Yesterday we got to Pireaus, the port of Athens, at 5:00 am. Went to our hotel and then got our second wind after a poor nights sleep on the ferry, and headed to the Acropolis.

We got there right as it opened at eight in the morning and were happy to find out that it was free to get in that day. Of course, the floodgate of tourists was right behind us. These pictures are mostly from the Acropolis except for the lighthouse at Hania, Crete (above).

Helen, my mom, is leaving tomorrow for London and then home to her husband who is missing her dearly I'm sure. We will really miss her too. It's been great fun having her along. You're the best, Mom.

She's been wearing these two out!!

Ciao fro now,

R

We took an overnight ferry from Rhodes to Irakleo, on the 'big island' of Kiti (Crete), which forms a big part of Greek history, prehistory and the modern Greek economy. It also retains its own dialect and its own music. I got the chance to meander around one night and listen to some, reminds me of Bill Monroe with an arabic lilt.

This is me playing guitar by the harbor in Hania, just before we left for Athens. Also the tiny balcony of our hotel in Hania.

Here we are again enjoying the wonderful water.

On Crete, when you eat out, after you're all stuffed, they ask if you'll have some Raki, which is like a strong brandy--supposed to be good for the digestion. This picture was taken after a delicious meal in Hania, digestion working fine.

Crete is home to the oldest 'European' civilization, the Minoan. The museum in Irakleo is small but full of the most stunning works of art, mostly between 3 and 4,000 years old! Everything in Crete is built on the remains of this civilization with layers of Byzantine, Turkish, Venetian and others.

Here, Theresa demonstrates the proper technique for drinking Raki.

This is from the overnight ferry, just as we arrived in Crete.

Hope you're all doing well.

I'm off to the archeology museum in Athens. Tomorrow we leave for Italy.

Ciao,

R

More on Rhodes

Ya sas (hi),
I'm blogging from Athens and am just down the block from the National Archeology museum. I'll meet the rest of the crew there in a few minutes.
Here are a few more pictures of Rhodes.

The mosaic floor and vaulted ceiling are from the Knight's Hospital which is quite beautiful. The pillar with deer on top commemorates the location where the Colossus of Rhodes (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) had his left foot. Apparently, the colossus was 100 feet tall and spanned the entrance to the harbor. It was built in around 300 bc and toppled by an earthquake only 60 years later.

Ciao for now,

R