SANTORINI

Early on the morning of the 21st we got over to the airport for a short flight to Santorini on Aegean Airlines.

After arriving we rented a car and drove over to our hotel.  In getting to Santorini early in the morning, our room at the Onyx Hotel was not ready.  It was really a fun place being a small boutique hotel.  Since our room wasn't ready we drove around the corner to get some breakfast.  After breakfast we drove over to Parissa Beach, one of the best beaches in Santorini.  There we enjoyed time swimming in the Aegean Sea and relaxing on the beach.  Of course, beach time is one of my favorites!

After spending most of the day at the beach we got back to the hotel to finally check in.  Our room was really quaint and beautiful.  We got showered up and headed to the other side of the island, Oui. Pronounced Eeya.  We were wondering for three days how to pronounce this amazing little town.  It was such a beautiful place.  It is situated high on a cliff with beautiful views of the Sea.  

Some delicious ice cream!

Beautiful whitewashed buildings on the cliffs of Oia.

That night we had reservations at the KooKoo bar.

We had made reservations six weeks in advance because I had read that this place was THE place to watch the sunset in Oui.  Our seat afforded the most amazing view!  We were blessed to be sitting in THE seat that could let us see the sun sinking into the sea.  Besides that awesome experience the food was really good!  Rick said that was the BEST pasta ever!  It really was his favorite dish of our whole two week trip!

It got a little chilly so our server offered a little blanket for me.

Such great service!

And a great way to end the day!

The next morning we drove to the south of the island to catch a catamaran for a day on the sea.

I had been wanting to be on a boat for most of the summer so this was a much anticipated excursion.

We really had a great time swimming, feeling the wind in our hair and eating some great Greek food.

It was really a fun day!

That evening we went back to Oui for dinner.  Previously we had seen a pizza parlor with a beautiful view of the Aegean.  We decided to enjoy the views of the second story from the restaurant and they did not dissapoint.   

Rick ordered this amazing Greek dessert.

It is called Galakto Boureko.  He had it served with ice cream.  So good!!

Me wearing my new skirt that Rick bought me there in Oui.

I love it!!

 

ATHENS

 On the seventeenth of September we headed off for a two week adventure.  We flew American Airlines early in the morning into Philadelphia.  We had a little time to grab some lunch before getting on the next flight that flew eleven hours into Athens.  We arrived early in the morning at 9:10.  After getting our bags we rented a car and headed to the Semiranis Hotel about a thirty minute drive from the airport.  Our room wasn't quite ready so we waited a bit until we were able to get into our room.  We were able to get an upgrade into a suite which was really nice.  Semiranis Hotel was a very retro hotel...lots of bright green and pink.  Very seventiesish in decor but kinda cool and different.

After getting some rest for the afternoon in our hotel room we were able to get freshened up and headed out to the Plaka neighborhood for some dinner.  We found a cute restaurant with outdoor seating and had a fun dinner.  Our first time eating Greek food in Greece!  It was delish!

After dinner we walked the couple of blocks over to the Parliament building to see the changing of the guard.  Kinda cool to see!

After the guard change we strolled around the Plaka area just enjoying the feel of the old streets.

                                            ...and then stopped for ice cream to end the evening!

Here is a view of the pool from our room.  The pool was beautiful but COLD!!

The next morning was September 19th!  MY BIRTHDAY! 

We had a big day planned for that day.  We took off early for a tour to Corinth and one of the areas where Paul came to preach.  It was about an hour and a half drive to get to Corinth.  On the way we stopped at the Corinth Canal, a nearly four mile canal built to connect the Gulf of Corinth (Ionian Sea) to the Saronic Gulf (Aegean Sea).  It was really cool to see knowing the building began in 67 AD.  The work stopped and it didn't fully become finished until the 19th century.  

Our next stop was the ancient port where Paul came into the Corinth area.  Most of the port is under water due to an earthquake that buried most of it.  There are still a few foundations that can be seen.

A beaurtiful mosaic of Paul over a church on Paul's Road.

Paul's road is the road that Paul would have taken to get to Corinth.

Of course, today it is an asphalt road...

A stop by a marker next to Ancient Corinth.

A view of Ancient Corinth from above...

With our guide, Michael.

We took a stroll around the ancient city walking in the place where the Aposle Paul preached.

The main road of ancient Corint.

Outside of the ancient city walls were some fun shops. 

Rick met the artist that does woodwork and decided to but a lamp like the kind that was used in ancient times.

Next Michael took us up to a mountain in ther area that had a great view of the Ionian Sea (Gulf of Corinth) and modern day Corinth.

Our last stop was this cute church.  There were people there preparing for a wedding but what we were there for was...

...this amazing mosaic.  It speaks for itself....scenes from Paul's life.

I loved it so much!

How about this olive tree!!!

  Did I mention how delicious the olive oil is in Greece??

                       Here is a view of our pretty room.  We had a really big outdoor patio.

That evening we found an Italian restaurant for my birthday dinner.

I had pizza, of course.  Can't remember what Rick had.😂

Of course we NEEDED to get dessert!

After dinner we perused the darling neighborhood we were in.

The nut shop was inviting!

A good way to end my birthday.

Happy fifty nine, Janellie!!

The next day was Sunday.  We enjoyed a really nice church meeting not too far from our hotel.

Afterward, we drove back down to the Plaka neighborhood for some dinner and sightseeing. 

More good food...

After lunch we found our way over to the Parthenon and the ancient ruins of Athens.  It was really cool to see these ancient buildings.  There were A LOT of people doing the same thing but we made our way through for some nice pictures.

Next we made our way over to Zeus' Temple.  

 There are only a couple of columns left but it was still nice to see.

This was our last hurrah of Athens.

I can honestly say that we enjoyed our time there.