Year two of this adventure, and I am starting later in the season than
I intended, late October.
The warmest winters in Europe are said to be in Rhodes and Crete. I
liked Rhodes last April; sounds like a destination. And how do you get
to
Rhodes? Via Athens.
![Night Distant acropolis at night](pix/2009/img_6448.jpg)
![Day Acropolis, framed by terrace 2x4's](pix/2009/img_6456.jpg)
The good Hotel Tempi (Odos Aiolou - Street of the Winds)
put me up on the
top floor this time - five floors of
stairs to reach my room, via the outdoor veranda. The veranda does have
a
view toward the Acropolis, the major compensation of this
noisy,
generally unattractive and practically unavoidable city.
![Stair Street Looking down tree-shaded stairs](pix/2009/img_6461.jpg)
![Morning Glory in Exarchia Stone wall covered in blossoming morning glory](pix/2009/img_6462.jpg)
When I was last in Greece, I could not tell morning glory from any
other winter-bare vine. Now it is in full bloom, luxuriating over
surfaces of all kinds.
This sample is on a hill above Athens' University district.
![Monastiraki - toward Pireaus Tracks curving away from an open-roofed platform.](pix/2009/img_6460.jpg)
Early in the afternoon, the Metro takes me to Piraeus, the port
of Athens founded by Themistocles, architect of a famous naval
victory over the Persian fleet at the nearby Bay of Salamina
(Salamis).
An overnight ride on the good ship Blue Star Diagoras
(That's it with the yellow smokestacks), and I am strolling the
harbor's edge leading into the old town of Rhodes.
![Blue Star Ferries' Diagoras - lounge lights and couches](pix/2009/img_6465.jpg)
![Looking Back at the boat that brought me. harbor with a large ship](pix/2009/img_6468.jpg)
![Harbor's Edge Clear shallow ocean lapping tan sand.](pix/2009/img_6469.jpg)
The more I look at the rest of these pictures, the less they really
need words. I'll mention this cat sitting where he sees everything
while being inconspicuous himself. If you need things said about any of
the other photos here, let me know - or make up whatever you think will
be surprising.
![Sentinal Cat Upright tabby cat on end of ruined wall](pix/2009/img_6470.jpg)
![Past and Presence Night lights of a modern bar perched above an ancient ruin](pix/2009/img_6476.jpg)
![Niche Dweller Stylized metal figure of Athena](pix/2009/img_6488.jpg)
Oh all right; this figure (Athena?) stands about 20 inches tall in a
niche behind the reception desk of the hotel Domus Rodos, my
home away from home for now. Innit nice?
![Old Street With Couple Couple silhouetted in gate of narrow old street](pix/2009/img_6504.jpg)
![default title defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_6498.jpg)
![Bougainvilla Bougainvilla trellis from beneatth](pix/2009/img_6511.jpg)
![Balconies Sun on modern apartment balconies](pix/2009/img_6521.jpg)
Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf