My tour of Greece - Here is some of what I am doing in preparation with "A little help from my friends"

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2005-11-15
5:38 AM

I Blinked and I'm Back

These past 10 days went like wildfire - but have to admit am very glad to be back home. "No Place Like Home". We are a lucky people here in the USA. We have so much that others have no idea of except when they see it on their TVs.
The country of Greece is a beautiful place and their people are very friendly.
I want to say I had a marvelous time and took many photos and I will post as I can - but I wanted to say thank you for everyone who posted in my journals for me as I traveled.
It was fun to get a comment from people who have become my friends here in fotkiland while I was in a country so far away.
I want to also thank Gary for encouraging me to start one. He is Mr. Travel to the "T" but I have no idea how he can find the time to keep it going so dilegently while traveling.
Thanks again to everyone who posted - it was a great fun thing to read.
Hugs from CT

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2005-11-10
11:31 AM

Its evening and I am in Delphi, Greece

Stopped at the internet for just a few moments and then its off to the rest of the town. We spent half the day at the Olympic Stadium and town and then drove the most beautiful route to Patras and across this unbelievable bridge that is brand new last year and now up the mountains to Delphi. We are on top of mountains - my view from the balcony will be great.
The sun has already set - going on 7 pm - but the drive up here along the mountain road looking down on the Mediterranean Sea with the bluest blue I've ever seen.
Hope all the pics come out.
Okay, enough here on the computer. Have places to go and people to see.
Yah soooooo!

Comments (7)

2005-11-09
10:29 AM

Sitting in Olympia

Hello everyone: I am in the town of Olympia -sitting in an internet cafe making the most of a half hour of time we get to stay before heading onto the hotel.
Today we saw the Lions Gate, the Beehive Tombs and more that I can think of at this moment.
Yesterday was such a full day and I just wish I had my written journal with me because with this music so loud its hard to think.
I walked across the Corinth Canal and thats amazing believe me - - then we were in Napthia - - georgeous town. The waterfront and the fortresses are great. I have been taking so many pictures that fotki won't have enough space for me to post them all.
The weather has been cooperating and we're lucky...the GODS are with us....
The hotels and foods are wonderful. It's very comfortable and I can't wait till I can go into further detail on everything.....It's just amazing.
Have to go...
I send hugs from Olympia, Greece to all of you.
Will be in touch again soon.

Miss all of ya
Hugs from me to you
Susi

Comments (6)

2005-11-07
2:26 PM

A few more words from Athens

Hello again guys:
Its after 9 pm here (7 hr difference from the east coast) and its beautiful. I did go up to the rooftop yesterday morning to take some shots of the Acropolis after I had breakfast. Then we toured the entire area for hours after that. What a view to look down over the city of Athens from up there.
Last night we had a dinner with custom dance arranged for us. I took pics you can be sure of.
I've actually had some already put to disc to keep safe but then again I've got tons more taken today (Monday).... Today we did a 3-island tour and the weather was unbelievable. Sunshine and calm seas...Bluest water I've ever seen and I don't mean green/blue...Deep blue!
I walked to the Parliament Bldg yesterday after the Parthenon to see the changing of the guards...the guys in the little white pleated skirts. Sundays are the only days they wear that uniform so I had to be there.
Poros, Hydrea and Aegina are gorgeous and I think I got some fabulous sunset shots over the water. Can't wait till I can unload them into the computer at home to share with all of you.
Putting them to disc is really a bit expensive so I probably won't be doing that too often.
Okay, its almost 9:30 and we're going to head out for some dinner and a walk. I can see the Parthenon (Acropolis) lit up from here. Beautiful but I really wouldn't want to walk the streets alone around here. A little different than what I expected. Dark little alley streets without much traffic.
Anyway, talk again in a few days...
Hugs from Athens, Greece

Comments (5)

2005-11-05
11:07 AM

Hey guys - I'm here

The flight was amazing - smooth - roomy - everyone had their own tvs for whichever movie you wanted to watch - delicous dinner and wine....Amazing...Olympic Airlines is fantastic.
Okay, my hotel is 10 minutes from the Parthenon - I can see it from the rooftop if they'll allow me up there. There is a rooftop restuarant but closed right now so I'm going to ask the frontdesk attendant if I might be allowed up there for a couple of shots.
My room is great also...actually its two rooms in one with large private bath with shower. I am downstairs in the computer room checking my mail and talking to each and everyone of you. The weather is nice....I went out for a walk awhile ago (after getting some rest) and picked up some ice-teas to keep in the room. I'm a bit surprised with the congestion of Athens. More than I expected.
Anyway, here's my first posting from Athens, Greece. I am going to have some fun - - - NOW I am excited.
We're having a meeting at 7:30 our time and then dinner afterwards. We get to meet everyone from this group. Tomorrow we go on the day-tour of Athens then we have a dinner setup for evening with dancing. Can't wait. Hope I get some good shots.
Talk at ya more later.
Hugs from ATHENS
Susi

Comments (8)

2005-11-01
7:45 PM

Now the excitement begins to build

I've got 72 hours before I leave...now I can start to get excited.
I never pack too soon or get excited too quickley...I booked the trip 5 weeks ago. That was enough time to make plans for everything.
Will post up until I leave...wish you guys were going with me.

Comments (5)

2005-10-23
9:59 AM

Let the Reading Begin

Bought two great books at Barnes & Noble yesterday and have begun to do some reading. Now I have to say, I am definately getting excited on the upcoming trip. Greece looks and sounds absolutely amazing.
The history of all the "Gods & Goddesses" wow - I think I'm going to have some fun, fun, fun!

Comments (13)

2005-10-20
9:33 AM

Saronic Gulf - Islands I will be visiting during my stay in Athens - These islands are a one-day tour by ferry.

Saronic Gulf (or Argosaronic) Gulf is set between Attica and Peloponnese and is the home for the Saronic Islands. Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and Salamina (or Salamis) are the main islands of the Saronic Gulf, with Aegina to be once a major rival to Athens, Salamina to be famous for its sea battles, Poros to be the island of Poseidon, Hydra and Spetses to play an important role during the war of independence.
Today these islands make a good holiday resort, with Aegina to be in 1985 the most visited island in Greece. Cosmopolitan Hydra (no cars are allowed here) has a spectacular waterfront and attracts many artists. Spetses is a relaxed pine island and Poros is a busy (especially in weekends) pretty, fertile island less than 400 meters away from Galatas town in Peloponnese. Angistri is a small island of pine woods and Salamina is just another suburb of Piraeus.

Comments (2)

2005-10-18
7:51 PM

Which book or books to read up on Greece before I leave

I knew what to look for when I traveled to Italy, France and the UK...I have to say I need help with this new adventure. I know of the Parthenon at the Acropolis - but thats about it.
Help me my friends.

Comments (8)

2005-10-17
12:56 AM

Some of my itinerary for the trip

I will be leaving from JFK on November 4th. and travel to Athens, Greece for 11 days. I hope to share with everyone a little bit here and there of my thoughts...and...I will try like heck to keep some organization here.
From Athens and seeing the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum, theres a Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch in the tour - oh yeah - and the first modern stadium built for the Olympic Games in 1896. I have two extra days in Athens to do some island hopping.
Then I will travel across the bridge of the Corinth Canal to stay in the city of Corinth. Tours include Lion Gate, Beehive Tombs and Treasury of Atreus. Oh, there's the Amphitheatre for the Sanctuary of Aesculapius...
On to Nauplia and then through the mountains of Arcadia en route to Olympia where the very first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C..I understand the Temples of Zeus and Hera are here too.
We then will board a ferry from Patras back to mainland Greece and drive to Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, home of the Oracle. Then onto a walking tour of the Sacred Way to the Sanctuary of Apollo.
We go over the Pourmaraki Pass to Lamia and onto Kalambaka.
We stay in Kalambaka and spend time visiting the monasteries of Meteora. I understand we visit two of these monasteries.
We then drive the coast to Thermopylae before we start the return trip to Athens.
I fly home from Athens back to JFK. I do hope to make sense of this trip as I post into the journal. I'll break it down as I go day by day. Hope to have your company with me as I travel. It's another European adventure for me.

Comments (7)

2005-10-16
9:44 PM

Suggestions for my camera equipment

If someone has some helpful hints for me, please let me know. I thought of taking the digital and the 35mm cameras but maybe thats too much to lug around.
All helpful comments are welcome. ;)

Comments (18)

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