Greece

Fresh fish ready for wrapping in Greek newspapers. A free shower sign sure to catch a sailor's eye. The caption here was only in Greek, but towards the end of this trip, we were convinced [...]

Hilltop view from Andreas Miaoulis' mansion in Hydra.The whole island is only 20 square miles.Andreas Miaoulis was an admiraland politician who commanded Greek naval forces during the Greekwar of independence against theOttoman Empire in 1821-1829.Greeks [...]

Waiting for a handout!Hiking around the island, we spied thesebright red bottlebrush blossoms. Not everyone gets a fish handout.  This seagull hadto work for his breakfast!All smiles after a full day's sail.Do you know this author? [...]

Sailing near Athens, we had big wakes from hugecontainer ships like this one.A graceful mermaid pauses for sunset on theisland of Poros.Being around the water makes everything morebeautiful.  We ate fresh octopus on the deck [...]

Our home away from home, sailing the Greek islands.Four little bedrooms, a kitchen (or "galley" in sailspeak).53 feet of sailing pleasure in our boat, Instant Zero.We rented it for a week as a bareboat charter,which [...]

Poster advertising May 1 protestsin Athens, a day of union solidaritythat could get ugly.  We werewarned to stay in our hotel.This group was protesting the EU restrictions onthe size of farmers markets, which would increasetaxation [...]

And the winner is Mike, by a nose! Athenians honoring an allied city following the Peleponnesian war by writing their contractual allegiance in stone.  The goddess Athena and and Hera are shaking hands on the [...]

The Acropolis is the supreme expression of the adaptationof architecture to a natural site.  Towering above a rockypromontory, it's visible from all angles in the city of Athens.Following a victory against the Persians and the [...]

These gray stones spin a tale of an elaborate urban center from 3,700 years ago, preserved under volcanic ash.  Found in 1860 during the construction of the Suez canal, only 3% has been excavated so far.  The inhabitants seemed to have had warning [...]

Windy and wonderful.  Sunset at Oia, Greece. Whitewashing literally seems to be an occupationhere in Greece, at least in Santorini.  A fresh coatwill not only camouflage problems, but reflects theever present sun.   So much better as [...]

Santorini is the remnant of a caldera from an enormous volcanic eruption in 1600 B.C. -(four times larger than Krakatoa).  You can see the circular pattern of the islands.Our lovely breakfast patio in Santorini, Greece.One of many mornings [...]