When Kristen and I were in Mykonos, we thought we would be able to participate in a "Greek night" hosted by our hotel. This "Greek night" would have consisted of eating Greek food while watching Greek dancing and listening to Greek music. However, that Greek night was cancelled and we were quite disappointed. Luckily, on the second night we were in Zakynthos, a nearby restaurant was having a Greek night. Kristen and I had already tasted traditional Greek food, so eating was not the night's highlight; rather, it was the Greek dancing. There was an opportunity for everyone at the restaurant to learn the dances, so Kristen and I participated. After learning the Greek dances, Kristen and I decided to do some dancing of our own and started to spin each other around. Not one minute later did one of the Greek dancers pick Kristen up by the waist and start spinning her around in the air! Meanwhile, I was in the background snapping photos of this unforgettable scene...
I also found one of my most favorite places in the world in Zakynthos. When Kristen and I first arrived on the island, we visited a travel agent to book flights to Corfu (where I am now) and Athens (where I will be flying tomorrow). This agent told us the part of the island that she considered the most beautiful; the name of the place was Port Limnosa. Kristen and I found Port Limnosa and were in awe as soon as we saw it. I would try to describe it but words would not do it justice. One thing I can say is that the rocks which surrounded the bluish green lagoon made perfect platforms for cliff jumping :)
Another new thing that Kristen and I did in Zakynthos was take breaks from lounging in the sun with half an hour yoga sessions. Kristen and I have both done Bikram yoga before so we just did the poses we could remember. After doing yoga with Kristen (a former gymnast), I am convinced that my flexibility could use some work!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
OLYMPIA AND ZAKYNTHOS
I just published a post about Napflion and Spetes that was a bit outdated because I started it in Spetes and didn't finish it until today...and today I'm in Zakynthos.
Before Zakynthos, Kristen and I visited ancient Olympia, which hosts the site of the first Olympics. Since Kristen is a gymnast and I am a tennis player, we thought it would be appropriate to visit a place so important to the history of athletics. The best part of the historical site was the stadium; we entered it through the same archway that Greek athletes used so long ago! We also took pictures doing athletic poses around the ruins. Kristen did a handstand and I pretended like I was hitting a forehand.
Zakynthos makes me want to live in Greece! The mountains are covered in green and the water is bluer than ever. On the first day we were on the island, we visited a cove in Zakynthos called Smuggler's Wreck; it is one of the most photographed places in Greece. During the schoolyear, Kristen and I would go to a small Greek food restaurant on Guadalupe called El Greco to plan our trip. There is a picture of Smuggler's Wreck in that restaurant and we always expressed about how beautiful it was. Actually visiting the place in that picture was a surreal experience...
There is so much more to talk about regarding Zakynthos, but I'm out of time! Look for more updates about this beautiful island in the near future :)
Before Zakynthos, Kristen and I visited ancient Olympia, which hosts the site of the first Olympics. Since Kristen is a gymnast and I am a tennis player, we thought it would be appropriate to visit a place so important to the history of athletics. The best part of the historical site was the stadium; we entered it through the same archway that Greek athletes used so long ago! We also took pictures doing athletic poses around the ruins. Kristen did a handstand and I pretended like I was hitting a forehand.
Zakynthos makes me want to live in Greece! The mountains are covered in green and the water is bluer than ever. On the first day we were on the island, we visited a cove in Zakynthos called Smuggler's Wreck; it is one of the most photographed places in Greece. During the schoolyear, Kristen and I would go to a small Greek food restaurant on Guadalupe called El Greco to plan our trip. There is a picture of Smuggler's Wreck in that restaurant and we always expressed about how beautiful it was. Actually visiting the place in that picture was a surreal experience...
There is so much more to talk about regarding Zakynthos, but I'm out of time! Look for more updates about this beautiful island in the near future :)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
SPETES AND NAPFLION
Hello from Napflion! Kristen and I have returned to the mainland from the islands. The main difference here is that there is more cloud cover...and the clouds don't blow over as quickly. Yesterday evening it even rained here! However, seeing the double rainbow over the mountains when the rain finally past made up for the lack of sunshine during the storm :)
Before I tell you more about Napflion, I will talk about Spetes. Spetes was much like the other islands in that it had numerous beaches and life centered around the port. The first day we were there, Kristen and I took a bus through the mountains to a pebbly beach. I have decided that I like pebbly beaches better because they are less messy than dealing with sand. That night, we treated ourselves to a nice pizza dinner (the pizza here is delicious!) and dessert by the water. If any of you have never tried baklava, I highly recommend doing so :)
Spetes is also the island that introduced Kristen and me to our new favorite cereal: Munchli Chocolate. We ended up leaving the island with three boxes of this stuff! It is basically chocolate-packed granola and any milk that touches it turns into chocolate milk.
Kristen and I only stayed in Napflion for a short time. We visited a fort at the top of a mountain from which we could see the entire city below. Although we took a taxi up to the top, we walked down 900 steps back to the city. The journey was tough, but not nearly as bad as the one in Santorini with the donkeys!
Napflion is also the city that got Kristen and I hooked on Euro2008, which is a big soccer tournament happening right now. We went to a beachside bar and watched Greece play Sweden. That night was a lot of fun!
Before I tell you more about Napflion, I will talk about Spetes. Spetes was much like the other islands in that it had numerous beaches and life centered around the port. The first day we were there, Kristen and I took a bus through the mountains to a pebbly beach. I have decided that I like pebbly beaches better because they are less messy than dealing with sand. That night, we treated ourselves to a nice pizza dinner (the pizza here is delicious!) and dessert by the water. If any of you have never tried baklava, I highly recommend doing so :)
Spetes is also the island that introduced Kristen and me to our new favorite cereal: Munchli Chocolate. We ended up leaving the island with three boxes of this stuff! It is basically chocolate-packed granola and any milk that touches it turns into chocolate milk.
Kristen and I only stayed in Napflion for a short time. We visited a fort at the top of a mountain from which we could see the entire city below. Although we took a taxi up to the top, we walked down 900 steps back to the city. The journey was tough, but not nearly as bad as the one in Santorini with the donkeys!
Napflion is also the city that got Kristen and I hooked on Euro2008, which is a big soccer tournament happening right now. We went to a beachside bar and watched Greece play Sweden. That night was a lot of fun!
Friday, June 6, 2008
KOUFONISSI, HYDRA AND POROS
Kristen and I have been traveling from island to island quite a bit recently. We stayed in Koufonissi for one night, Hydra for one night, and now we're in Poros. I'll go one by one...
Koufinissi was quite an experience. It was so windy there that I felt like a hurricane was about to strike at any moment! The manager at our hotel suggested that we not even visit the white sand beach (Pori) because it would not be very pleasant. There was no way that we were missing it though; Pori was the whole reason we came to Koufinissi! After a long walk to Pori, Kristen and I were slightly disappointed that its sand was not even white. Even so, the beach was beautiful :) We didn't stay for long because the wind was stirring up the sand and making it sting our legs...but the journey was still worth it.
From Koufinissi, we headed to Hydra. Hydra was different than the other islands we have visited; it was greener and the buildings were more Venetian in style. Overall, Hydra was quaint and quiet.
Instead of taking a ferry from Hydra to Poros, we actually went on a sailboat (with experienced sailors...not to worry)! The trip was two hours and we got about twice as tan during that time than all the time laying out on beaches combined! I have sailed on Lake Travis but never on a sea; it was a lot of fun!
I hope everyone is doing great. I will post again soon :)
Koufinissi was quite an experience. It was so windy there that I felt like a hurricane was about to strike at any moment! The manager at our hotel suggested that we not even visit the white sand beach (Pori) because it would not be very pleasant. There was no way that we were missing it though; Pori was the whole reason we came to Koufinissi! After a long walk to Pori, Kristen and I were slightly disappointed that its sand was not even white. Even so, the beach was beautiful :) We didn't stay for long because the wind was stirring up the sand and making it sting our legs...but the journey was still worth it.
From Koufinissi, we headed to Hydra. Hydra was different than the other islands we have visited; it was greener and the buildings were more Venetian in style. Overall, Hydra was quaint and quiet.
Instead of taking a ferry from Hydra to Poros, we actually went on a sailboat (with experienced sailors...not to worry)! The trip was two hours and we got about twice as tan during that time than all the time laying out on beaches combined! I have sailed on Lake Travis but never on a sea; it was a lot of fun!
I hope everyone is doing great. I will post again soon :)
Monday, June 2, 2008
NAXOS
All I do is relax on the island of Naxos. Life is so good here...so slow.
Kristen and I have been staying in a charming hotel on the beach for the past four nights. The hotel is owned and operated by a friendly and loving Greek family who treats us like their daughters. They love us and we love them!
Our days have been filled with tanning on the beach, lounging on chairs in the hotel courtyard, sitting in the hotel jacuzzi, and riding around the ATV. We have started each day with a delightful breakfast that consists of the usual bread, feta, ham, fruit and yogurt as well as treats like small pieces of cherry pie and pistachio cake. I usual don't eat very many sweets...but I just can't help myself here :)
Everyone in this town already knows us! People at the grocery store...shopkeepers...everyone. The island is so small that we take practically the same route everywhere, so we keep seeing the same people. I finally understand how it feels to live in a small town...
One of the most surprising things that has happened in the last four days is regarding food. I bet if I asked any of you for a common Greek dish you would either say gyros or hummus. You would be absolutely correct in saying gyros, but absolutely incorrect in saying hummus! Kristen and I went on a hunt for hummus at the grocery store and all the employees looked at us like we were crazy people! We tried pronouncing hummus in about four different ways and nobody knew what we were talking about. I couldn't believe it - my favorite Greek dish is not even Greek!
Today we are headed to Koufinissi, which is an island with a white sand beach. Kristen loves the white sand beaches that she visits in Florida with her family, so she wants to visit one (and show me their beauty!) in Greece. I can't wait to see the brilliant blue of the ocean against a white shore.
Until next time :)
Kristen and I have been staying in a charming hotel on the beach for the past four nights. The hotel is owned and operated by a friendly and loving Greek family who treats us like their daughters. They love us and we love them!
Our days have been filled with tanning on the beach, lounging on chairs in the hotel courtyard, sitting in the hotel jacuzzi, and riding around the ATV. We have started each day with a delightful breakfast that consists of the usual bread, feta, ham, fruit and yogurt as well as treats like small pieces of cherry pie and pistachio cake. I usual don't eat very many sweets...but I just can't help myself here :)
Everyone in this town already knows us! People at the grocery store...shopkeepers...everyone. The island is so small that we take practically the same route everywhere, so we keep seeing the same people. I finally understand how it feels to live in a small town...
One of the most surprising things that has happened in the last four days is regarding food. I bet if I asked any of you for a common Greek dish you would either say gyros or hummus. You would be absolutely correct in saying gyros, but absolutely incorrect in saying hummus! Kristen and I went on a hunt for hummus at the grocery store and all the employees looked at us like we were crazy people! We tried pronouncing hummus in about four different ways and nobody knew what we were talking about. I couldn't believe it - my favorite Greek dish is not even Greek!
Today we are headed to Koufinissi, which is an island with a white sand beach. Kristen loves the white sand beaches that she visits in Florida with her family, so she wants to visit one (and show me their beauty!) in Greece. I can't wait to see the brilliant blue of the ocean against a white shore.
Until next time :)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
MYKONOS AND SANTORINI
While Kristen and I were in Mykonos, we rented an ATV (all terrain vehicle) and drove around the Greek countryside looking for a beach called Fokos. We heard about this beach while talking with an Australian waiter at our hotel. Since I love to ride motorcycles, riding an ATV was a blast! Ultimately, we found the beach and it looked like something straight out of "Pirates of the Carribean." There were very few people sunning themselves on the beach, and there was only one tavern on the shore. We found out that this tavern could stay open only during the high season (when lots of tourists visit Mykonos), and the owners could make enough money to sustain themselves for the rest of the year! What a life :)
Now Kristen and I are in Santorini; it is absolutely beautiful here! Since Santorini is an elevated island, hotels and taverns are built into its side. In other words, the rooms in buildings are kindof like caves. Also, because buildings are at a lower elevation than the top of the island (which is often where the walkways exist), doorways accessible from the walkways look like they lead into nothing but the sky.
Yesterday, Kristen and I ran down 600 steps in order to catch a ferry to the active volcano that sits in the middle of the Caldera (circular bay on the west side of the island). We bought our tickets at 10:15 a.m. and the ferry left at 10:45 a.m., so we needed to rush! Donkeys blocked our path all the way down the steps; these donkeys were carrying people up from the port to which the steps led. Dodging people and donkeys (as well as donkey poop - gross!) all the way down the steps made me feel like I was in an obstacle course! Luckily, we made the ferry :)
Today, we are traveling to Naxos, which is another island in the Cyclades. More to come...
Now Kristen and I are in Santorini; it is absolutely beautiful here! Since Santorini is an elevated island, hotels and taverns are built into its side. In other words, the rooms in buildings are kindof like caves. Also, because buildings are at a lower elevation than the top of the island (which is often where the walkways exist), doorways accessible from the walkways look like they lead into nothing but the sky.
Yesterday, Kristen and I ran down 600 steps in order to catch a ferry to the active volcano that sits in the middle of the Caldera (circular bay on the west side of the island). We bought our tickets at 10:15 a.m. and the ferry left at 10:45 a.m., so we needed to rush! Donkeys blocked our path all the way down the steps; these donkeys were carrying people up from the port to which the steps led. Dodging people and donkeys (as well as donkey poop - gross!) all the way down the steps made me feel like I was in an obstacle course! Luckily, we made the ferry :)
Today, we are traveling to Naxos, which is another island in the Cyclades. More to come...
Friday, May 23, 2008
WE'RE HERE!!!
Kristen and I arrived in Athens last night and we were EXHAUSTED! Not including cat naps on the plane, we stayed up for a total of 32 hours. Recently, I stayed up for 35 hours to finish my senior design project, so I had some practice handling myself without too much sleep ;)
On the metro, I ran into my friend Ginny (Delta Gamma sister!), who is visiting Greece with Campus Crusade. We did not plan this and had not been in contact since about a week prior to my departure from Austin. It's amazing that we ended up in the same place at the same time! I'm so glad we did and I got to see her :)
Kristen and I visited the Acropolis today, which was impressive but most interesting not because of its ruins but because of its people watching! There were tourists there from all over the world - Brazil, Germany, and even Texas - and seeing them all in the same place made the world feel quite small. I have traveled before and this was not a new experience, but I enjoy it every time it happens to me :)
I ate souvlaki today (Kristen says it's like a hamburger in the form of a hotdog) and it was absolutely delicious! I also tasted Mythos, the native beer, and it was excellent and quite refreshing.
Tomorrow, Kristen and I will be riding a ferry to Mykonos. We reserved our spot in a beachside hotel there...I cannot wait to jump in the Mediterranean!
On the metro, I ran into my friend Ginny (Delta Gamma sister!), who is visiting Greece with Campus Crusade. We did not plan this and had not been in contact since about a week prior to my departure from Austin. It's amazing that we ended up in the same place at the same time! I'm so glad we did and I got to see her :)
Kristen and I visited the Acropolis today, which was impressive but most interesting not because of its ruins but because of its people watching! There were tourists there from all over the world - Brazil, Germany, and even Texas - and seeing them all in the same place made the world feel quite small. I have traveled before and this was not a new experience, but I enjoy it every time it happens to me :)
I ate souvlaki today (Kristen says it's like a hamburger in the form of a hotdog) and it was absolutely delicious! I also tasted Mythos, the native beer, and it was excellent and quite refreshing.
Tomorrow, Kristen and I will be riding a ferry to Mykonos. We reserved our spot in a beachside hotel there...I cannot wait to jump in the Mediterranean!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
OFF WE GO!
I could not sleep last night because I was so excited. I got out of bed and got dressed before Kristen had even woken up and drank her daily cup of coffee. When she came downstairs, Kristen was laughing at me because my purse was on and I was ready to go about two hours prior to our departure for the airport. I tried on my backpack...the only luggage item that I am taking on the trip...to see how heavy it was. Kristen joked that it was bigger than me :)
I can't believe we're finally going. Kristen and I have been planning this trip since last summer; she's been dying to go for half her life. We will be there for five weeks. People have asked what our plan is; I respond exactly the same each time - to BE in Greece. Kristen and I simply want to enjoy life on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Our flight leaves at 4:30 p.m. We will arrive in London tomorrow morning. Athens will greet us tomorrow night.
Check for updates and I'll see y'all in five weeks!
I can't believe we're finally going. Kristen and I have been planning this trip since last summer; she's been dying to go for half her life. We will be there for five weeks. People have asked what our plan is; I respond exactly the same each time - to BE in Greece. Kristen and I simply want to enjoy life on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Our flight leaves at 4:30 p.m. We will arrive in London tomorrow morning. Athens will greet us tomorrow night.
Check for updates and I'll see y'all in five weeks!
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