Santorini shots

Hi folks,

Here are a few nice shots from our Santorini visit.

First, there's CJ, the quintessential tourist on board the fast catameran ferry from Crete to Santorini.

We paid 15 Euros extra for "business class" and shared the upper deck with 2 other couples. Two friendly crew members served us frapaccino's during the trip. The rest of the passengers were packed like sardines below. We got some "inside scoop" from one of the crew, about the sunken cruise ship off the Santorini port.





and here's the view through our toes in our "upgraded room" at the Blue Dolphins:

Amazing vistas along our walk into Fira



and a nice group shot with Cathy, one of our fellow hotel-mates (from Australia):














We enjoyed a lovely visit to the Santos Winery, sampled some nice white wines with a plate of bread, cheese and olives and enjoyed the amazing view.










And then finished the day watching the sunset at Amoudie (below Oia) at the north tip of the island. This is a very active fishing port, and we were able to watch the fisherman come in while eating dinner at one of the little tavernas along the port.

Three nights in Santorini and then up early (no one mentioned the beautiful Santorini sunrise!) to the airport and off to Athens.


hope you're all well, 'till next time,

K & CJ.

Arrived in Santorini

Hi folks, Kathy here...just a quick post for now, as we've just spent 1 1/2 hours in an internet cafe uploading photos (ok,... and listening to nice music and sipping wine while we worked...)

Just wanted to let you know we've arrived in Santorini. Had a very comfortable ride on the fast Catermaran (2 hrs) and the Blue Dolphin is wonderful (thank you Carole & Wendy for the tip!). When we arrived, the fellow at the hotel reception informed us that our room had been "upgraded" to a Jacuzzi suite! Aside from the beautiful big tub with jets, we have a balcony looking over the harbour, the volcano (island) and the rest of the village below. The extra bedroom serves just fine as a "dressing room"....

OK... so we've uploaded a few photos (attached to the earlier posts), so please go have a look. Just to give you some added motivation, you'll get the rare chance to see CJ in a skirt (first and last time this decade, she says).

Hope you're all well. Thanks to all of you who've left comments, it's great to know that you're out there reading our posts.

love,
K & CJ.

Crete, Chania et al...

Hi all,

CJ here. (Kathy's off shopping:-) It's a beautiful day and we're in a beautiful place... let me tell you how we got here. On Saturday morning (early) we flew from Istanbul to Athens...and then to Chania on Crete. Helen (wife of Kirk : friends of Laurie and Lionel) met us at the airport. She was just great...showed us about Chania and gave us lots of information and tips about traveling in Crete. Chania has a really pretty little port/harbour. Kirk was away sailing/racing for the weekend but returned home Sunday afternoon.

Here's the amazing view from Helen and Kirk's rooftop... CJ and Helen were watching Kirk come around an island off Chania in the sailing race.

We joined the sailing group for a marvelous lunch at a local taverna....it was great fun and good food. Helen and Kirk were wonderful .. shared their home with us and drove us all over as we sorted out a car rental and other domestic things. We decided to hire a car and take off on Monday morning (which we did) in order to do what we do best - explore by following our nose. We set off Monday morning - brilliant blue sky and sunshine...and drove south from Chania through some beautiful interior territory (olive groves, sheep, goats(shepherds 'n all), mountains, valleys, narrow winding roads) to the south coast... guided (as usual) by our gastronomic needs... we had a super lunch in a beautiful little village called Sfakion (something like that)... the water colours are amazing and, being just before the main season, we had great service and a choice of tables... We then carried on along the coastal road (still narrow, still winding, but oh so beautiful)...and drove ourselves to Plakias... another town (somewhat larger but a lot like a cross between White Rock and Birch Bay) which had been out destination. We'd heard of a place called Anna's Apartments (look it up on the 'net).. located in a village (Mirthios) up the mountain and overlooking Plakias. We found them. Anna's was a good as their web-site photos...but they were fully booked...except (our luck holds) for one apt. available for only 2 nightes...just exactly what we needed... You can picture this: There we were at 1630 yesterday, sitting on our little stone patio with a cold beer in hand...gazing out over the most magnificant vista of blue, blue water...wind-whipped in some places but as aqua-marine as you can imagine.... lazing in the sun.... and then, when we were good and ready... it was shower time...and then, when the mood took us we were off to the local Taverna - right across the road - rumoured to have great food.... And we did... and it did. It's kind of neat here... when the waiter comes to welcome you.. he also invites you into the kitchen to view the daily specials.. it's a great way to help decide what to order.. no surprises... Oh yes.. one more thing before signing off... Kath and I are conducting our own personal survey of Raki vs. Ouzo vs. Grappa.... we've learned that Ouzo is best served throughout the meal...having diluted it with some water and using it to cleanse your palat between tapas...whereas Raki is ingested after the meal.... just to make sure it stays down I guess... anyway, grappa awaits our attendion in Italy.... Oh and one more thing..we've changed our plans a bit.. decided we've had enough museums and ancient sites for a little while and have decided to go from here to Santorini (by fast cat) for a few days (and to shorten our visit to Athens)... so, if you're looking for us we'll be at the Blue Dolphin Apts. (we'll let you know how the cruise ship recovery operation is going). On Santorini.... from Thursday to Sunday... and then we head to Athens to connect with our flight for Rome.... Guess that's it for now...ttfn..xoxo CJ and Kathy

Here's a picture of some of the beautiful flowers in bloom in Plakias.... so THAT's how geraniums are supposed to grow!

And here's a picture of CJ in the (required) skirt at our visit to the Moni Prevelli monostery. near Plakias. The monks in this monostery (at great risk to themselves) helped the allied forces evacuate from Crete after the German's invaded during the battle of Crete in WWII.

Last night in Istanbul

Hello our friends....well, the time has come to finally try and fit everything back into our packs.... We've had a very interesting time here in Istanbul...some good, some 'interesting'. On the 'down' side, Kathy and I have learned that neither of us is very comfortable in confined quarters with carpet salesmen and other salesmen...pushing aggressively into our 'space'. Having said that, we still ventured into the 'Grand Bazaar' and made our way through the throngs of shoppers and sellers and hawksters.... Some were friendly, most were quite aggressive... but in our own Canadian way we tread as softly as possible as we wound our way through the very intricate 'two step' required to survive this 'adventure'. We found the Spice Market (having braved the tram and highways - jaywalking...rather jay-running - a must) to be somewhat 'softer' in the approach of the sellers and actually, for the first time, bought something...not much mind you..we seem to be saving our pennies for Greece, Sardinia and France...

On the 'up' side.... after accepting we are not natural 'shoppers' and didn't really care to purchase a carpet, we backed off into the side-curtains and 'took a breath'. We walked along the seaside...rather the side of the highway, bordered on one side by the confluence of the Sea of Marmera, the Bosphorous Sea and the Golden Horn... Check it out on your atlas if you can, cuz we have never seen such a busy water-way.... ships of all sizes... freighters three times bigger than our cruise ships, fishing boats the size of our dinghies ... and ferries of all sizes whizzing back and forth... The freigher captains 'drive' their ships just like the taxi drivers here...full speed ahead, then a hard right and...damn the consquences... the wakes criss-crossing the water would cause a 'normal' sized sailboat to broach. And there were naval ships at anchor, and soldiers with uziis guarding who knows what...very important we're sure... for instance, at the palace we toured this afternoon (summer home of the last Sultan)... there were armed guards at posts all around it and formal 'changing of the guards' on a regular basis.... and woe betide anyone who took photos without asking. Now.... let me take you to an entirely different place...

When we got back to our hotel this afternoon, the sun was on the terrace, the beer was cold and our feet were tired...so, you guessed it, off to the terrace with a cold beer we went. Kind of handy that it's right across the hall from our room. Anyway, there we sat enjoying the sun and the view of the still very busy harbour...and right in front of us (well actually a few blocks away,,,but still close) a pod of dolphins moved through the area.... there is no doubt in our mind that this Sea of Marmera still supports a lot of fish...actively feeding seagulls, dolphins working back and forth along the shore...and very active fish markets - attest to that observation.

I've probably talked too much...and don't want to bore you... so will wind up now. We've had a good time here in Istanbul.. certainly have experienced the 'old town'... did I tell you about the calls to prayers (at 0515, 08ish, 1715ish and 2015ish)... ? There are loudspeakers on the towers surrounding each mosque...and they blast out the 'call to prayers' which is a very interesting blend of 'song'.... Anyway, tomorrow is a new day and we must finish packing... we've had a good time and/but are both looking forward to some calm and some quiet..hopefully on a warm beach in Crete. Helen and Kirk, folks Laurie and Lionel met along theway, are going to meet us at the Crete airport and 'keep' us for a day or two... help us rent a car and figure out where to go and what to see...hopefully it will mostly be warm sand, blue skies and cold beers.

Will write again when opportunity arises... not too sure when that will be.... Hope you're all well. Lynda (Dee) got your e-mail thanks.... Hugs to everyone.... xoxoxo CJ (and Kathy)..

Surviving Istanbul Taxi Drivers

Istanbul is a huge contrast to Vienna.

The Viennese are very nice and treated us well, but they are quite reserved.

Our hotel desk fellow "Mahmet" has been like a big brother to us (and to all the other guests)... when we first arrived, he insisted on carrying our luggage up the three flights of spiral stairs and then invited us down for a drink and a chat. He sat us down with a glass of Turkish tea (chai) and showed us all sorts of options for what to do during our stay... recommended an honest carpet seller and a few good restaurants to try. Mahmet used to be a manager of a hostel in another, more southern city of Turkey, which is where he learned to speak English. That is why he speaks with a very distinct Australian accent... since most of the guests there were from Australia. It's funny to hear a Turkish fellow say "no worries, mate!" :-)

We just got back from dinner at a "Meyene" style restaurant (Turkish Tapas) across the Gallata bridge (other side of the Golden Horn) from the old city of Sultanahmet where we are staying. We had a wonderful meal and met a Parisean family who have been walking everywhere. It seems that they have walked further than many people go by tour bus!

The taxi drivers here are crazy! The restaurant arranged for a taxi for us, so we didn't get ripped off coming home. (Marg H. ... you'll remember that infamous New Year's Eve taxi ride back to our "home stay" in Costa Rica, where the return trip cost us 8 times the trip to the restaurant?) Anyway, we figure that, for Turkish taxi drivers, the most important part of the car is the brakes, followed closely by the horn. It was a very fast trip, with most of it being on the bumper of the car ahead of us. We had to focus on looking out the side windows, 'cause looking straight ahead was too scary!

We're here for two more full days and then leaving for Crete on Saturday. Looking forward to some time at the beach. (It's really cold here - we had rain today!).

We took a few nice photos of the Ayasofya Museum/Church , Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace today... will try to upload them to share with you tomorrow.

Gardens and fountain in front of the Aya Sophya.

Flowers and K in front of the Blue Mosque.

take care everyone... hugs and kisses....
Kathy

Picture this... Istanbul '07

Hi everyone... pardon my spelling as the keyboards here are quite different. And... contrary to what Ron thinks (tee hee)... we didn't cart our laptop this far... so we just hop on the internet when a computer is available. We've been lucky so far as our hotels have each had one in the lobby that we're welcome to use. We're having a great time, but I must admit being a traveller in countries so different sure does make you kind of timid. Let me backtrack a bit to Vienna. It was a very interesting visit. The Lippizzaners were absolutely fabulous...even better than we had imagined. The only seats in the house that were better than ours, were the two seated in front of us. Kathy really is skilled at looking after us...and she had us seated at the head of the arena - as if we were royalty (it was actually called the Royal Box). I won't get started about the performances as I could go on for hours. Suffice to say it was an emotional and memorable experience...one which we'll never forget. We also took a boat trip up the Blue Danube river.... it was very nice and we got to see the newer part of Vienna (as usual for us, we're staying in the old part). On our final evening we had a lovely dinner, complete with weinerschnitzel and schnapps. Our main impression of old Vienna was architecture (particularly huge palaces and buildings) and statues everywhere.....of every description. The other thing that impressed us a lot was their transportation system...really quite efficient.. we even took the underground from our hotel to the airport...and actually got there in time to catch our plane. And now (Wed) we're in Istanbul... at the Apricot Hotel... a quaint, small hotel in the old part of Istanbul (Sultanahmet)... only a block from the Blue Mosque in fact we look out our room window at the Blue Mosque (complete with calls to prayers at 0530 hrs that blow you right out of bed !) and across the hall from our room is the hotel terrace where we have a view of the Sea of Marmera with freighers and ferries coming and going continuously. Breakfast is served on the terrace every morning and the selection is great..yogurt, breads, fruits and veggies and freshly made eggs of at least 6 varieties. (we're definitely not losing weight on this trip so far!) We've toured the Blue Mosque this morning and are off to see another mosque now. Tomorrow we have yet more to see and (believe it or not) Kathy has convinced me we can't leave Turkey without having a Turkish bath (yikes!)... more on that later. We'll add some photos when we have time...hope you're all well..and thanks to those who have written...we really like to hear from home... there's a way to add your comments to this blog...please feel free. Love you all... CJ and Kathy

Vienna - Day 1

Day One... and are we ever tired. But, the weather´s fantastic and, despite our tiredness, we´re having fun. This morning, we slept far longer than planned...but had a great breakfast (here in our hotel - which I hadn´t mentioned but is an older, well maintained and clean B&B style hotel right in downtown Vienna). Anyway, once we got going we hit the Museum of Music and then walked up to the Hofburg Palace and surrounding grounds and buildings. Everywhere you look, the buildings are amazing! They´re older than we can begin to imagine, and the intricate statues, engravings and trims boggle the mind. This part of Vienna is also the oldest.... and the buildings are stacked right up against each other... very old, very clean and more historical than our (relatively speaking) new country can compare to. We toured the Lippezaner museum and made sure we know where to go tomorrow (we have tickets to the Spanish Riding School show) and then, on the way back, we stopped in at St Peter´s Cathedral. This site dates back to 400 AD and has seen at least 3 churches built and re-built over time. The current one was completed in the mid-1600´s. They´ve been saying mass here for 1600 years. There is a photo below of part of the inside. It is described as the best example of Baroque architecture that Vienna has to offer. After our visit with St Peter, we made our way back to our hotel...stopping, of course, for a cool one at an Austrialian Pub... we also enjoyed several street-entertainers and have photos to share with you when we get home. The photos below show Kathy in front of one of the many statues surrounding the Albertina Museum: CJ standing in front of the one of the gardens at the Hofburg Palace, and one of several photos showing the intricate architecture and design inside St. Peters. Tomorrow we have tickets to see the Lippizzaners, after which we will have a quiet afternoon. Monday we plan to see a few more museums and take a tour up the Danube (by boat of course). Hope you´re all well... bye bye for now. CJ and Kathy

Vienna - We made it !

Hello friends - well, we made it... the flight was long but KLM gets our vote as a great airline. The plane was clean, the service was friendly, the food was good and plentiful (even the drinks were free) and we got to see two movies.... We had to wait over 4 hours in Amsterdam for our connecting flight, but they had some comfortable chairs so we slept... On the flight to Vienna we sat next to a Deputy Chief from Amsterdam...so that was kind of neat. We chatted about (guess what) policing...and the difference over here between forces... (militaristic vs. 'community oriented'). He also gave us an interesting perspective on the history of Vienna. Anyway, the weather is beautiful....unseasonably warm and sunny and, after a long sleep...and a great breakfast... we're off on our first walk-about (PS: already sampled the weinerschnitzel and local beer last night). Hope you're all well.. ttfn... CJ & Kathy

Easter Sunday - Final Packing

Hi,

Welcome to our blog. :-)

Here it is ... Easter Sunday morning already ... we are now on the final countdown to the start of our excellent European adventure. We will be leaving from Vancouver Airport on Thursday, April 12th around 7 pm.

While we don't plan on spending too much time in front of computers over the next six weeks, we do hope to get a few moments, here and there, to maintain a diary of our trip. Since CJ thinks much better with her hands on a keyboard, we thought she'd enjoy posting her diary to this blog. If we get the chance, I'll upload a photo or two to share with you all.

Hope you'll enjoy taking the journey with us!

cheers,

Kathy & CJ.