Athens
Mia, Piper, Lily, Pappou & Yiayia
 


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Greece 2021

Greece | Sifnos | Kefallinia | Zakynos | Athens | Mani | Kalamata | Dhyrrachi | Messini | Athens2

Tuesday, July 28, 2021.

From the Athens airport, Charlie and I walked accross the street, as always, to the Metro to Syntagma Square. We had to go up a long, fast escalator to the railway track. I was ahead dragging one suitcase. Charlie had the larger one. At the top of the stairs, Charlie's suitcase fell backwards. Charlie tried to grab it but fell backwards on the top of the moving elevator. A nice man helped Charlie get up and I grabbed the suitcase, which banged into my legs. Charlie's right arm and my shins were bleeding. We staggered to a bench and got out the first-air kit, a gift from Charlie's friend Tori that she had given him the day before. We mopped up all the blood, and got on the train.
Charlie was calm, and his calm has always calmed me!

We got a taxi from Syntagma Square to as close to the Adonis Hotel as the taxi driver could drive. It was burning hot, 103 degrees in Athens. I sat in the shade and had lemonade while Charlie walked to the hotel and signed us in. When he got back, we ordered tzadziki and lots of water, then walked up the hill to the hotel.

Later, we took a taxi, instead of the usual Metro, to our wonderful Tsoutsouras cousins, Costas, Georgia, Panayioti and Vasiliki, and we were able to completely relax on their roof garden for dinner.

I met Panayioti and Vasiliki forty years ago when Charlie took me to Greece for the first time.
Since then they have been our favorite cousins.


Wednesday, July 29 2021. Panayioti booked our ferry to the island of Sifnos. We had been there at least twice before, staying at the Acacia Lodgings of Eleni and Nikos, Athens neighbors and friends of Panayioti's family. We took a taxi to Pireas and waited on a cement bench for the 3:30 ferry. So, when we made it to our assinged seats on an air-conditioned boat, we were able to relax and enjoy water and a funny pizza slices. We even fell asleep on those comfortable reclining chairs.



Charlie

Bette
Waiting for the Ferry to Sifnos
Sifnos
Sifnos! View from the Ferry


Sifnos

Sifnos
George (he told us to call him Aki) was waiting for us when we disembarked and took us to their "Acacia Lodgings."
Aki gave Charlie one of his bathing suits and they went for a swim in the ocean.
Later he took us to a neighboring town to get essential pharmacy stuff (which I had forgotten to pack).
We had dinner at 11:45 p.m. in Aki's favorite Sifnos Araxoboli Restaurant by the water.


Wednesday, July 29th


Our Sifnos Apartment

Outside our Apartment



Sifnos at Night from Our Apartment

Sifnos View from Our Apartment
 

Our Sifnos Street

Tnursday, July 30th

Friday, July 31, 2021. I bandaged my gouges, one on front calf on each leg, with clean new bandages. Charlie's wounds seem to be healing.
Aki got our SIM card all set up on our phoness, so we could call each other and Panayioti.
We stopped to visit Aki's parents, Eleni and Nikos. They plied us withl delicious healthy treats as well as sandwiches, fruits and vegetables. They are the nicest people! We walked around their wonderful gardens. They gave us a car to use, so we drove down to Sifnos Beach. We had dinner again at Araxoboli. A beautiful evening.


Figs

Pomogranite

Grapes

Pomogranite Bush
&
&

Charlie, what are you thinking?

Friday, August 1

We drove down to Sifnos Beach, and relaxed in the sun!
Walked in the water a few times, ate fresh cherries and drank sparkling water.

Sifnos Beach

Sifnos Beach

Sifnos Beach

Back to the Beach for a lovely afternoon!

Sifnos Beach Sifnos Beach
 
Sifnos Beach Sifnos Beach


Saturday, August 2
A Special Dinner!

A totally awesome evening! The Diaremes family had a special dinner for us on the rooftop garden.
a dinner fit for celebraties! Lemon soup, fresh grouper caught by Aki, assorted vegetables and fruits,
many small Greek dishes to choose from--all delicious! The whole family was there, Eleni, Nick, Aki, Irene, and her boyfriend. Dinner began after sunset and ended at 11:30. What a perfect evening. I love these people!
 
Eleni
Eleni
Nikos
Nikos
The kindest, most thoughtful generous couple!


Sifnose Dinner
The most wonderful Greek meal!


 
Sifnos Dinner Sifnos Dinner
Eleni, Nikos, Aki, Costas, Irene & her boyfriend.


Costas Bette

Sunday, August 3, 2021


Mass at the Tiny Chapel on Sifnos Beach

We each lit one.


Repacked Everything. Stopped by Eleni's to thank them and say Good-by. She had tea, coffee, pastries & fruit for us!
It was sad leaving these wonderful people and this beautiful place.
Aki drove us to Sifnos Beach. We stopped for water and sat by the beach, then walked up the street to the ferry.
A fast ferry, and way too windy to stay on the deck. We each fell asleep on the comfortable seats that lay back.
Arrived at the Adonis at 3:00.
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Charlie left to meet Mia, Lily, and Piper at the airport. He took a taxi because
103 degrees was too hot for foot and metro travel.

Just as I came down to the lobby, they appeared!
Like a tiny Miracle! Mia, Lily and Piper!

Sifnos Beach
We walked up Voulos Street, and stopped for lemonade, non-alcoholic beer, snacks and my favorite afternoon treat, freddo cappuccino.
Athens Athens
Later we strolled down the Plaka till we reached Pappou's choice for dinner,
filafel, dolmardos, tomato cucumer salad, and fried eggplant. I took a taxi back to the Adonis, and they all walked back.
My legs had had enough walking for one evening.
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To Kefallinia

Monday, August 4, 2021


Charlie and I took a taxi to Hertz on Segrou Street to pick up our car, then picked up Mia, Lily and Piper at the Adonis.
 
Watermelons
On the way to the Piraes Port, Charlie risked his life to stop and run across a main highway to buy two watermelons from a man in a truck.
The nice man helped Charlie carry the watermelons safely to our car.
 
Ferry Ticket
Ferry Ticket to Kefallinia
 
Yard Yard

Kefallinia August 4

Yard
A Watermelon Treat!
 


Kefallinia

Our Airbnb "Villa Acquia"!

Home Yard
 
House Myrtos Beach
 
House Myrtos Beach


After breakfast, we drove to Myrtos Beach.
It's a very long walk and a difficult drive from the road down to the beach. The only two lounge chairs with umbrellas left on the beach were waiting for us!
This beach is just as beautiful as when we were here with Deahn, Charlotte and Laura, when Charlotte was 12 and Laura was 8. Then, we were the only ones on the beach
 
Myrtos Myrtos
Myrtos Beach
 
Myrtos Myrtos Beach

We stopped at a perfect taverna, Vegera Taverna! A beautiful spot all by itself in the mountains.
Only one other couple was there. The setting and decor were perfect, and the lunch was a real treat!
 
Tsoutsouras Tsoutsouras


Vegera Taverna Vegera Taverna
Vegera Taverna Vegera Taverna


Our Last Evening in kefallinia

We drove down to the shore to spend the evening. Mia and the girls went to the shops. Charlie and I stopped for coffee, iced cappuccino and pastries.
 
Church Church


We walked across the street to the Church just in time for Vespers. A 12-year-old boy was one of the chanters. He had the voice of an angel.
 
Church Church
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Zakynos

Monday, August 4, 2021

Charlie
For breakfast, we had Charlie's scrambled eggs, great bread and jam, honey dew melon. coffee and tea.
Then we packed up drove to Poros for the ferry back to thr port of Killini for the ferry to Zakynos.


Ferry


On the Way

Tsoutsouras
"Queen of Zakynos"
Our Zakynos Home
 
Zakynos Zakynos
 
A totally relaxing place!
 
Zakynos Zakynos
 
Zakynos Zakynos
 
Zakynos Zakynos
 
Zakynos Zakynos
 
Zakynos Zakynos
Charlie took Mia and the girls on a sightseeing drive, which included a long walk and lunch.
I stayed home to swim!
 
Tsoutsouras
 
Zakynos Zakynos
 
Tsoutsouras Tsoutsouras
 
Tsoutsouras
A sweet stop.
Tsoutsouras
Tsoutsouras Tsoutsouras
 
Dinner by the Beach
 
We relaxed and truly enjoyed out quiet stay at the "Queen of Zakynos."
 
Tsoutsouras Tsoutsouras
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Corinth

Monday, August 4, 2021

On the way back to Athens we stopped in Corinth.

 
Corinth Corinth
 
Corinth
 
Coffee in the Mountains Charlie the fortune teller
 

We had just enough time before picking up John, Charles and Kate to drive and meet Panayioti and Vasiliki
at a village at the bottom of their summer home mountain.

 
Corinth
We LOVE Panayioti & Vasiliki!
Panayioti Vasiliki
 
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Back in Athens

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Plaka Church
 
Charlie and I went to Mass in the Greek Orthodox Church right up the street from Hotel Adonis.
Plaka Church Plaka Church
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Finally! Mia, Lily & Piper with us in Greece!

Athens
A joyful time!
Athens
Pals forever!
 
Athens
Mia & John
Athens
Lily & Piper
 
Athens
Mia, Lily, Kate, Charles, Pappou, Bette and Piper at a lovely vegetarian restaurant.
 
Athens
Andrew & Molly!
Athens
Charles & Kate!
 
Adonis
From the Adonis roof Restaurant
Adonis
 
 
Coffee in the Mountains Charlie the fortune teller
On the Plaka: John's feeling underdressed!
 
Charlie, Andrew, Molly
A wonderful surprise! Molly and Andrew, travelling with friends, joined us in Athens.
 
Athens
Lily, Kate, Molly, Bette & Mia
Athens
Andrew & Molly always bring smiles!
 
Athens Athens
Mia, the ideal traveling companion!
 
Morgans Acropolis
Piper, Lily, John, Charles & Kate -------->and Mia
Mia Acropolis
 
Charlie, Andrew, Molly
This time in Greece with our family. A beautiful miracle!
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To Mani

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Mani Mani

Mani

Charlie, Andrew, Molly Charlie, Andrew, Molly
 
What makes Mani an unusual and beautiful part of Greece are the homes, the churches, and buildings, all made of small stones.
 
Mani
The stones on the bottom of this Church might have been part of the original church.
 
Mani Mani
 
We couldn't leave Mani without a beach stop and a treat.
 
Mani
 
Kastro Mani Hotel, the only ultra modern structure we encountered in Mani.
 
Mani Mani
 
Kastro Mani Hotel, beautifully furnished, a magnificant pool area.
 
Mani
 
We encountered very few guests during our stay.
 
Mani Mani
Mani
In contrast to our hotel atmosphere, the town Festival was a delight!
Mani
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Charlie & Bette to Kalamata



We always stay at a hotel on Kalamata Beach when we visit Charlie's mother's village, Dhyrrachi, because it's right at the bottom of the long drive to the top of the mountain.

While here Charlie called a cousin, Maskoula. She invited us to meet her and her husband John for drinks in the garden of the Hotel Filoxenia where they were staying. It was just a short ride along the beach from our hotel. We spent a lovely memoraable evening with them.
 
Mani Mani
 
Mani
 
Mani Mani
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Messini. A Beautiful Day at Analipsi Beach
with our Tsoutsouras cousins.

Messini
Nefely
Messini
Nefely & her Mother Demeter
 
Messini
Bette & Nefely
 
Messini
Costas, Vasiliki & Panayioti
Messini
Charlie, Demeter & George
 
Messini Beach Messini Beach
 
Messini
Lunch at the Beach restaurant. A perfect Day!
Nefely, Charlie, George, Demeter, Costas. Panayioti & Vasiliki
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Dhyrrachi

We celebrated this August 15th in Charlie's Mother's Village.

Dhyrrachi Dhyrrachi
 
Liturgy of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the little mountain church near Dhyrrachi
 
Dhyrrachi Dhyrrachi
 
With Family &Friends. (Charlie is in shorts and I'm in the same outfit
every day because I did a bad job packing)
 
Dhyrrachi
After Church Maskoula and John invited us to their Dhyrrachi Home.
 
Dhyrrachi
Maskoula and John
Dhyrrachi
John, Costas, Maskoula and Bette
 
Dhyrrachi
A remnant of old Dhyrrachi
 

A Visit to the Original Dhyrrachi School

Dhyrrachi
The Old School Desks
 
 
Dhyrrachi
Teaching Math
Dhyrrachi
Teaching Biology
 
Dhyrrachi
Maskoula Teaching Greek History and Geography
Dhyrrachi
Bette Teaching English
 
Messini
Maskkoula and Charlie in the library. Maskoula's husband John Kourafas is the author of Many of these books.

Family Dinner at the beautiful home of Panayiota and Theodore Kourafas

Every August 15th Children and Grandchildren come back to the Village to celebrate this great feast with a family dinner, to which we were invited.
It was the highlight of our visit!
 
Dhyrrachi
Panayiota and Costas
Dhyrrachi
Panayiota and Theodore
 
Dhyrrachi Dhyrrachi
 
 
Winery
A memorable August 15th! A memorable dinner with a beautiful family!
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Athens. Our last Day
In the morning we went to the Athens Plaza Hotel for coffee and baklava.
In the afternoon, we visited the wonderful National Art Museum.

The Museum

Museum
 
Museum
"Nikephoros Lystras" (the woman's name)
 
Museum
"Kifissia" (a Greek village)
 
Museum
"Greeks Expressing Gratitude": Greek Indpendence Day, March 25th. Gratitude for the Greek people's successful struggle against the Ottoman Empire (1821-1830)
 
Museum
"Young Artist"
 
Museum
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Our Last Dinner in Greece
at OIWVOS, our favorite Plaka restaurant

Last Day
Our waiter surprised us with two glasses of Ouzo.
 
Last Day Last Day
 
Last Day
Charlie, what are you thinking?
 
Charlie, Andrew, Molly
The next day as our plane was leaving Athens, Charlie looked at me and said, "This was a perfect trip!"
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Bette
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