Category Archives: Travels

Day 3: Paros

Sep 23

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 On se réveille ce matin avec un vent à faire écorner les bœufs mais une vue magnifique. Marc-André regarde ce que je trouve sur la table de buffet du déjeuner. Un gros pot de miel et de Nutella. C’est fait sur mesure pour toi 🙂
 
We decide to walk the 2.5 hilly kilometers into town. A good walk there with gorgeous lookout and sections on the beach.

We get into town and immediately locate the famous Church dating back to the 4th century.   It is one of the best preserved Christian churches in Greece: Panagia Ekatontapiliani.

 

After our visit, we decide to explore the city and stumble on splendid alleyways with shops and cafés. Chuck and I are salivating but for different reasons. 

We discover that Paros makes several types of honey, specializes in growing olive and loves capers and liquors.  After a bit of shopping, I am instructed that Jewelry shopping will have to wait. Time for a gyros and a Mythos beer. We walk back to the beach to enjoy our lunch at one of the patio there. And wouldn’t you know, we encounter our first official extreme speedo sighting! Had to happen at some point in Europe. Why is it always the old guy wearing them???  Of course, there were also the customary dark brown sun-worshipping leather-skin retired couples and the beet red oblivious guy. That one is going to hurt!!!

By then we are hot and the legs are getting tired so we take our time enjoying our lunch before our long walk up the cliff back to the hotel.

 

Time to quickly change into our bathing suits and make our way to the beach to enjoy the Agean sea and then back to the pool area and the comfy couch calling our names. 

 

I have also been trying to learn a Greek word evey day. So far I am pretty good at thank you. I am now working on “Yasou” for hello and “Yasus” when it is with people you don’t know, there is also “Paragalo” for you’re welcome or please. So there you go, one word, two uses 🙂 
We went back to town for dinner. Capb driver recommended a Greek place so we went with it. Saganaki and olive pâté folliowed by chicken in lemon sauce with lamb chop for chuck and FINALLY a baklava. Yum!

 

Another kitty cat at the restaurant. There are several cats roaming around and although they don’t seem to belong to anyone, they all seem well fed and quite content. We think that is why there are no rodents here!  Lots of dogs as pets also. Nice to see !

 

I must say I am surprised by how many French  people and quebecers are here. I now understand why all menus are also in French. I think the Greeks speak as much French as they do english!! Good for them. I love to see how Europeans speak several languages. Mist can speak at least 3. The Romanian girl at the hotel speaks English, French, Greek some Spanish and some Italian. And we worry about learning 2 in Ontario! Really!   I told my kids could speak French and English and guess what she said??. Good for them they can speak the 2 main languages!!! 
 
 

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Day 2 – on our way to Paros

Sep 22

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We were booked on a 5pm ferry to Paros today and had made tentative plans to visit Athens some more.

After sleeping in and catching up on our jet lag  / lack of sleep the previous night, we had breakfast on the rooftop again. The selection was awesome and of course the view of the Acropolis!
We walked through the national gardens across the street. Quite pretty, coming across more ancient ruins.  The humidity and heat however is almost unbearable and I must say the city of Athens is not the prettiest city I have seen.
After a while, we decided to return to the hotel and take advantage of the nice pool area to relax / nap / read our books. I am reading “All the light we can not see” right now. Absolutely awesome so far. Thanks Nancy 🙂

 

Made it on this gigantic ferry. Couldn’t believe how many people came out of that ship!

We had purchased business class tickets to try it and although the comfy chairs were great and the service very good, the show was in the back of the boat on the open deck. The side windows of the business lounge did convey the beautiful scenery. With the refreshing breeze coming through and the sun setting on the Aegean Sea, not sure the economy tickets were not the best deals in town!

 

We arrived at Paros after dark so we can not see the sea but the short ride to our hotel revealed awesome restaurant terrace on the beach with straw roofs and beautiful lighting. Can’t wait to eat there tomorrow. I think it will be all about food here!!! Our hotel is also gorgeous in the dark so can’t wait to see the view tomorrow. Perched on a cliff overlooking the sea.

Had an exquisite dinner opening with eggplant rolls and sea pies… Yum !!!

 

Having a grand marnier on our very large balcony. Pretty heavenly!!!

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First day in Athens

Sep 21

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We had a very uneventful flight from Montreal to Athens after a bit of a scare as to whether we would make the connection.  A young crew of very enthusiastic quebecers served us on board led by Marc-Andre….what are the chance!
Probably the easiest customs process I have ever been through. Come on in basically…. Arrived at hotel Grande Bretagne.  Very spectacular hotel and the room is superb. Champaign, ice, tea, Perrier at the check in…great start!
Didn’t sleep much on the plane but wanted to get at it so we started with the high tea service. Quite the selection. I had the vanilla roshoi herbal tea and chuck the Mao Feng green tea…oh and the little sandwiches 🙂

 

Walked through the national garden towards the Acropolis. We came across a roman bath excavation that was discovered as they were digging for the subway. Very neat.

 

We went through the acropolis museum on the recommendation of Francis and it was well worth it. We then entered the Acropolis via the south slope where they are still working on some sections.  Not an easy walk but well worth it. I must say that when you get to the top and walk on the grounds of the acropolis, it is quite breathtaking.  To think that this was built almost 3 thousands years ago with the rudimentary tools of the time is incredible. Amazing view of the city and the sea. Absolutely loved it up there.  The pantheon, the temple of Athena Nike, the erechtheion, the Propylaiya were all very imposing.
Back down via the marble stairs!  Pretty but slippery.
 
We had passed a taverna before arriving to the museum that was calling Chuck’s name somwe stopped for our first Mythos beer, Greek salad , saganaki and stuffed vine leaves…yum, yum. So far so good. 
 
I am also trying to learn Greek. The waiter write thank you on the table for me 🙂

 

The view from our table at the rooftop restaurant. The acropolis at night. Daniel, j’ai besoin de tes habiletēs avec la camēra!!!  🙂   Absolutely gorgeous and the food to die for. Well worth the expenses.

 

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Getting ready for Greece

Sep 19

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Monday I booked the last item left on my list: the ferries. I used ferriesingreece.com and I must say the process was painless with all different ferries listed, types of accommodations, where to pick up the tickets etc… Great site!
Chuck and I are so excited to be embarking on this trip in just a few days. We will spend a total of 8 days in Greece and have decided to divide the trips in 4 destinations of 2 days: Athens, Paros, Santorini, Naxos and then back home. I will post updates and pictures as access to the internet is available (cross my fingers!) For now this is the picture (Santorini) that inspires us.


As you know I like to be organized so this is the binder with all the hotel reservations, plane tickets, notes on each island and ferries. So when Chuck booked the plane a few months and we said we would just wing it…..who were we kidding! This is me we are talking about 🙂 Here it is!

Most hotels were booked using the wonderful scotiarewards point. So we were able to treat ourselves. I have been in contact with each arranging for pick ups. Chuck is very keen on the guy standing with his name waiting for him at the airport / ports. Should be fun. They have been more than helpful so far so my expectations are high 🙂
Made some meals for my boys, my wonderful sister Lorraine is coming from Sunday to Friday to hang out with them. Neighbours are expected to be on watch for the other days…hint hint Janine and Heidi so we are good to go.
Now if I can only get rid of this cold and at least get a little bit of sleep on the overnight plane.
More later.

 

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