Gule Gule Blue and Rene

Yesterday, it was up early for breakfast, some with a decidedly raki disposition and then a quick walk to the ferry terminal to send Blue and Rene over to Rhodes for their journey home.  There is always a bit of separation anxiety when our friends leave, then the usual boat chores and shopping.  Yesterday, however, we were able to go back to our air conditioned room for a few more hours and just ‘chill’.

 

Ece Saray Outdoor Bar #1
Ece Saray Outdoor Bar #1

The hotel was outstanding, here is the view from our room.  In the evening ducks would wander by and graze in the lawn area. Inside there are two parrots, which amused us and themselves.

Outlook over Ece Fethiye Marina
Outlook over Ece Fethiye Marina

Fethiye was once know as Telmessos in antiquity, the largest Lycian port.  In the fairly usual course of events in this part of the world, earthquakes leveled the town and today most of the town is fairly modern.

The Town Quay harbour front area is full of gulets but there are also a few monuments.  Here is a monument to young soldiers from Fethiye who have perished in recent wars. Images of Ataturk are along the bottom.

Touching monument to recent wars surrounded by incredible topiary
Touching monument to recent wars surrounded by incredible topiary

 

Fountain gave us a sense of cool relief in the 40+ hot August day. You can survive in Turkey in August, as long as you are near water.

Fethiye Dancing fountain
Fethiye Dancing fountain

Gule Gule means goodbye, from the person who is staying. Literally “Go Well”, we wish Blue and Rene a very good flight home, fingers crossed for that upgrade, Rene. See you before you know it.

 

Athens Back Streets

Athens is vibrant bordering on frenetic. There are so many people wandering the streets, but if you stay away from Cruise ship tours, travel the intricate back streets, you will enjoy it.

Anafiotika is near the north side of Acropolis hill and looks like it was pinched from the Cycladic island of Anafi and perched there on a steep site. There were workers who came to Athens in the early 19th century, they became homesick, so built there minute houses to remind them of Anafi.

Anafiotikan church
Anafiotikan church
Anafiotika
Anafiotika – see the Acropolis at the top

You often see small children and grandparents on the Happy Train, as we were walking out of Anafiotika, you can see that a badly parked car meant the happy train couldn’t turn the corner. We came upon them pulling the happy train apart car by car and taking each car around the corner. Does the happy train blow its whistle and helpers come running?

Athens Happy Train
Athens’ Happy Train had to be pulled apart and manhandled to get around this corner

We wandered past the Tower of the Winds, which was a water clock on the inside and a sun dial on the outside. It has carvings of the eight winds on each of its eight sides.

Hellenistic Tower of the Winds in the Roman Agora
Hellenistic Tower of the Winds in the Roman Agora

We visited the wonderful National Archaeological Museum with Leanne and Cam, but on Sunday we visited the Acropolis Archaeological museum. This captivating museum is just five years old and definitely a must see. The architecture is light and open with use made of the subterranean spaces. You walk over glass and view three stories of excavations or a minuscule fragment of tea cups or amphora.

Wikipedia says: The design by Bernard Tschumi was selected as the winning project in the fourth competition. Tschumi’s design revolves around three concepts: light, movement, and a tectonic and programmatic element. Together these characteristics “turn the constraints of the site into an architectural opportunity, offering a simple and precise museum” with the mathematical and conceptual clarity of ancient Greekbuildings.

James at the Acropolis Archaeological Museum
James at the Acropolis Archaeological Museum

Happy Happy Birthday, darling Rene. Hope you are spoiled all happy day long.

Acropolis, Agora and a fond farewell to Leanne and Cam

“Across the distance, the Acropolis museum cradled within its protective walls its legendary treasures, lulling them to a peaceful sleep under the eerie light from the heavens. Yet, through the large window, the five Caryatids stood alert on their strong platform. The ageless maidens with the long braided hair down their backs remained awake even at this hour gazing across to the Acropolis, full of nostalgia for their sacred home. Inside their marble chests, they nurtured as always, precious hope for the return of their long lost sister.” 
 Effrosyni MoschoudiThe Necklace of Goddess Athena

We have been crossing items off our bucket list.  We were so happy to have company for Lepanto, Zante, the Corinth Canal, Meteora and Delphi.  We made the Corinth Canal a day early, so we were able to have a splendid day at the Acropolis. We thought we would share the photos.

Climbing up to the Acropolis
Climbing up to the Acropolis
James, Cameron and Leanne
James, Cameron and Leanne
Theatre of Dionysus
Theatre of Dionysus
Leanne and Gaila in front of the Caryatids, it was exceptionally windy
Leanne and Gaila in front of the Caryatids, it was exceptionally windy
The Parthenon
The Parthenon
The Agora
The Agora

 

 

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