My Big Fat Greek Vacation

A while back, there was a thread about dream vacations. Mine was a cruise through the Greek islands. I got back a couple of weeks ago. Here is some of what I found.



This is the view of the caldera in Santorini from Tira, the capital city.


The two-masted boat is the Pantheon, my ride...


The Pantheon is a 165 ft. motorsailer. It was quite different from the usual cruise ship. With a crew of 17, there were a total of 43 passengers, so over the course of a week, I got to know everyone who was onboard. The day we were in Santorini, the big ships were unable to get to the island due to weather. We had the whole place to ourselves. It was really great.



This was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, in Athens.



These two are photos of the Parthenon.


I'm getting some photos up of my visit to the Athens Central Market next. There must have been close to a thousand stalls, selling everything from lamb, produce, wild game, cheese, olives and nuts.

Pete, My dream vacation was when I was 14.. my mom, sister and I backpacked thru Europe starting in London, then Paris, the South of France, Italy, Greece then Israel.. I really would love to take my son as he's of that age.... ... Dreaming again..LOL

Ian's Mom

Great Photos Pete. I am looking forward to your market visit! Keep 'em coming!

While I was stationed in Berlin, 3 0f us took a month leave and spent itexploring Grece. That was back in 75 and the dollar was so strong we lived like kings! We rented litle motorcycles for less than $199 for the month. Id say it was the best time I ever had. I just regret that over the years i lost all my momentos. The picures, flokait and other things I brought back. We probably spent less for the whole trip than it cost now for a couple day.
britt

Amazing so far....

Can't wait to see the food! The sights are looking good so far.

Nice report Pete...I've travelled to many places in Europe...but never Greece, and I'm dying to see the islands like Santorini...I'm jealous...thanks so much for sharing!!!

Poverty(NOT)Pete, Now that is the way to travel. Now I know what you mean when you said dream vacation.

Waiting for more.......

Hey Pete..THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS

Where are the pictures of the naked ladies?????????

Way to tease us. I am really looking forward to this report.

Patience, Bush-hopper...

What a first class way to travel. I liked the boat very much or should I say yacht.

Looking forward to the food pics particularly the market.

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

Hey, why go all the way to Greece to see the Partheonon, when you have one right in Nashville!

Beautiful photos so far and I can't wait to see the rest. It really does look like a dream vacation!

Pete - Those crew to passenger odds must have made for a great trip...also, with 43 pax, it's pretty neat to get to meet and swap stories with everyone. Looking forward to the next round...thanks!

OK, We have to lure PP into writing the final chapter.... Here's an Appetizer he was keeping for himself !!

Whatever it is, it looks good.

Paul E. smith
knoxville, tn

That's a typical plate of Mezedes...
tomato, olive, cucumber, meatballs, fish roe on bread, and battered and fried Sardines. The Sardines were especially good.

Now we move on to the Central Market in Athens.


Here's me on Santorini having an Erdinger weissbier at 10:00 a.m..Hey, I'm on vacation, right?



At the market, they leave the feet and tail on the rabbit, so people know what they're getting.



I don't think these goats were having nearly as good a day as I was.



The squid in the background were the size of a baseball bat.



There were countless varieties of fish on ice.



The best thing I had on the whole trip was sliced octopus, grilled and served with garlic and olive oil.




At the Captain's farewell dinner, we were served shrimp, lamb tenderloin, and the ever-present broiled potatos.




Having spent a couple of hours at this liquor store, sampling lots of product, I left behind a large bag filled with wheels of cheese, sardines, and souvenirs. When I got back to my hotel, there was a message on my phone from this lovely clerk, telling me to come back to get my stuff.




On the boat in Santorini, as the sun sets over the caldera.

Poverty (first class pete). Thanks for the explanation.

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

So far, so good!!! Waiting with baited breath for more....

It looks like a wonderful trip..............did anyone get seasick when the waters were rough? This is the one trip that my husband always wanted to take but never got to it. It looks like his idea of a wonderful trip was right.

Looks like a lot of fun. Do you have any pictures of the sleeping arrangements?...Russ

That is too Cool!!
Can't wait for more!

quote:

Originally posted by Russ Jackson

Looks like a lot of fun. Do you have any pictures of the sleeping arrangements?...Russ

There is NO truth to the rumor that Hillary snuck into my cabin. Even if she had, we wouldn't have taken time out to snap photos.

Bushie,
I've seen some of the Belly Dancers photos. Maybe if you "beg anD grovel" PP will post some !

The liquor store really has a colorful selection...what's in all those different color bottles?

ChiTownDiner, that was the most unique liquor store I've ever been in. Here in the USA, we have brewpubs, and we like our beer. In Greece, they like their ouzo, but as far as I could find, there is only one ouzopub in the country. The difference between Bretto's and other ouzo's is like the difference between a great brewpub and Coors. Besides ouzo, Bretto's also makes a variety of liquours and brandies. I brought back a bottle of raisin brandy which has all the punch of a brandy, but a little residual sweetness, as well.
Oh, I nearly forget, while I was sampling all these goodies, I had a Cuban Partagas, which goes well with almost anything.

I think PP met what many of us would have considered "The Perfect Girl"...Beautiful, Communicative, and works in a Liquor Store! Now if we knew about her social habits and customs we could approve of his attempts at extending his visit for some time!

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen


Bushie,
I've seen some of the Belly Dancers photos. Maybe if you "beg anD grovel" PP will post some !

I've been groveling since he returned. He's a tough nut...