3qnVKipatWS1BBvH8KlDEUDcsxhaBe12ASZivo6F6-scpeoQwDScN22wH4kpCyesZ5moEBuqKHNdvGeqHyyfFWPowCTCY1huObvwiAXZ3xaSm/s400/IMG_0333+Arachova.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely small town... I think this was Arachova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzak01XI-f5ikTMytqBmRa9V5BqRYXWniQYWSlOuL2lR8twa2a-J6Xi72jX4mRPtJxLS5ObzIXclol3un6U3Cts9LgJ4s89igreKN7Wtoc3rU_YFk6sBru08NcUBMiZ8lVluUlfblC_Vz/s1600/IMG_0337+Delphi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzak01XI-f5ikTMytqBmRa9V5BqRYXWniQYWSlOuL2lR8twa2a-J6Xi72jX4mRPtJxLS5ObzIXclol3un6U3Cts9LgJ4s89igreKN7Wtoc3rU_YFk6sBru08NcUBMiZ8lVluUlfblC_Vz/s400/IMG_0337+Delphi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving Delphi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We visited with a lady that was from California. She was touring with her son who was in college and they were on a 2-week tour through France, England, and Greece. She was very helpful and told us where the ruins were and about the valley of olive trees.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QHZnyG0jqOS7CCPjCpUN75agKcYOv7puJ0Yud87iagzkInHYlzYTj9hTdYmRv808EJbGsq_7P-V5nXMfABYkKd2Vzg9eUM955M2fDuHqpFUuk4VLsG01IJ8rJKjdiW-gDd0yybLBpMH9/s1600/IMG_0336+Delphi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QHZnyG0jqOS7CCPjCpUN75agKcYOv7puJ0Yud87iagzkInHYlzYTj9hTdYmRv808EJbGsq_7P-V5nXMfABYkKd2Vzg9eUM955M2fDuHqpFUuk4VLsG01IJ8rJKjdiW-gDd0yybLBpMH9/s640/IMG_0336+Delphi.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Housing on the mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYJBQpHGJyu2_mXxWEHeKvqFXYd4i3IoItig9Cr_HERlYf_3s5qOVgQ_VUYJwd4yyLemDT5WuElXdPD9a7Jytg9-De1rJM3HdI6VYTjH_BOAx9rlhCBt5FltEzfdDWNRIRq_ikuDAXqwu/s1600/IMG_0338+Delphi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYJBQpHGJyu2_mXxWEHeKvqFXYd4i3IoItig9Cr_HERlYf_3s5qOVgQ_VUYJwd4yyLemDT5WuElXdPD9a7Jytg9-De1rJM3HdI6VYTjH_BOAx9rlhCBt5FltEzfdDWNRIRq_ikuDAXqwu/s640/IMG_0338+Delphi.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't asked yet as to what these beautiful flower bushes are.<br />
They are every where and they are beautiful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMO6qaaWui5UY1Dd6bY32M_Rhk7BD_0jy5yVpwJDDA00nzwJXVJXQB9rflDK8LsEPp4epakhsnnyT7ZKVybm5eM76f9jTmfYPtP4SeyQrc4tIyRvLYGoMK_XObKHOo1MslyNy8oiPmAuy/s1600/IMG_0347+Delphi+Valley+Olive+Trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMO6qaaWui5UY1Dd6bY32M_Rhk7BD_0jy5yVpwJDDA00nzwJXVJXQB9rflDK8LsEPp4epakhsnnyT7ZKVybm5eM76f9jTmfYPtP4SeyQrc4tIyRvLYGoMK_XObKHOo1MslyNy8oiPmAuy/s400/IMG_0347+Delphi+Valley+Olive+Trees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is known as the valley of olive trees, <br />
it goes on for about as far as you can see both directions!<br />
I bet this is something to see when they are doing harvest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLyqALFPk_zpuGdku7SB0Xubo_fLHKJUSroVqyHGWvLGfrzSMihoqThf6hcBUYXGyqzynNKt4h1h4aNR0-tJZZwUjyem6BNiYCtgxjdJHnq3wCOVHrvGD8whT6rn9l72VoewupU4t7M3O/s1600/IMG_0353+Delphi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLyqALFPk_zpuGdku7SB0Xubo_fLHKJUSroVqyHGWvLGfrzSMihoqThf6hcBUYXGyqzynNKt4h1h4aNR0-tJZZwUjyem6BNiYCtgxjdJHnq3wCOVHrvGD8whT6rn9l72VoewupU4t7M3O/s320/IMG_0353+Delphi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I read where Delphi ruins are the next most popular ruins<br />
to the Acropolis in Athens Greece </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DgSF-iOtEZ6atOADsgMLn-vn7MURADOaB3LHHV15fT5Lq6QRbiwX0G83Z8GxBejTO4-zhsCjDEVbQJPaSqTRuZC8WBs3u750QLdPgeWVS-sfQf1fVHN0DurYFrZdBPxFPXdYlQRCtijr/s1600/IMG_0375+Delphi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DgSF-iOtEZ6atOADsgMLn-vn7MURADOaB3LHHV15fT5Lq6QRbiwX0G83Z8GxBejTO4-zhsCjDEVbQJPaSqTRuZC8WBs3u750QLdPgeWVS-sfQf1fVHN0DurYFrZdBPxFPXdYlQRCtijr/s400/IMG_0375+Delphi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of above pic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdDWdZ85nOjBepNyO5Y7NylDOa53uB9pqRVszXzUE4Iq4hUNVNUwuOGwFi7QtzvU1HBFeCFRbvfUFS9_-QN1fXm7pUgrlLRwiMpcln79Oaa_IuN-JeAG0pOuFrrO0drNcv0KdYpGq2wsf/s1600/IMG_0376+Delphi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdDWdZ85nOjBepNyO5Y7NylDOa53uB9pqRVszXzUE4Iq4hUNVNUwuOGwFi7QtzvU1HBFeCFRbvfUFS9_-QN1fXm7pUgrlLRwiMpcln79Oaa_IuN-JeAG0pOuFrrO0drNcv0KdYpGq2wsf/s400/IMG_0376+Delphi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, another close up of above pic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfg43w7DkI4LAsdQ5TVAeZLyEww6cyrGci1nfKu1DCt5LuOgdRxUskQijdeCyTmZmcmbk2XHnKAOXQC232lFFEhamA4TvN-8yKBERiV_Ult4SCCT7d2MQdnwg0l-wu6Q0bCCLV_oyY9eq/s1600/IMG_0372+Delphi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfg43w7DkI4LAsdQ5TVAeZLyEww6cyrGci1nfKu1DCt5LuOgdRxUskQijdeCyTmZmcmbk2XHnKAOXQC232lFFEhamA4TvN-8yKBERiV_Ult4SCCT7d2MQdnwg0l-wu6Q0bCCLV_oyY9eq/s400/IMG_0372+Delphi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More ruins in Delphi, Greece<br />
These particular ruins have a museum with them, but again, it was closed,<br />
so we looked from a distance. I'm sure there was more to see, but all was amazing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB1xSn8dSkT9IGzpnZ9NDV-KLbE-XjALiCTkomD9hS6By5L8k36mq15hDt5LnyYEivlchajKR1Njh1MWK8miyN2B0g2IdFou0M1oYWOvEvUX9OT0Q4wfwp0eUM-oxzEdaGYLnBpIWoOza/s1600/IMG_0354+Religious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB1xSn8dSkT9IGzpnZ9NDV-KLbE-XjALiCTkomD9hS6By5L8k36mq15hDt5LnyYEivlchajKR1Njh1MWK8miyN2B0g2IdFou0M1oYWOvEvUX9OT0Q4wfwp0eUM-oxzEdaGYLnBpIWoOza/s640/IMG_0354+Religious.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found these all along the mountain roads.<br />
I'm sure they are something to do with religion.<br />
They each held a candle and other religious documents.<br />
I have no idea who keeps the candles in them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am attaching a link from <a href="http://www.greecetravel.com/delphi/">Matt Barrett's Travel Guide</a>. He is quite more knowledgeable than me on the Delphi ruins, but I really am glad that we made the stop. It was getting late and we still had 4.5 hour to drive, of which some was going to be in the dark through the mountains... so on our way!<br />
<br />
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/our-honey-bee-men.html">Our Honey Bee Men</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3069492501730713701.post-6354982130723848372012-07-03T11:01:00.004-05:002012-07-04T20:42:59.094-05:00Our Friendly Goat Herder...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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June 30, 2012<br />
Greece/Turkey<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IvmUQOSFcLoLDQHijVaReOWzuljvbFl5EP0IAwjmJG1Su-4Ga0Uwya7HSCpsXeTTRMqq3ATzyi8URTPy6C7KMir2xrNlhF2ygefp4ZZvnaA8cqvUarqwuQjGOMUHd_km_qZJ-G6wbZtM/s1600/IMG_0302+Goat+Herder-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IvmUQOSFcLoLDQHijVaReOWzuljvbFl5EP0IAwjmJG1Su-4Ga0Uwya7HSCpsXeTTRMqq3ATzyi8URTPy6C7KMir2xrNlhF2ygefp4ZZvnaA8cqvUarqwuQjGOMUHd_km_qZJ-G6wbZtM/s400/IMG_0302+Goat+Herder-1.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">I loved this little guy!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">For those of you who really know me or us, you know we usually leave the big tourist cities and head to the villages. We love to meet people, visit, and just see how they live. We had even gotten off the main road thinking we saw a sign for some ruins of some sort... while we never saw the ruins--or maybe it was the area on the side of the hill I thought was the tiered rock housing... I don't know, but getting off the beaten path is what we enjoy most.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #783f04; color: white;">We were driving along and came upon this herd of goats crossing the road...</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2_1SjnNzv3DNwwkkfTYsr9dA5MU692AzM27Pz2uYyloEi2gXwUT5ExjmU50CJ7EDqtv_TeZ6GkSj-Ui3oN2TdjxgEYhXOUtXqv6tOnQHG9MAzulCL3CKDA5y8RWgD1qJJ-mVDGdnMbf5/s1600/IMG_0278+Goats+on+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2_1SjnNzv3DNwwkkfTYsr9dA5MU692AzM27Pz2uYyloEi2gXwUT5ExjmU50CJ7EDqtv_TeZ6GkSj-Ui3oN2TdjxgEYhXOUtXqv6tOnQHG9MAzulCL3CKDA5y8RWgD1qJJ-mVDGdnMbf5/s400/IMG_0278+Goats+on+Road.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Many goats...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFBSZdGxStlnTqUgW4Yiesuer2cpmE21-bhyphenhyphen88U112zVy3qbRUFf6QMXQ8Bi4wJzGQSjx7uS7913AFEuGTlK16EIhPk4CBNY203GCefkedAJ1gvMSN12-3A_rygeXiIxybwonlb4lddyG/s1600/IMG_0282+Goat%253ATree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFBSZdGxStlnTqUgW4Yiesuer2cpmE21-bhyphenhyphen88U112zVy3qbRUFf6QMXQ8Bi4wJzGQSjx7uS7913AFEuGTlK16EIhPk4CBNY203GCefkedAJ1gvMSN12-3A_rygeXiIxybwonlb4lddyG/s400/IMG_0282+Goat%253ATree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Big had to stop and try to climb the tree to eat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYW194wddTpWxStsm5-mB6YwLvfcwJBhIJdz5OGnDrofamrzepSpNNYINFvJOuSvxIrEgTWimImPeJm4bSSlraaZpm-dWQU8G5lyagjB9NWbCYjD2aahgpd-AhNO9RPWcHrozADo59ga_X/s1600/IMG_0283+Goats+Different.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYW194wddTpWxStsm5-mB6YwLvfcwJBhIJdz5OGnDrofamrzepSpNNYINFvJOuSvxIrEgTWimImPeJm4bSSlraaZpm-dWQU8G5lyagjB9NWbCYjD2aahgpd-AhNO9RPWcHrozADo59ga_X/s400/IMG_0283+Goats+Different.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was such a variety of coloring<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_BA3PSI_XNSqE6vZ_1v57TheC1Et_um3A-_sL0z0OMLYCwtANn6hbVc9CrhEZJ6GOh6Vi0gudyyOhbupdHLIw2YHZqt48CPDc2ptg3we4tR09pdNq4Oyi3JcZz6Yt1OQ_rUq2umsXDJL/s1600/IMG_0286+Goat+Herder-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_BA3PSI_XNSqE6vZ_1v57TheC1Et_um3A-_sL0z0OMLYCwtANn6hbVc9CrhEZJ6GOh6Vi0gudyyOhbupdHLIw2YHZqt48CPDc2ptg3we4tR09pdNq4Oyi3JcZz6Yt1OQ_rUq2umsXDJL/s400/IMG_0286+Goat+Herder-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then came along the little Greek Goat herder on his donkey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qaczoHMX08royJWYs17u9ihY3zG3J74vw8NQf01qiwnFs4EzYux02J_lQxjq4t-XBwJDbKWrt9RVIRraX8VPpLPOZttVQAzHh-W-NHwTzAQlbLma6DSCLKiLGTBoyx7SGIn-q4qZCRGW/s1600/IMG_0287+Goat+Herder-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qaczoHMX08royJWYs17u9ihY3zG3J74vw8NQf01qiwnFs4EzYux02J_lQxjq4t-XBwJDbKWrt9RVIRraX8VPpLPOZttVQAzHh-W-NHwTzAQlbLma6DSCLKiLGTBoyx7SGIn-q4qZCRGW/s400/IMG_0287+Goat+Herder-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He saw us...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xr2w9LFANEhTkRVi6ktKvG0WBl5roOE_hjI0Pg7QtKLj8a5jrRIZR0ADBbCzV3nyRxmWYSjMvKXH4s0U3Qf2m2hqHRq4x4YD8d3UETnyvKkyfMIbe5VgOXdJpgH-49xEQlr1V21dj4rX/s1600/IMG_0288+Goat+Herder-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xr2w9LFANEhTkRVi6ktKvG0WBl5roOE_hjI0Pg7QtKLj8a5jrRIZR0ADBbCzV3nyRxmWYSjMvKXH4s0U3Qf2m2hqHRq4x4YD8d3UETnyvKkyfMIbe5VgOXdJpgH-49xEQlr1V21dj4rX/s400/IMG_0288+Goat+Herder-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and waved!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJSaF9y2MWz0dKg7UfX8svZMxuRqeW7jGwuQqAi0tNP-8FgBVd69yX5b34SC1LrDpEpXsN_K-XYN3KJlRR7E-dwWJ5lJ5wYP1whHkTCYWKxx6KTaX5Lhn_XjUv6ZBB-mzMTT_phsiYKrH/s1600/IMG_0289+Goat+Herder-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJSaF9y2MWz0dKg7UfX8svZMxuRqeW7jGwuQqAi0tNP-8FgBVd69yX5b34SC1LrDpEpXsN_K-XYN3KJlRR7E-dwWJ5lJ5wYP1whHkTCYWKxx6KTaX5Lhn_XjUv6ZBB-mzMTT_phsiYKrH/s400/IMG_0289+Goat+Herder-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was quite content with me taking his picture.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxkoD7hUbq3hUCCsN4xqSQpIrkZ9BPg0Gji5A_XsR0QjAekOgyEjJZLbdzBbufY8W1gewIRm8f6PfcKq9hdUAlwl6O1UskIuJUyERABeVMvAXjTa7uB6OskTSgj26pTKTuoQkxe3GSr2s/s1600/IMG_0290+Goat+Herder-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxkoD7hUbq3hUCCsN4xqSQpIrkZ9BPg0Gji5A_XsR0QjAekOgyEjJZLbdzBbufY8W1gewIRm8f6PfcKq9hdUAlwl6O1UskIuJUyERABeVMvAXjTa7uB6OskTSgj26pTKTuoQkxe3GSr2s/s640/IMG_0290+Goat+Herder-5.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this guy! I showed him the pictures and he motioned as if he was writing.<br />
So, I got a pen and paper and he began to write. <br />
I know he wanted me to mail him some pictures.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XU_gdV2FMDfav6Z3KsMTFkTGw_OOF59riSHIzSQGnS0qKdUxydWxh9FNfcwExy_z22zl-QSdWrsATqbeXuHeCJq9_k3yTokdbVbUSoowAwZsoTMTmOB0kSIPkXj9iKL9bTWdi8Aav36O/s1600/IMG_0295+Goat+Herder-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XU_gdV2FMDfav6Z3KsMTFkTGw_OOF59riSHIzSQGnS0qKdUxydWxh9FNfcwExy_z22zl-QSdWrsATqbeXuHeCJq9_k3yTokdbVbUSoowAwZsoTMTmOB0kSIPkXj9iKL9bTWdi8Aav36O/s640/IMG_0295+Goat+Herder-6.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He took his wallet out and used it as a table for a bit.</td></tr>
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But, when I took pictures the donkey began to walk away. I soon realized it was the click of the camera that he was not sure about. The little man walked to get the donkey and then used the wooden saddle to write on, but that must have not been working too well for him...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6hc-a78jmve2n-WGzmVW-UiTZ30o2dst3RT6-dKbEO2sDlgvEMm6tEaUV0vd2RgNaekxdpGyOMN6EeoO4fuVQdE8gpSgZUg0jw8P0CsM-sgKrL4N89l6jLcfs9fiVkL2P3PG72QIYTKl/s1600/IMG_0296+Goat+Herder-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6hc-a78jmve2n-WGzmVW-UiTZ30o2dst3RT6-dKbEO2sDlgvEMm6tEaUV0vd2RgNaekxdpGyOMN6EeoO4fuVQdE8gpSgZUg0jw8P0CsM-sgKrL4N89l6jLcfs9fiVkL2P3PG72QIYTKl/s400/IMG_0296+Goat+Herder-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwd-hLAV92BSk63xn0Hi_gy1vmXdD74qQ4V0z1_A2UeTNK3mmBFeOyT_ytUnRNUFKdA-c9HBGnbx6I6fgy17qyUliYpTA0mg5Lns0cyT2N0W0hyphenhyphenfSx5XqOyI3a3Ck520YFwtLfsub1apS/s1600/IMG_0299+Goat+Herder-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwd-hLAV92BSk63xn0Hi_gy1vmXdD74qQ4V0z1_A2UeTNK3mmBFeOyT_ytUnRNUFKdA-c9HBGnbx6I6fgy17qyUliYpTA0mg5Lns0cyT2N0W0hyphenhyphenfSx5XqOyI3a3Ck520YFwtLfsub1apS/s400/IMG_0299+Goat+Herder-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...because he kneeled down to write more.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqClisyx14WSt03JyPNGNA-UX5Fz99boUmTpkZdfzNmnnoyrqO2WicrGogIk02ii5bh8kXcH-baP2cYGPTwcFcEyXihGSEH7x-mAFfmtNQTy3tZa4d64FNG0-odKxK1PdWTPMTbDTIeyfj/s1600/IMG_0302+Goat+Herder+%2526+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqClisyx14WSt03JyPNGNA-UX5Fz99boUmTpkZdfzNmnnoyrqO2WicrGogIk02ii5bh8kXcH-baP2cYGPTwcFcEyXihGSEH7x-mAFfmtNQTy3tZa4d64FNG0-odKxK1PdWTPMTbDTIeyfj/s400/IMG_0302+Goat+Herder+%2526+Me.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I graciously thanked him for letting me take his picture<br />
and I know he did not speak a word of English<br />
nor did I speak Greek!<br />
But, I proceeded to tell him I would mail him some pictures...and I will.<br />
We were able to communicate his name was on the paper<br />
and I figured I would just find someone to help translate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismTCw39jy4AuAkp6HtVRAT2av9JcMCM2merG87WRvQryjiefT1gapPhFOoj3wNTD0NQ4KhBTvDvyXX3PzAdOKp5BwW_0seqaXhXygLiThyphenhyphenqIoAzfBuzM1AhORRc1FXo_sTzh-s11xJK9u/s1600/IMG_0297+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismTCw39jy4AuAkp6HtVRAT2av9JcMCM2merG87WRvQryjiefT1gapPhFOoj3wNTD0NQ4KhBTvDvyXX3PzAdOKp5BwW_0seqaXhXygLiThyphenhyphenqIoAzfBuzM1AhORRc1FXo_sTzh-s11xJK9u/s400/IMG_0297+Dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of his herding dogs.</td></tr>
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It was interesting to see this dog. As soon as we stopped the car the dog came over to the edge of the road where we were and he just laid down until we left.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK_VSzF8eM-yPjbcMqEKfm2xu6wBrf-MyDkE8aGNwg0QzZ9OI2xgS-yJbCc4-CkFd9NdaYtHSw2337_6xeVOQ4uSpb99RmVY4LVXEcTK5XZnxN9qXyIwKzKK3PvnaO3PWDyMGvULrj_0n/s1600/IMG_0305+Herder+Dogs+Donkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK_VSzF8eM-yPjbcMqEKfm2xu6wBrf-MyDkE8aGNwg0QzZ9OI2xgS-yJbCc4-CkFd9NdaYtHSw2337_6xeVOQ4uSpb99RmVY4LVXEcTK5XZnxN9qXyIwKzKK3PvnaO3PWDyMGvULrj_0n/s400/IMG_0305+Herder+Dogs+Donkey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we were driving away, he called his dogs and his donkey<br />
... and they all came to him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This may have very well been the highlight of our trip so far. I wanted to just hug him!<br />
<br />
Continued: <a href="http://talesfromthetulls.blogspot.gr/2012/07/we-eventually-make-it-to-delphi.html">We Eventually Make It To Delphi</a><br />
<br /></div>Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16685669002866691816noreply@blogger.com0