The citadel of Mycenae

Archaeological / historical sites require that the visitor be well equipped: a hat to protect from the hot sunrays, strong shoes to help with the climbing of hills and the wandering among ruins, a bottle of water etc.. Well, I usually defied the rules. I liked to feel feminine, light as a feather, free of any attached accessories. Surprisingly, the tours in Greece and in some other countries were quite successful and no harm was done to me. I enjoyed every moment and overcame any challenge with no special effort.

Mycenae was one of those challenging places: no shade, steep climb, ruins etc...

The culture of Mycenae ( site located on the plain of Argolis) is the source of famous ancient epics and legends such as the Troyan War, and the tragic death of Agammemnon (murdered by his wife & her lover upon return from the Troyan War ). Mycenae is famous for the tombs of royal families. One enters the site through The Lion Gate (at the top of the gate-carved in stone, are two lions standing at a column and facing each other). Once passed the gate , one stands before shaft and circle graves. Nearby - a vaulted tomb (the tomb of Agamemnon).

Ruins at Mycenae

Ancient site on a rocky hill

The Lion Gate to it stands still

Here tombs and houses were uncovered

Grave shafts and treasures discovered.

Many come to this mystical place

To see the circle A and circle B graves

And the vaulted Agamemnon Tomb

Also, the Treasury of Artreus called

Circling the graves

The entrance to the dark Agamemnon Tomb

Old Corinth and the Corinth Canal

The ancient city of Corinth (NE in the Peloponessus on the Gulf of Corinth) was a rich , influential city. Ancient ruins at Old Corinth include: the temple of Apollo, a roman amphitheater, the marketplace, fountains.

Temple of Apollo at Old Corinth

Between pillars of the Temple of Apollo

Most of ancient Corinth

Has either dissappeared

Or by earthquaqes destroyed

And over the years rebuilt

And in spite of it all, there are still

Temple of Apollo ,5th century built

And remnants of an once rich town

With shops that made her renown

Shop at ancient Corinth

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The Corinth Canal built in the late 19th century at the very end of the Gulf of Corinth was considered a great technical achievement , a great engineering masterpiece at the time intended to short sea voyage of ships.. It connects mainland Greece (North} with the Peloponnese peninsula (South), the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. Two large bridges one for railway, one for national Road are the land connection while below ships sail slowly from one sea to another, from the Adriatic to the Aegaen.

The canal appears as a blue strip and measures are: length - 6.3 km, width- 21 m, depth- 8m, height of the cliffs flanking it - 63m.

The attractions : one can take an organized cruise on a ship along the canal, or while on the bridge watch the bungy jump or look down and watch the passing ships. All three possibilities are exciting.

People looking down in wonder at the canal

The Corinth narrow ship Canal

Is something far from banal

Cut through solid rock and designed

By greatest of minds at the time

It links two seas and two pieces of land

While sailing, one can touch the cliffs by hand

Corinth Canal and the bridges

On the bridge

Corinth Canal - video

Delphi and the Oracle

Delphi is a very dramatic place. The drama is provided by the domineering Mt. Parnassos (today a famous ski center) and by the ancient archeological site with its sanctuary of Apollo, an ancient theater, a museum, etc.. In the classical Greek world, the sanctuary of Apollo was house to the Oracle delivered by the 'Phytea', the priestess ( an old speckless woman). The Oracle spoken in riddles, was interpreted by the priests of the temple and directed by them to the people who came from all over Greece to hear the prophesies of the Oracle and consult it before major undertakings.

Mt. Parnassos towering over Delphi

Delphi, the town and ancient site

At the foot of Mt. Parnassos' Might

Historical, dramatic, and sacred spot

Where people listened to and obeyed God

Here's the temple of Apollo, God of Light

Who foretold the future and was Guide

To people from all over the land of Greece

Who came to hear the Oracle through his priests.

The sanctuary dedicated to Apollo

Point of departure to and from the archeological site

View from above of the port of Itea


Narrow souvenir shop area

Cape Sounio

Sounio - what a lovely name, sounds romantic too. The place is famous for its sunsets .People gather at the temple on top of it to watch the sun go down in changing colors of yellow, red, and orange. It also offers , on a clear day, a panoramic view of surrounding islands in the Aegaen Sea such as the nearby greek islets of Makronisi and Patroklou

Cape Sounio is the name of the majestic spot

Really worth stopping at it for a camera shot

Up the hill and below it, there are things to see

Such as temple of Poseidon, the God of Sea

Under the marble temple a small harbour

And the Aegaen Sea with its blue crystal water

It is southernmost point of Europe mainland

One can see from above some aegaen islands

Climbing up the hill

Temple of Poseidon, the God of Sea in mythology


Boats on the sea

Bellow the hill, the Sea and a restaurant

Lycabettus Hill- - Athens

I like hills. They were the main attraction in my childhood town in Roumania. I liked the excitement of climbing up to the top, the panoramic view of the town bellow, the feeling of being close to the sky and God.

In ancient Greece there's the concept of "sacred hill" - the acropolis, with its superbly designed temples and stone air-open amphitheaters. I like that too.

Lycabettus Hill is the highest point in Athens and offers a good view of this densely populated city. It is cone shaped , and pine trees cover its base. One can walk via stairs ot take the funicular to the top.

Telescope deck on the Lycabettus

Lycabetus Hill in the middle of the capital

Offering a city sight which is spectacular

All of Athens as viewed from the top

Is like a huge, giant workshop.

The Hill is also place of worship

With small church and chapel of Ai Georgis

It has a restaurant/cafe on the top

And a theater which is a concerts host.

View of Athens from the Lycabettus

ATHENS - The Acropolis..and more

Athina - the greek word for Athens - reminds me of the famous greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassiss. His first wife and his only grandaughter were both named Athina.

I have a little theory (supposedly, not original) : I think everyone is born with a certain Luck which goes with him/her from the cradle to the grave. In-between there are ups and downs, but a person's life usually ends more or less within the same kind of Luck it started with.

The "Rise and Fall" of Aristotle (Ari) Onassiss seems to be a fairly good example. Son of greek refugees, he worked as a liftboy, as telephone operator, and then his Luck gradually changed. He became rich, successful and famous through commerce with tobacco and ships. He married Athina (Tina), the daughter of a greek shipping magnate, whom he later divorced, had a long love affair with the world's greatest opera singer, Maria Callas, married late USA president John Kennedy's widow ,Jacky Kennedy, bought an island, had connections with Heads of States, Kings, etc.. and then, when in the third phase of his life, his Luck changed again.

His decline (personal , not financial), reached its bottom with the death of his son Alexander (25) in a plane crash. Onassiss never recovered from the tragedy of his son's death. He didn't live long enough (died three years later) to face another tragedy, that of his daughter Christina's death (37) .

And what became of the two Athina-s ? Athina (Tina), Onassis' divorcee ,died a year after her son's death.

Athina ,the grandaughter, is the sole survivor of the shipping tycoon 's immediate family, and she doesn't live in Greece.

The Acropolis (upper city)

In the center of Athens there are two hills : the Acropolis and the Lycabetus , both offering a splendid view of the city capital Athens.

The Acropolis is viewed as the highlight of ancient Greek civilization. It is believed that this is where democracy was born and where art and life became almost inseparable.

On the top of the acropolis is the Parthenon erected in honour of Athena , goddess protective of Athens. It is considered a marvel of architecture.

The Parthenon

The Acropolis, the upper city

Watching over Athen's beauty

Symbol of ancient civilization

The Greek's pride as a nation

A place of major temples

In honor of Athena Goddess

The most famous on the site

Is Parthenon standing upright

From the Acropolis one can get a superb view of the city with its outstanding landmarks: the Olympic Stadium, the Zappion , the National Gardens , etc.. Below the Acropolis is the ancient theater of Dionysos and the well-preserved temple of Thissio.

The ancient theater of Dionysos

On a stone chair in the theater of Dionysos

Behind, is the temple of Thissio


Monument in front of the Olympic Stadium


The Zappion Exhibition Hall

In the city square, pigeons everywhere


Guard- the Presidential Residence

Rhodes Rhodos Rodos - island of the Sun

I'm ashamed to admit it, but the first thought that comes to my mind when someone mentions Rhodos, is a big omelette with mushrooms I ate at the hotel "Blue Bay"on the day of our arrival in Rhodes. It was unforgettably tasty, or ..perhaps I was very hungry.

And then, I noticed the woven bed cover in the hotel room and liked it ,not knowing of course, that the next day , in one of the old city shops ,I'll find a poncho made of the same blue wool fabric as the bed cover, and I'll buy it on the spot. Another acquisition during the old city tour was that of a silver pendant representing the Colossos of Rhodes (statue considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), and a wooden matchbox with a metal deer on it - the Deer- the emblem of Rhodes guarding Mandraki harbour at the entrance to the city.

Bed cover that 'got' me a poncho

resting by the hotel's pool

Rhodos -the island's main town

My first real vacation trip abroad

Was to the greek island of Rhodes

I liked everything, including the flight

For me it was "love at first sight"

The city of Rhodos is divided in two

The old part and the modern, the new

Tourists are much attracted to the old

Which is medieval and walled

The entrance to the old city's made

Through the in-walls eleven gates

The busy narrow cobbled lanes

Are crossed by old archways

The modern city has broad streets

Lots of shops, beautiful things

Nice buildings ,hotels, green parks

Intensive nightlife with many bars

And in the area outside

Fine beaches, blue sea and sky

The famous 'valley of butterflies'

Archeological and historical sites

sculpture at the Archeological Museum

stone balls in the city park

in the old city

panoramic view of Rhodes - on a cloudy day
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Outside the city of Rhodes ,I recall two outstanding attractions: the valley of the butterflies and the acropolis of Lindos.

Lindos

Above the modern village of Lindos

On the east coast of the island of Rodos

Rises the Acropolis - citadel and ancient spot

Offering views of the coastline and Rhodin port

One can climb up to the Acropolis on foot

Or on a monkey's back , sturdy and cute

Either way it's a rewarding experience

Providing pleasure, in the first instance

The Acropolis of Lindos

view from the Acropolis

Valley of the Butterflies

Between June and September, thousands of butterflies flock to the valley which is about 12 Km distant from the city and has many wooden bridges, streams, and waterfalls. It's a fascinating sight attracting lots of tourists eager to watch the butterflies phenomenon

Valley of the Butterflies ( by oldboy96)

SYMI - island, town, harbour

Acording to greek mythology, Symi ( name of a nymph) is the birth place of the three Graces (goddesses): 'Beauty', 'Mirth', 'Good Cheer'.
In the 19th century Symi grew wealthy (one can judge by the mansions on the hill surrounding the town) from...sponge trade . It seems that tourists (attracted to the beauty of the place as well as to the open air festivals) , and pilgrims (coming to Panormitis monastery in hope for miracles) - are the main sources of Symi's economy of today.

The town of Symi is considered the most beautiful among the Greek island ports and is protected as national treasure.

The port of Symi

The island of Symi, small and hilly

Is reached easily by sea ferry

It's a real heaven for tourists

A proud host of summer festivals

Birthplace of the three Graces

Has neo-classical tiled-roof houses

And some sites worth visiting

Within the town and ouside it

The horse shoe shaped port
With bars and shops of every sort

A monastery bult for St. Michael

Panormitis ,the protective archangel
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The monastery of Panormitis is located on the south end of Symi, on the sea front of the tiny village of Panormitis. Inside it , in the church devoted to Archangel Michailis (considered the patron saint and the guardian of the sailors in the whole region) , there's a 2-meter high silver leafy wall icon of the Panormiti, believed to perform miracles.

The main entrance to the monastery


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The islet of Agia Marina

Some twenty minutes boat ride from Symi harbour is the islet of Agia Marina which houses the chapel of Holly Marina. The sea water here has shades of blue which ,according to some tourists , is hardly seen in other places .

A small port on a slight windy day

It's cold, wet, and yet, the bay

And the hilly pineclad village

Are worth the time and the voyage

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SYMI - VIDEO
( by olesw, background music - Zorba The Greek theme)

HYDRA - island, town,water, dragon

Hydra ( the name means 'water' in Greek) is the capital and main port of the rocky island with the same name . What is special here is that motorized transport is forbidden. Even bicycles are not allowed. Transport of people and goods is made by cart, backs of donkeys, boat.

Since 1950 it has attracted artists from all over the world turning into a cosmopolitan artistic and cultural center.

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Hydra Harbour

From port to town

Cafes and shops line the quayside

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The Hydra with no cars

Hydra (multi-dragon, in mythology)

A cosmopolitan town and artist colony

Painters/writers find here inspiration

For their versatile cultural creation

It has a horseshoe port with yachts

Many cafes, tavernas and shops.

Timeless, stone charming houses

Separated by narrow paved alleys

No modern transport is allowed

On the island and in the small town

Tourists stroll in the cobbled lanes

Enjoying it all, despite leg pains.

The Dead Sea ( 'Yam Hamelach' - 'The Salty Sea')

The ultimate recreation and health spot. It has it all: desert -like climate, mineral-rich sea and mud, hot springs, fine beaches, luxurious hotels and spas. In recent years it has lost some of its natural charm due to reduced inflow of water, massive extraction of minerals from the sea by a chemical company ( "The Dead Sea Works"), increasing number of hotels , therapeutic facilities and visitors . Yet it's still one of the greatest places on earth.

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The water of the sea has unique properties

sulphur pool

Even in a salty place it's possible to grow things

Colors of water & sky change according to daytime

'Zel Harim' Hotel with all rooms at ground level

I'm 'Mad' about the Dead..Sea

The lowest point on Earth

The Dead Sea area 'gave birth'

To a unique , hypnotizing spot

Which is one big health resort

The sea is both oily and salty

People are engaged in floating

Bromine in the air and water

Make body relaxed and calmer

Sunny skies, dry, pure air

Colors of 'Moav' mountain chain

Nature is all Silence and Beauty

Providing health and serenity

People from all over the world

Come to the Dead Sea pearl

For its climate, mud, minerals

To cure their various illnesses

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ים המוות הנותן חיים

ים המלח, ים הדממה

מוקף באדמה צחיחה

מימיו המלוחים, שומניים

עשירים במינרלים מיטיבי חיים

מכל הארץ ומרחבי העולם

אנשים באים לכאן

למצוא במימיו הכחולים

שלווה ומזור למכאובים

תמיד אהבתי ואוהב

את ים המלח והרי מואב

את האויר, המים והחול

את ערד העיר, המלונות..הברום

ים המלח, ים הדממה

ים של רוגע ושלווה

המקום הנמוך בעולם

הכל בו הוד, וטוב טעם