August 12, 2016
Santorini, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. This photo essay of the village of Oia, shot while I was there in 2013, gives you an idea of what it’s like. There is nothing like wandering around the skinny, winding streets and getting lost in alleys. I ended up having a glass of rose in a cafe overlooking…
One of the highlights of my cruise last year was visiting the island of Santorini, or Thera, as it’s formally known. I was excited to have the opportunity to stop there again this year and visit Oia, which I didn’t get to last year. Late in the afternoon, I was up on the top deck to watch the approach to…
I was only in Crete for a few short hours, but in that time was enchanted by the city of Heraklion. I thought it was a fabulous place. I walked from the port into the city – about a 10 minute stroll, so around a kilometre. I was rewarded with a view over the marina, cobbled stones, lovely European architecture,…
Rhodes was a pretty cool place, with the (medieval) city tucked away inside a fortress wall. Walking up cobbled streets past the touristic shopping strip, I chanced upon a mosque and also Moslem library, which was housed in a separate building. Both were interesting tributes to architectural and cultural diversity, along with expected Greek ruins. As a traveller, I look…
I boarded the Louis Olympia looking forward to cruising; after all, it has been a full-on few weeks with touring. I wanted pampering, rest and relaxation. My impressions of the ship, however, are less than favorable. This ship has passed its used by date: it is tired, old and shabby. It has certainly seen better days. The engine laboriously chugs…
Arriving late in the afternoon, I wandered around Patmos for about an hour, taking pictures here and there. While it was not quite as picturesque as Santorini or Mykonos, it was not without its own unique charm. There were the same whitewashed buildings, the same shops hawking all manners of wares from shirts, hats and scarves to jewellery, postcards and…
We pulled into the port of Mykonos a little after 6pm on the first day. I’m glad I packed my Gorilla Pod so I could capture the island as the day faded into night. It was a beautiful spot: white washed houses faced the sea, along with shops and restaurants. As the sun was swallowed by the horizon, a crescent…
I arrived in Athens, tired and worn out from my tour of Turkey. I was over being on the road, being with people, the early starts, the getting in and out of buses, the whistle stop visits and the lightning quick stays, the Whispers, the food. I desperately needed to recharge in time for the next tour*. Athens I love…
In a few short weeks, I’ll be jetting off to Europe. Again. Tough job, I know, but someone has to do it! Cruising the Mediterranean for three weeks last year gave me a taste of where I wanted to spend more time. For those of you who followed my travels last year, you will remember that I just loved the…