EUROPE - Part 3

GREECE

The Saronic Gulf Cruise

The second day in Greece was a Cruise.  Thank goodness for that!  After the heat exhaustion we experienced from the day before, the hike up to the Parthenon, we needed to rest! So, we hopped on a cruise ship and headed out to see 3 of the Greek Isles:  Poros, Hydra, and Aegina.

1st Island: POROS

It took us about 1 1/2 hours to reach the first island of Poros.  During this time, we snacked, relaxes, rested, and watched a few dolphins jumping out of the water alongside our boat.  The island of Poros was really nice.  We had about 30 minutes there.  The small allies were neat, and the shops were very detailed.  Of course, you know something had to happen to one of MY students in this short time frame, right?  Yes, her and her mother got left behind.  They both saw the boat pulling away, and just stood there on the island.  Well, it was a simple $200 to take a water taxi for them to meet us on the next stop.  I guess they should've flagged us down, or looked at the watch a little sooner, eh?

Pic#1: This is what our cruise ship looked like.  See the Greek flag flying at the top?   

Pic #2: This is the island of Poros, as we were approaching it.  The water is so clear and beautiful!

Pic #3-4: These are a few snapshots of the allies & shops on the island of Poros.  So cute, yet so close together!

Pic#5: Of course, Steven would document the moment we were sailing away, when we notice we are missing two members of our crew:  (the daughter is the one in yellow shorts, and the mother in a pink top to our right...they had just stood in line to purchase some snacks at a small shop at the top of the stairs to the right of them...I hope it was worth it!)

2nd Island: Hydra

This was by far my favorite of the three islands!  We spent over and hour here, and the shopping was simply wonderful!  I bought Greek jewelry (necklance & bracelet) with a traditional design on it (the one that represents eternity, that keeps repeating itself) adorned with turquoise.  Together, Steven & I a beautiful globe - the water is onyx stone and each country is cut from a semi-precious stone like mother-of-pearl or lapis lazuli.

Pic #1: The island of Hydra, as we were approaching

Pic#2: I just can't get enough of the Greek houses...they are so...GREEK!  This pic was taken right before we got off the cruise

Pic #3: A few of the first shops we ran into on the island. If you look at the one that is on the left, that is the store where we bought our treasures.

Pic#4: No cars are allowed to drive on this island. So...what do they do for transportation?  Well...they either walk or go by donkey, of course!

Pic#5: Steven & I, just enjoying the Greek atmosphere.  Ahhhh...vacation is wonderful, isn't it?

3rd Island: Aegina

This island was for relaxation mainly.  We could swim in the Greek waters.  We stayed here for 2 1/2 hours.  We rented a small umbrella on the beach, ordered a few drinks (non-alcoholic, of course...it's a school trip!), and I sat on the beach watching Steven & some of my students swim.  Why didn't I swim?  I had a headache, and we were going to a Greek show that evening, and I we didn't have time to change...so I didn't want to get dirty.  :)

This island is also known for their pistachios.  You could buy them by the kilo, or in prepared bags.  We ended up buying a kilo (which was definitely NOT enough), and some Steven bought some interesting jars of pistachio makings--one is a cream, and the other is a honey mixture.  Don't ask me what you do with them...but they are currently still on the kitchen counter.  The pistachios...are mostly gone. I am trying to make them last as long as possible...but it is tempting seeing them open everyday on the counter top.

Pic#1: Steven swimming in the clear blue waters of Aegina.

Pic#2: The shops we passed on our way back to the cruise.  These were mainly pistachio vendors.