By day and night Chania is both gorgeous and charming - considered by most the most beautiful city of Crete. Absolutely!
Top: Sunset viewed from a fish taverna favored by locals on the waterfront. Middle: Creative wall in a lunch spot we found within the heart of the old port.
Bottom: A typical villa in the old city, with the ubiquitous motorcycle parked out front.
A few days without wi-fi and trying to conserve on international data usage and I'm now behind on blogging. Sorry folks. Time away from iPhone hasn't been that bad though either! We are now in Georgioupolis, Crete and enjoying the infinite shades of aqua, teal, and blue of the Mediterranean.
Here's an example of lighting I'm seeing in a number of the hotels we've visited. Combination of low voltage sconces and recessed using fluorescent lamps - shown here around cool wood paneled "alcove" headboard. When turned on the recessed fluorescents display the light source right at ceiling surface, kind of like under cabinet button lights, but they manage to keep room lit in a trendy fashion, while using very little energy.
Dinner at The Red Bicycle Restaurant in Oia was marvelous. By now we are used to and enjoying the late night dining starting sometime around 9pm. Unique menu, risotto with crab and asparagus (that Aidan said rivaled Jeff's seafood risotto), romantic setting and gorgeous view, finished with a decadent custard dessert made with mastic. Mastic is a resin from the lentis shrub found on the island of Chios, the only place the resin solidifies naturally. It is used today for chewing gum and liqueur but was once prized for paints and varnishes as well as cosmetics and medicine. At 11pm we strolled back to villa along the charming cliff walk. No parking, no driving, no cars.
We have arrived!
View of the caldera from our cave villa at Filotera Villas in Oia.
Sun is setting and we are enjoying the local wine of Santorini. The convergence of a felicitous climate and soil to produce an excellent local white wine of which our innkeeper Nikolas has generously provided us a bottle from his own organic vineyard. The vines grow in a low spiral pattern adapting to the winds on the island.
This is the life.
Pictured are bronze Anthemia from the upper ends of tripods. 6th - 1st half of 5th c. BC. These are pieces of votive offerings by the pilgrims found at the Sanctuary of Olympia and now on display in the museum at Ancient Olympia.
Beautiful design created thousands of years ago, remains inspirational today. This scalloped motif is repeated today in terra-cotta on traditional tile rooftops throughout Greece.
The Tholos of Delphi - 4th Century BC - three columns still standing - supposedly built as a shrine to the earth goddess Gaia
A very hot day in Delphi. Pictured here is the most complete building remaining on the site - the Treasury of Athens erected to display the spoils and trophies of their victories. The site is not as accessible as it was when we visited almost 20 years ago, but it is no less spectacular. A group of theatre students from the University of Florida spontaneously reenact a piece of Oedipus Rex in the amphitheater ruins which helps bring the setting to life.
Exploring old and new in Athens - delightful contrasts in architecture - we ramble around the ancient Parthenon and marvel at the pieces of structure and sculpture still standing - we pass by a beautifully carved pair of doors to someone's home installed over two thousand years later - and tour the stunning new museum devoted to preserving and presenting the remains and history of the Acropolis.
GREECE LIVING
Our tour has begun and first stop is wonderful example of life Mediterranean style. View of the sea, sliding glass doors to open up and let the strong breezes flow through the house, and a short climb down the cliff steps to a refreshing swim. Following breakfast al fresco we are ready for a new day.
The most beautiful composting toilets in the world with the most stunning views.
In follow up to my post yesterday regarding water conservation, this is a place we visited a few years ago in Ecuador which is not just giving lip service to the concept of eco-friendly. The owners Michelle and Andres are an amazing team. To say that they are lodge owners and hosts does not do them justice or begin to describe all that they do for their guests, the community and the environment.
Check out their new website Black Sheep Inn for the latest news from them and for more spectacular photos. They share what they have tried and learned and are doing in energy conservation and full-cycle living at their lodge and in the village of Chugchilan.
