Tag Archives: Greece

“Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006 The Death of a Neighbour in Samos

The day after the Samos Wine Festival we heard a man moaning very loudly in the middle of the night. It sounded like moans of pain or someone trying to communicate or perhaps a bit of both. It was Harry the grandfather just up the way next door who had suffered a stroke a fewContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006 The Death of a Neighbour in Samos”

“Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Samos, Greece: Feast of the Dormition of Theotokos

August 15 is a big day on the Greek Orthodox calendar. Everything is shut tight except what directly serves the tourists like mini marts and restaurants. I watched a bit of coverage on Greek TV and just like the old days the priests, politicians and military seem glued to each other. Still in 2006 theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : August 2006: Samos, Greece: Feast of the Dormition of Theotokos”

RKS Travel: In the Plaka District in Athens: Where Have the Greeks Gone?

So we are staying at Sweet Home Boutique Hotel in the Plaka district in the heart of touristy Athens near the Acropolis and Syntagma Square. I hear American accents and Yanks everywhere. In fact there has been such an influx of American tourists this September leaving me thinking where have all the Greeks gone? JustContinue reading “RKS Travel: In the Plaka District in Athens: Where Have the Greeks Gone?”

“Travels to A Different Time” : 12August2000: Epidavros, Greece: Off to The Sunken City and Staying at a Grand Hotel In Athens on the Decline!

Off in a boat with a local met at a restaurant to see the sunken city. Atlantis? Just out of the port into another bay with ancient ruins on the hills. It was thought there was a town there in antiquity but an earthquake or volcano destroyed it and it slid into the sea. IndeedContinue reading ““Travels to A Different Time” : 12August2000: Epidavros, Greece: Off to The Sunken City and Staying at a Grand Hotel In Athens on the Decline!”

“Travels to a Different Time ” : 11August2000: Epidavros, Greece: Ancient Theatre of Epidavros and Bandit French and Dutch Campers

After breakfast took a 35-minute bus trip to the ancient theatre of Epidavros. Very dry country and up and down hills with pine forest throughout. There are roadside memorials to those killed on the road. A little shrine with pictures of the deceased and a candle that can be lit along with flowers. Nothing newContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 11August2000: Epidavros, Greece: Ancient Theatre of Epidavros and Bandit French and Dutch Campers”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 9August2000: Epidavros, Greece: On the Flying Dolphin: Partying Until 2 a.m.

Woke up early and left Hotel Stanley in Athens to Piraeus to catch the hydrofoil Flying Dolphin to Epidavros. A very raunchy and decrepit taxi driver ripped me off “accidentally” taking me to the wrong dock. Finally reached the right dock and cursed the crook just making the boat. The boat is more like aContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 9August2000: Epidavros, Greece: On the Flying Dolphin: Partying Until 2 a.m.”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 7August2000: Athens, Greece: Mount Lycabettus and Kolonaki the District to Be In!

Monday is a slow museum day and attraction wise in Athens as many are closed. Got in the mood with a late breakfast. Fried eggs replaced by scrambled eggs and cinnamon buns replaced croissants. The dining room at the Hotel Stanley is huge but as breakfast was late the tour groups from Canada, USA, Spain,Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 7August2000: Athens, Greece: Mount Lycabettus and Kolonaki the District to Be In!”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 6August2000: Athens, Greece: The Albanian Issue

Greece has been homogenous for quite some time. On this visit I am amazed to see the ethnic diversity that is starting to emerge in Greece. The new groups are starting at the bottom rung so as to speak. Many Greeks are uneasy with the influx of illegal immigrants. The Albanians are treated with suspicionContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 6August2000: Athens, Greece: The Albanian Issue”

“Travels to A Different Time” : 5August2000: Athens, Greece: Interesting Hotel in Athens Besieged by Shady Albanians

Last breakfast in Samos at the hotel. Horrible bickering amongst the hotel staff. If it continues that chef is going on a stabbing rampage! The taxi driver with the bum ticker picked me up and off to the airport. A beautiful last glimpse of Samos but the two rusting cars at the side of theContinue reading ““Travels to A Different Time” : 5August2000: Athens, Greece: Interesting Hotel in Athens Besieged by Shady Albanians”

“Travels to a Different Time “: : 2August2000: Samos, Greece: Bickering, Pale Chicken and Semi Raw Potatoes: Taxi Driver with Bum Ticker

At this small hotel there are often bursts of bickering. It started off in the morning very loud and heated. Over what the bickering is in honour of no idea. I have a limited Greek vocabulary. After breakfast off to the archeological museum in Vathi. Very small but some marble statues from 300-600 BC fromContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time “: : 2August2000: Samos, Greece: Bickering, Pale Chicken and Semi Raw Potatoes: Taxi Driver with Bum Ticker”