27 - 30 September 2013

So here we are once more I, working on my artwork and Ron off to his expedition, discovery and
socializing with locals and expats!

He returned home ready for a wonderful fresh Greek Salad a cool glass of Beer and some absolutely delicious cool white grapes that looked like they could easily be as sweet as any baklava desert!

The result of his excursion is as follows:

This one belongs to the house adjacent to the church, I guess the priest's house.

We decided in the afternoon to walk up to the top of the hill where we live and go on the other side which looks towards the town and port as well as the Peloponnese.

The view was just spectacular, the sea was calm and it was so quiet.

Suddenly we started hearing bells, and people cheering, only to find out that across in Galatas (Peloponnese)
there was a wedding, we found out there is a wedding every Saturday.

This is the view near our house which is around
the bend from town. There is a small lovely church there, we will visit it soon.

So, as we started going to the house after dinner, we passed by the cultural center where there was a performance by a guest artist from Berlin, we parked and sat across from him (across the street from the side walk) where the boats were docked, they had small tables and chairs serving drinks.

It was marvelous, his voice was wonderful, he sang ballads, American folk songs and some European songs. He admitted this was the Best stage Ever, on the sidewalk, with all of us across the street!

We walked into the cultural center at one point to see the artwork that was displayed and I saw this telephone that took me back a few years, right?

The next morning the sea was like glass, we decided after breakfast to go to the beach as for sure the wind would change eventually.

The water was indeed as clear as can be, we actually could see the fish swim around our feet, too bad I do not have the type of camera that could catch one while in front of me

!

I collected this pebble from the beach as it looked like a tree, don't you think?

I spent most of the day painting once we returned from the beach, it was a wonderful day once more.

Hard to believe this is the last day of September.

How can it be, it obviously does not feel like it, even though the weather forecast is warning us for some rain and wind arriving by Tuesday.

Looking at this view from our terrace during our breakfast this morning it seemed as if we were living  one more dream!

Those low clouds in the distance is an early indication that the coming day would morph into another experience.

26 September 2013 The Island of Hydra

We decided to go to the island of Hydra. A good idea to do this while the weather was so nice and  the summer boat services still frequent between the islands.

We arrived at the port while the fisherman were starting to return from their morning fishing expedition

The flying dolphin arrived right on time for the 40 minute ride to Hydra.

We arrived on the island  and  came out to a lovely port, the sun was shining on the beautiful stone mansions 

that surround it. It was busy with yachts, fishermen emptying or selling their  fish to the local people or to deliver at different restaurants.

Here is some information on the Hydra:

 http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/ricksteves/Hydras-History.html

This is an island that has played a great role during the overthrow of the Ottoman empire during 1820-21.

Hydra has no cars, or motorbikes  only  Fire trucks.

Here is a quote of a short description of this island.

"Lavish stone mansions owned by important families (Voulgaris, Kountouriotis, Tombazis, Kriezis, Bountouris etc, 
all by the way hd participated in the heroic battles against the Ottomans ) and built by Italian artisans reveal the wealth that experienced the island in the past. Today most of these mansions house the island’s museums. 300 churches and 6 monasteries spread around the island as well as the cannons and the statues of the Independence War heroes still standing at the balconies of the islands create a romantic mosaic."

The streets are immaculate and are paved with stone everywhere.

As it is built on a mountain the town starts from the port and it goes up very high, inevitably there are steps every were, there is no such thing as when one ages it is time to look for a one level home!

Young and old climb up all the way to their homes, everyone

was filled with energy,  healthy and smiling wherever we went.

The entire town is built with local stone including all the streets.

There are no cars or motorbikes. The only car belongs to the fire department.

When they want to deliver supplies of any type they use donkeys as you saw on the picture, usually 

one can find them by the boats, ready to be loaded.

Ron had an opportunity to photograph a lot of wonderful facades of homes and doorways.

This blue color is very popular on a great number of Greek islands.

As I mentioned the town is built on a mountain, it is actually one of the most arid islands so everything as I mentioned is built on or by a rock of the side of the mountain.

Here is a great example of one of the houses on the top that we climbed up to, not as easily as some 80 year olds that lived up there passing us by on the steps!

 

This is an Apothecary (Pharmacy) from  1802 absolutely in impeccable state.
The woodwork was beautiful.

We stopped for  some lunch and what you see is a plate of fried zucchini
with tzatziki sauce (yogurt, garlic, cucumber), a treat!
Actually I took the picture as I like the restaurant acros from us as well. 

Some rest on a wall after lots of walking. 

I am having hard time placing the pictures on this particular blog, sorry if it is confusing.
Above a view from one of hikes up hill..This is part of the port of Hydra.

Some of the houses are immense and they are owned by extreemly
well known people.
All of them renovated to perfection, how I wish I could open those doors and look in! 

Here is a picture out of order.. we reached the opposite end of the port and went to one of the areas one can swim, as well as some beautifully located restaurants.
As you can see there is nothing more clear and beautiful as the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea.

We had our afternoon coffee, Ron had his cafe frappe and I a delicious cappuccino while watching the Flying Dolphin go to their next island port.

This is the Entrance of the Church museum at the Port of Hydra, here is some information on it.

http://www.athensattica.gr/en/you-are-here/what-to-see/churches-monasteries/item/6182-εκκλησιαστικό-μουσείο-ύδρας-–-μητρόπολη?poiid=13001320068041

This was the door to the museum.

The cat was waiting for a treat while these boys were fishing, you see little boys and girls always by the water throwing a line and fish, any time of the day, especially after school ends.

A view from the harbor at sunset, as we were getting ready to depart back to Poros.

This is the opposite side of the harbor where there is a wonderful museum we visited, filled with the history of the island.

This is Maria, she was adorable and was playing with the dress at her mother's store,
jut had to photograph her happy face and sweet smile.

Another shot from where we were having  our coffee, a perfectly
clear sea with every shade of blue to green. 

This part of the port and main town. 

More beautiful doors.

Here is how steep the steps are and how narrow the streets are.

The stone work is remarkable.

Most all houses have gates that lead into beautify gardens that are surrounded with walls.

This was our way back down to town and port to catch our boat.
Regrettably out of sequence, still a wonderful day.