After a fantastic week in Athens with a day trip to Delphi we’ve arrived in the breath taking island of Santorini/Thira. While our outstanding hotel here (The Sea Captain’s House in Oia) has wireless access on the deck this is the view so this is going to be a shorter entry than Athens deserves and there probably won’t be many (if any) updates this week.
Anyway, on to Athens where the views were also inspiring. The city is dominated by the Arcopolis which you can catch glimpses of from anywhere in town. Spotting the Parthenon while wandering the streets of the city is great fun and never failed to make us stop for a moment and contemplate the history and majesty of the place.
Of course the architecture is equally impressive close up.
While the Acropolis is definately the highlight, there is history around every corner. Here are just a few of a couple hundred shots we took as we wandered the city.
We took a side trip to Delphi the day before yesterday and the rugged beauty of the place combined with the well preserved architecture are a must see… Though George was disappointed that the Oracle waffled when he asked about a lady monkey in his future.
While the art and architecture are great what really sets Greece apart for me has been the people. Everywhere we’ve been the people have been helpful and friendly but the Greeks are in a class of their own. Just two examples to illustrate the point.
First after discovering that my current flip flops were rather blister inducing I set out to buy new sandals. We bought them from this fellow who’s father and fathers’ father were all sandal makers (his father is also a renowned greek poet). They adjusted them to fit my lopsided feet, added a strap and told us tales of the famous and everyday people who’ve come in to buy sandles there since the 1920’s.
The second example is Panos Plegas, a Greek ex-pat now living in Sweden who we met at the airport while wating for our flight to Santorini. Panos gave us lots of advice on what to see in Greece and when he left to catch his flight gave us a bottle of his family’s wine.
All in all we’ve had a fantastic experience in Greece so far and given the start we’re off to on Santorini we expect things to only get better…
Cheers,
Mark & Ali
P.S. Happy Mother’s day to all the Mom’s out there, particularly of course PEI Mom and Momma Betsie. And of course George adds Momma Nancy.
P.P.S. Happy Birthday wishes to Michelle and Kelli.
Hi Ali and Mark. Wow! What a beautiful place! Do you ever think you are in a dream? It’s hard to believe how old some things are - I guess we are all just breezing through - keep enjoying the sites. Thanks for the Mother’s Day wishes. I got to sleep in this morning and was brought breakfast in bed - it was yummy and peaceful. I was showered with homemade cards and gifts from school. We are going to pop down to Murray Harbour North for a visit and then up to Mike’s brothers for a lobster supper. It’s a raining day on PEI today but we had a beautiful week of sunny weather. I guess you are on the last leg of your trip - it’s been quite a journey. I am trying to zoom in a Mark’s left hand but it’s usually hidden. Looking forward to an official photo. Take care and talk to you soon. Love, Sara and gang.
Hi guys,
I too would like to thank you for the Mother’s Day wishes. Just like Sara, I received homemade cards and gifts along with some beautiful store bought gifts.
This is a very busy time of year for us and we don’t very often get a free moment to ourselves so I apologize if we have gotten lax in our replies to your beautiful pictures and wonderful commentary. This trip is something you two will remember and cherish forever. It has been absolutely awesome being able to “go along with you” via the internet. Isn’t technology marvelous?
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Trina
Hi Ali and Mark!
Thanks again for the wonderful Mother’s Day card that you both gave me before your departure. I beat Lisa to it this morning (which is not hard to do of course) by getting up around 5am. She had planned to have breakfast in bed for me, but I will now be getting dinner prepared and served.
I then went once again on a nostalgic trip for a few hours watching CBC and seeing the veterans day liberation parade in Holland, sadly in the pouring rain and hail, but the old soldiers were still real troopers.
We now also have a new War Museum in Ottawa which opened today so you won’t have to go to London anymore for that.
Lisa and I managed to drop a few loonies at Sheridan Nurseries and already planted some nice flowers; maybe early by 2 weeks but it looks nice. It was a beautiful, sunny day in T.O. with more to come for a few days.
As usual, I enjoyed your pictures and comments about Athens. Poor George…. no woman in sight for him? We’ll take him to the Toronto Zoo some day before he gets too old.
We wish you a VERY SPECIAL WEEK in Oia. We will be thinking of you while you enjoy the romantic scenes there and whatever else is in store.
I looked at some of the pictures of the Hotel you will be staying at - for sure you won’t be suffering!
All our love (from Dad too of course) who hopefully has a chance to go on a camel ride in 40C weather.
Hugs and kisses,
Mom
Hee George,
What’s up buddy? Can’t find a decent girl to have some fun with?
Next time your here we’ll have some more shots of whisky and I’ll take you out on the town, OK?
Cheers,
Boudewijn
Hi there,
Life isn’t all that bad when we look at your wonderful pictures……great views, great history, great country..
We’re sure your memories of Greece (and of course Santorini in particular) will be fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wishing you both all the best on your “future journey” together………!…….
Hugs… Wim & Harriet, Tim & Daan, Martijn & Suwit
Thanks for the birthday wishes! This is the best set of pictures I’ve seen yet, it’s absolutely gorgeous there, I wish I could join you! Glad to hear you’re still loving life and travelling safe. - xoxo Kelli
Interesting comment from the mother we share….hummm?. Selective memory on the waking up before whom front!!!!.
I will be heading up to Newmarket today to plant flowers, and pick out paint to prepare the house for my return!!. Jay says “Hi”and have a wonderful DAY!!!.
Hugs!
Have a great day ,We’re thinking of you today.Looking forward to seeing more pictures.
Love from Mary and Ian
Hi guys. Oh, what an exciting day for you both! We wish we could be there (eyes welling up)! Try and post at least one photo of your special event - I don’t think I can wait until summer. I just got off the phone with Grammie and she wanted me to send along best wishes from her and Grampie. They look forward to seeing you this summer. Enjoy your day and your new life as husband and wife. I can’t believe it’s finally happening! If you are getting married on the beach, try to get some momentos (sand, shells, etc.) from your special day. Also, a local paper is good to save too, so you know what was happening in the world the day you got married. Have fun. Love, Sara and gang
Enjoy your day! Lots of love being sent out from the “Jaw” for you two today and always.
Rebeca says, “Surfer Coach is now Uncle Surfer Coach”
Ali, Mark
Ten minutes to go, and I’m bawling like a baby. And I’m at work, too!!! I am very, very, very happy for you both, though it might be hard to tell by those who don’t know me. Have a wonderful day.
Love you both a big bunch and extremely proud of you too.
Mom
Hi to the official ‘couple’,
Hooray!!! The deed is done!
I was already choked up at 8:30am when you called Mark. So I was first in line with the tears. Sorry Mom PEI.
Congrats to you both. Enjoy the rest of the trip!
Love, Mom and (absent) Dad
Congratulations!!! I’m judging from the other posts that it is indeed official - YAHOO! We are so incredibly happy for you and can only imagine what a magical day it must have been. We’ll look forward to celebrating with you soon. Feel free to swing by on your trip home; we’ll take you to dinner
Love you both Jill and James
…Yipee! So happy for you both and cannot wait to hear all the details. Love to you both Michelle