Observations, recollections, and occasional bursts of radical common sense about places that matter, books worth reading, roots music to nourish the soul, the times we live in, and whatever else tickles my fancy
NOTE: This is Part 2 of a two-part “Observations from . . .” post in which I capture scenes from our recent National Trust Tours trip to the Greek Isles and Ephesus. Click here for Part 1 with my thoughts on Meteora, Ephesus, Pátmos, and Rhodes.
Twenty-four hours in Athens
We arrived in Athens 24 hours before joining our fellow travelers, taking advantage of the time to get an overview tour, eat a wonderful dinner, see a small bit of the city, and begin to catch up on the sleep we’d lost on the flight.
The Parthenon at night, as seen from the rooftop of our Athens hotel
Exploring the Plaka historic district and surrounding neighborhoods of Athens on foot, with the Acropolis in the distance
Interior of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation, popularly known as the Metropolis or Mitropoli, the cathedral church of the Greek Orthodox Archbishopric of Athens and all of Greece
Exterior of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation
Parliament building early in the morning, before the foot traffic overwhelms the plaza
A small chapel set in the center of an intersection along Ermou Street
Legendary stories
Many of the places we saw along the way used archaeology to convey parts of their story. The island of Delos—the legendary birthplace of Artemis and Apollo and now uninhabited—is a major site that has been excavated for decades, with much more left to learn.
Delos
Columns in the Maison de Dionysus, Delos
The House of Cleopatra, Delos
Only a portion of the extensive excavations at Delos
The archaeological work at Delos continues to uncover early Greek masterpieces
An ancient Delos building that functioned much like a bank, complete with teller window and holes for the iron bars
On our last day in Greece we visited the recently reopened excavations of Akrotiri on Santorini, a site that dates to prehistoric times. Like the Terrace Houses at Ephesus that I discussed in yesterday’s post, this dig was entirely under cover.
Akrotiri
Photos of the archaeological lab work at Akrotiri
Acropolis in Lindos
The ancient village of Lindos features a clifftop Acropolis which is only accessible by climbing some 300 steps. I have the pictures to prove I made it!
Lindos
Nearing the fortifications of the Lindos Acropolis
Views of the temples from inside the fortifications:
Carving of an ancient ship in the cliffside on the pathway to the Acropolis
The treasures of sun kissed islands
Each island we visited had its own delightful charms and fascinating histories.
The harbor at Mykonos
Windmills at Mykonos. Most of them were built by the Venetians in the 16th century, but their construction continued into the early 20th century. They were primarily used to mill wheat.
Narrow streets in Mykonos, where land is at a premium, lead to residences . . .
. . . and tiny shops
A small, almost hidden chapel in Mykonos
Interior of one of the small chapels in Mykonos. Similar chapels—often constructed as personal chapels by the wealthy—can be found throughout the islands.
We saw why Santorini is one of the most popular islands in the Aegean.
The historic port town of Fira is at the bottom of steep cliffs, and while there is a lift, it is primarily accessible to the top of Santorini by the winding foot and donkey path
View back down to the sea from the steep cliffs of Santorini
Religious structures of various faiths can be found throughout the city
Interior dome in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Santorini
Signs of the times
Signs that caught my eye.
Isn’t this an oxymoron?
The UNESCO plaque designating Patmos a World Heritage Site
I loved this sign down a side street in Patmos, bringing back memories of an old-style razor blade like my father used for many years
A modest sign for a magnificent home in Delos
Fellow travelers
One of the best things about lecturing on National Trust Tours is the people we meet. We share conversations, memories, and good food. Out of the experiences we have built a number of long-lasting friendships.
Weary travelers catching a late-night drink in the rooftop bar in our Athens hotel before catching up on the sleep lost during the flight. That backdrop is worth staying awake for.
Pausing for a photograph in Ephesus, which was one of Candice’s favorite stops on our trip
It seemed appropriate for the son and brother of a librarian to have a photo taken at the Library of Celsus in Ephesus
A whirling dervish, Kusadasi, Turkey
Enjoying one of many great meals with fellow National Trust Tour travelers aboard Le Bougainville
DJB and Candice high above the Pátmos harbor
A gathering of most (but not all) of fellow National Trust Tours travelers. We welcomed those who had traveled with us before, several long-time NTT enthusiasts, and a number of first-time NTT travelers and new friends.
MORE TO COME... 
So pleased to see you in Greece, David! Hope it was a great time — certainly the perfect season to be there. Welcome back!
Thanks! It was a marvelous trip.
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Would have loved to have been on that trip!
Kathy La Plante (she/her)
It was a great one, Kathy. Come join us sometime. DJB
As soon as I retire. ð
Kathy La Plante (she/her)