King of the Hill

Thurs Jul 31 - day 19

Eaaaarly morning flight to Athens.  Alarm went off at 3:45.  Yes there was a cat hanging out at baggage check.

Took bus the wrong way, those hotel instructions again!

Food was far away.  Two restaurants with no food, so we had to leave twice.  Third time was a charm. 

Tackled the National archeological museum.  Wow factor was out of this world.  However, apparently mimicry of the sculptures for photos is considered "disrespectful", so Sherisse, knowing this ahead of time, had to explain why she wouldn't take my photo.  The sculptures were so very good.  There's a reason ancient Greek culture inspired all those dudes in Europe to start a renaissance.

Fri Aug 1 - day 20

Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, top of the bucket list, check!
But the people won't get out of the way for our photos, and the other people are constantly taking photos when I just want to see stuff.
We started early and by the time we left people were climbing the hill in dense herds like cattle.
Ancient Athens agora, we walked the pathways of the ancient city where Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates taught. 
Acropolis Museum, its amazing how much stuff they have, but the statues have taken their greatest beating in the last 50 years from pollution.
"But which parts are real?" Repeated many time through the days.
We were moving slowly all day,  "Respect the heat".

Sat Aug 2 - day 21

Walking tour of Athens
Freedo cappuccino at McDonalds
Pedestrian street to church
Three little orthodox churches
Little white houses with narrow alleys
Roman agora
Flee market
Lunch on pita row
Walk to cemetery
Museum of Byzantine history
Delicious dinner of meatballs with egg and lemon sauce aaaand another Greek salad.

Across the Sea to Greece

Mon Jul 28 - day 16

High speed hydrofoil ferry from Fethiye to Rhodes.  Goodbye Turkey, hello Greece!

Arrived in the old city harbor.

Our hotel was far superior to the Star hotel.  Glad we skipped that.

Old city castle wall is a medieval crusader fortress in amazing condition. 

Played frogger with high speed scooters whipping through the castle walls.

Mythos on the rooftop patio, overlooking the city gate, harbor and market square fountain.

Avenue of the knights
Grand palace of the masters
St. Paul's gate, climbed the walls and soaked in the endless Mediterranean sea.  The lighthouse and windmills were surrounded by yahties.
After Mythos and wine in the market we found the Ambrose gate and dinner.  Then we were ready to climb the Acropolis. 

Sea spreading to the distant mountains. At sunset we absorbed the vista. We found the Acropolis Temple as dusk fell. It was huge.

No taxis after four phone calls by a shop owner.  A long 50 minute walk later we crashed back at home.

Tues Jul 29 - day 17

Lindos

White houses
Narrow streets winding around the side of the Acropolis.  Steep climb in the heat to the top.
Old crusaders fort guards the ancient temple.
Ocean views, white cube houses and beaches surround this Greek island fortress.
Hit the beach to beat the heat.

Found an amazing little restaurant by our hotel.  Delicious huge Greek salad and meal.

Wed Jul 30 - day 18

Beach day in Rhodes
Wall to water people
Randall had to conquer the fear. Jumped from the high platform way out in the sea.
Surrounded by endless deep blue sea, with island mountains in the distance and the historic city of Rhodes behind us. It was a great day.

Back to our favorite restaurant for Greek salad and we discovered Giaourtiou, sausage in yogurt sauce with pita.  Amazing with a Greek salad.  Sherisse had to run from only one cat.
"Randall it is coming at me!"