Various holidays stories

I mentioned in my previous post about Paros, but I don’t think I mentioned some of the other things that happened during our holidays. For example I didn't mention the fact that I told JJ to drive on the wrong side of the road!

Yes, I did. The first morning we arrived to the island, there were strong winds and the water service to the beach wasn't operational, so we rented one of those 4 wheel motorbikes! I was so sure he would be driving on the wrong side of the road coming from England, so without really thinking and being on a motorbike without a proper driver’s seat, I told him to switch over and drive on the left! Thankfully, there aren't many cars in the town and most narrow roads are one way roads. However, after a while we ran into a car coming from the opposite direction, right at us! At first of course I though what is the idiot doing! And then it occurred to me who the idiot was!

Anyway, (changing subject quickly), another hilarious incident happened to JJ the day we were checking out from the hotel. He went to pay our room while I was still tidying things up. At this point I need to give you some background information. The hotel is run by a couple. He’s Chilean living in Greece for many years and she looked Greek, but I’m not familiar with her background. They've been living in one of the hotel rooms. Living in a small village on an island, things are pretty much totally informal. I don’t think I saw him once were shoes or even a t-shirt. She was normally dressed with cheap white V-neck t-shirts and sport track bottoms. She didn't take care of herself and chain smoked. Of course we didn't mind, since we hardly ever saw them during our stay.

So, the day arrived and JJ went to their room to pay. She went to get the credit card machine and as she bent over to grab it, one of her boobs fell out her t-shirt! When JJ was telling me this, I couldn’t stop laughing. She was either oblivious of the fact or did it on purpose and didn’t do anything about it. She was just waiting there, with her hanging boob, which probable never saw a bra in the last years, exposed. JJ tried and kept a serious façade. Kept looking her in the eyes, entered his pin number, collected the receipts and ran off! Knowing JJ who is generally very well behaved and proper (in most cases) that was an experience (boob job) never to forget!

After we left Paros, we visited Mykonos. We stayed there for a small number of days before flying back to London. During our visit there, we took an early morning boat and travelled to a nearby uninhabited island called Delos. That small island hosts the biggest archaeological dig site of Europe and one of the most important for the ancient Greek history. According to the myths it’s the birthplace of the god Apollo and Artemis. Their temples were very important, mentioned by the likes of Homer and a pilgrimage destination for many.

What you see from the boat upon arrival

A mansion of the time 

Exploring the ancient city

Apart from its major religious significance, it was a major trading port with tens of thousands of inhabitants at its peak. Its fame was such that the area had inhabitants from all over the existing world. To give you an idea, the town had a temple of the Egyptian Isis and a synagogue, the oldest one known. A very wealthy town of the times it is now an important dig site. A visitor now can still walk around the streets of the archaic town, see the temporary architecture, witness the existence of various shops, test the acoustics of the amphitheatre and admire the temples. I strongly recommend visiting Delos if you’re ever in that part of the world. It’s mind blowing.

Next to the dig site, on Delos, there’s a small museum. In there, a visitor can see original mosaics and statues of the area. So, we couldn't miss it. I was happily checking the exhibits with JJ, taking photos. We knew that no flash photography was allowed and we followed the rules. At some point I stood in front of a massive wonderful mosaic and JJ took a photo of me. One of the guards / archaeologists came and told me smiling that no posing is allowed. I laughed with him and asked him why? Am I so bad looking that I made the mosaic injustice? We didn't really pay attention and walked along. In the next room I stood in front of a massive statue of Hermes and JJ tried to take another photo!

Then, out of the blue, a mean looking woman starting yelling at us that no posing is allowed and since I was already told of this, I shouldn't break the rules and we would be kicked off the museum! I was gobsmacked! I switched and talked to her in Greek. Immediately her tone and attitude changed since she realised I was Greek. That fact didn't go unnoticed to JJ who was naturally annoyed. I admitted to her that I thought the previous guard was joking about the ‘no posing’ rule, since it didn't really make sense! I asked her the reason behind this and she didn't know. She just said it’s a museum regulation!

The temple of Isis

We didn’t let that event affect our feelings regarding the visit. Delos is utterly amazing and worth the visit. The boat trip with a tour guide lasts for half a day and doesn't cost that much. 

Athens, next couple of days

In general, during our stay in Athens we spent the mornings with JJ walking around and visiting museums. Apart from the ‘Cycladic Museum of Art’ in the very beautiful neoclassic building we visited the New Acropolis Museum for the second time, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and the Benakis Gallery at Piraeus Avenue to watch a Tsarouxis exhibition. During the evenings we met friends of mine for dinner or drinks, or my brother and his fiancée for the same purpose.

 

                          Going in for the Greek Salad!                  

The new Acropolis Museum is something amazing! That is why we went there again after it during our previous visit to the capital. The old museum used to be a tiny building on the Acropolis, next to the Parthenon. The new building is a big construction next to it, overlooking the Dionysus Theatre and the Acropolis. It’s new and modern with replicas, statues and information on everything related to the area and its structures. The entrance fee is only €5, a bargain for the quality offered. The views from the balcony to the Acropolis and the Parthenon are breath taking. We sat there for lunch trying to absorb the views. The top floor of the museum is dedicated only to the statues and details of the Parthenon. It’s great looking at them and turning your head to look at the actual construction behind you.

The view from the Acropolis Museum top floor

ladies?

Inside the Museum

                   

The National Museum of Athens is a must see for lovers of the Ancient Greek Art. It contains mostly statues of the Hellenistic and Classical period. They were so different from the figurines we saw in the Cycladic Art museum. They are displaying strong emotions and ‘movement’. Between the items we saw and amazed us, were the so called Agamemnon mask, the Santorini murals and the Antikythira Mechanism. There was a whole new exhibition on the Antikithyra shipwreck which was very interesting. Unfortunately, due to lack of staff and the general economic crisis, parts of the museum were closed. They had available the most important artefacts, but still…

                                    Agamemnon's Mask                             Santorini's murals

                                      Poseidon or Zeus                              JJ's rare appearance                

The Antikithira Mechanism and JJ looking at it.

Athens first day

As previously mentioned, we went to Greece last week and specifically to Athens staying a couple of days at my brother and fiance's place. The weather was really nice and we spent lots of time wondering around and seeing the city's sights.

After my brother and his bride to be finished work, they took us to an amazing Cretan restaurant in an area called Halandri. The place was amazing and the food outstanding. Needless to say that almost each dish was some thousands calories  but who cares? We were on holidays and indulged as appropriate:

It's worth going to Crete, just for the food. Just look at my happy face!

Next morning we decided to go to the 'Cycladic Art Museum' in the area of Athens, called Kolonaki. That's a very nice area at the center with some really nice house:

 

Building in the area

The museum itself was amazing. The exhibitions were displayed over 4 floors in a very beautiful neoclassic building. There was a section on how ancient Greeks used to live, a floor on Cypriot ancient art and two floors on Cycladic ancient art dated from the 7th century BC to the 25th century.

I couldn't not take a picture of erotic ancient art 

 

Art dated around 2800 BC. First figurines were female. Something to do with mother Earth and productivity. They were found over tombs. You can see that they are really old, since they are represented without many details and motionless, standing still. It took the Greeks centuries to start making statues with features and 'motion'. 

 Ancient toys for small children. 

Holidays Ahead with some minor dark clouds

With 2013 already underway, our little house in the south of London has been happily buzzing, making plans for the near future. The easiest and most pleasant of them are of course the plans regarding holidays and trips. Even if it is still very early for the year, we’ve decided on making a trip to Athens at the end of January, beginning of February! And I’m so excited!  What’s great about Athens is the fact that it’s inexpensive, since we’ll be staying at my brother’s and the weather most likely will be good (during the Alkyonides days). We’ll meet members of my family and some of my dearest and oldest friends.

Speaking of my family, I’ve mentioned to my mother the days we’ll be staying in Athens and that it would be nice to see them. It would also be nice of them to meet JJ for the first time. It was only fair since I’ve met JJ’s parents very recently and we could get the ‘meeting the parents’ thing out of the way once and for all. My mother didn’t sound too excited about this prospect. On the phone she mumbled something on the line ‘we’ll see’ and that they’re busy, so she can’t promise they could get the time to go all the way to Athens!

Although, this could really be the case, I had my doubts. So, on a later phone call I’ve openly asked her that if JJ left earlier and I stayed a couple of days longer, would they then think about coming to Athens to see me! And then, the amazing happened! They could make it (if I was on my own)! This whole thing upset me the day we had that brief conversation.  I’m now feeling much better about it though. I don’t have anything to be apologetic about and the problem lies with them. I’ve decided that some things can’t be forced, although I will bring up the subject to my mother when I see her.

I believe that the first time I mentioned us being in the country and if they could come, she didn’t even check with my father about it. He simply doesn’t want to hear about it. He can’t accept the fact that his son is gay, even if he’s happy and partnered. It’s not that important but I’m mentioning the partnered bit because when we had the ‘talk’ once, he was going on about how I was wasting my life, being alone and ending up on the street like a tramp, begging for some affection and paid love! She’s better than him. When I know he’s not listening she’s asking me quietly about how we are doing and even wished JJ Merry Christmas! Just to stir the waters I had sent them a Merry Christmas card signed by both of us. :-)

In any case, we have holidays approaching and I’m very happy about it! I’ve already been checking on things we could do and didn’t do during our last visit. The most important one is visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The last time I’ve been there I was probably in my teens. There are some amazing exhibits there including Cycladic art, the well-known golden mask of Agamemnon and the famous Antikythera mechanism.

Please meet Agamemnon

Especially the latter is something I would really love to see again. We were recently watching a full documentary in National Geographic (I think) regarding it. For those of you not familiar with it, this Greek ancient mechanism is considered to be one of the very first “computers” ever built. It was found in a ship wreck close to the Antikythera Island and its very complicated cogs and wheels were calculating astronomical positions.      

 Antikythera Mechanism

Olympic fever

Although some Olympic games have already started, the opening ceremony is only hours away. The world has their eyes on London and the excitement is apparent. There are more people on the streets and Olympic vehicles and personnel are around the central. Various events are taking place around the city and a huge party with big screeAns and concerts is planned for tomorrow in Hyde Park. Today’s also the last day of the torch relay through central London.

I don’t want to be part of the pessimistic group of people loving to moan and complain that things will grow terribly wrong during the games. They’re might be some problems, that’s expected on an event of that scale, but I hope that everything will be fine. There was already a minor but funny hiccup at the games yesterday (at least very funny to me). During one of the football matches yesterday when North Korean women football team was playing, on the scoreboard the flag of the South Korea was displayed!!! They hate each other so much that it must have been a shock to them…

I haven’t booked any tickets. I can’t take any days off during the Games and JJ’s work schedule means that he will be working during some of the upcoming weekends anyway. His shifts for the next weeks are very recently finalised and we might try to get some tickets on the Paralympic events. Although it’s not entirely true, I have the feeling that the Paralympic events are not that commercialised, or at least they have an extra meaning. A friend of mine was joking yesterday that in order to support ‘Team GB’ we need to eat McDonalds, devour Cadbury’s chocolates and wash it all down with litres of Heineken beer! Since they are the major Games sponsors, it must be what the athletes do…

When I was much younger, we drove as a family to Olympia, the place where the ancient Greek Olympic Games took place. I remember the experience vividly because it was a fine sunny day and we even ran a bit around the old stadium like the ancient athletes used to do. I had found it hilarious when my father took us rolling down the nearby fields. My pants and t-shirt turned green from the grass. I think I was around 10 years old but I understood the significance of the place. That’s the same place where the ceremony takes place when the Olympic flame is lit nowadays.

We used to have a children’s book on Ancient Greece. It was big and blue with Hercules on the cover. I loved going through the pages and checking the images.  It contained some mythological stories and facts about Ancient Greece. There was a huge chapter on the Olympic Games. It explained how different city-states were competing in honour of Zeus (hence the way the flame is lit using mirrors and sunlight) and that general truce on all conflicts was imposed during the time of the Games. Only men could take part or even watch the games and the winners were treated like heroes.

Ancient Greeks paid lots of attention on ‘isterophimia’ (υστεροφημια) which can only be translated as ‘how one person is remembered by the next generations’. Winning an Olympic medal (or an olive branch that was awarded back then) was a ticket to eternity. Even today, after so many centuries, many famous athletes are still remembered, like Diagoras from Rhodes. The island’s international airport and local football club are named after him and he used to compete 2400 years ago! So, if it happens that you’re visiting South Greece, go to Olympia.

Olympian gods

I was thinking that it would be interesting if I stopped being a Christian (as a matter of speech) and devoted myself to the Olympian gods. Out of the 12 playing in the major league (there are hundreds in the minor leagues) I would have to find the One, to whom I would devote my life to. That’s not an easy decision though. I would have to deny myself and my needs and dedicate myself completely to a god or goddess, something like dating (yeah, right). So, which god would I date / surrender to?

Zeus (archaeological museum of Athens, 460BC)

Zeus is the ultimate god who rules them all! It would be cool to be with him. Think of the status! However he’s so full of himself! He’s been screwing everything from males, females to relatives, even animals! His sexual desires are uncontrollable…

Hera is the sister and wife of Zeus. She’s generally portrayed as nice and earnest. Probably because no one wanted to do something to cross her! Her jealousy over Zeus and vengefulness is well known! Simply ask Heracles! The poor boy without any fault of his own was the bastard son of Zeus. Hera wanted so badly to kill him! Or ask her son Hephaestus who suffered at her hands.

Poseidon is the god of the seas and also controls the earthquakes. He’s generally a nice guy and I do love the sea and everything related to it. However, think of the smell! He must stink like dead fish, seaweed and nets all the time!

Demeter is the goddess of harvest and agriculture. She’s generally a nice lady. She hasn’t caused much stir in the past, as far as I know. If you’re into a calm life in a farm or cottage, that’s the girl for you.

Athena is the goddess of wisdom, culture and justice. She helped Athens prosper to an incredible degree back then. That sounds all too nice but I fear that she is miss know-it-all to an infuriating degree! Who wants to associate with someone who believes they are right all the time? And what’s worse? She is right all the time?

Apollo of Belvedere

Apollo is the god of arts, medicine and prophecies. He is handy to have around since he can foretell the future. Homer didn’t really like him and pictured him horribly during the Trojan Wars but that’s probably a personal opinion.

Artemis is the goddess of hunting and birth. I don’t know that much about her, but I think that she’s generally well liked. However, it is believed that she killed her companion Orion which sounds a bit fishy.

Ares is the god of war! A feisty strategist with many scars and tales to tell. He does sound experienced in life and interesting. However, he seems very strong willed and stubborn. He’s not an easy person to deal with.

Venus de Mylo (100 BC)

Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty, love and pleasure. Who wouldn’t like that? She’s generally prone to temptation and she likes to create a stir. She can also be jealous of other women and mean. Look what happened to poor Psyche.

Hephaestus is the god of construction, metallurgy and fire. He is the craftsman of the gods. Unfortunately his appearance is a bit distorted and he looks a bit like the hunchback of Notre Dame. Zeus married him to Aphrodite as a solution to prevent conflicts between the other gods because he didn’t think that highly of him! I generally like him. He’s the geek of the gods.

Dionysus is the god of performing arts, hedonism and wine. He is the centre of the party and knows how to enjoy himself. Celebrations in his name in most cases ended in massive orgies and parties that lasted for days. Although appealing as an idea, I fear it might be much for me.

Hermes with baby Dionysus by Praxiteles (343 BC) 

Hermes is the messenger of the gods, he’s the guide to the underworld and he’s the god of trade and speech among lots of other things. In my opinion, he’s a very interesting and complex character. With all this running around he must also be very fit. Various stories are linked to him. To give you an idea he’s the father of Tyche (Luck) and Hermaphroditus (with Aphrodite) where the word hermaphrodite comes from all these years ago. He is the god I’d probably choose if I had to make a selection.

Summer Holidays 2011, Part III

The last part of our trip was the island of ‘Santorini’. That island is in the same group of island as Naxos called ‘Cyclades’. What’s amazing and unique about this island is its morphology. The island used to be round, called Stroggili, or ‘στρογγύλι’ (στρογγυλός = round in Greek). Around 1650BC the volcano in the centre of the island erupted. 30 cubic kilometres of magma were released creating one of the most catastrophic volcano explosions recorded.

The force of this eruption and the weight and volume of the magma caused the round island to collapse creating one of the biggest craters, calderas, of the world. Vast volumes of sea water tried to fill the generated gap. The tsunami waves created by this explosion destroyed the vast ancient Minoan civilisation in Crete which is believed to be related to the lost Atlantis myth.

Below is an image of how the island looks today from the sky. Thira is the capital of the island with houses overlooking the caldera. Therasia, Aspronisi and the island of Santorini (Thira) used to form the old island of Stroggili. Kameni island is the volcanic island created in the middle.

Santorini as it is today

The areas overlooking the caldera are very rough. There are steep cliffs and houses are built right on the top providing amazing views of the sea below. The views of the island are exquisite and unique. Everywhere you look it's like a postcard. The island is covered in dark volcanic sand and you cannot find the lovely sandy beaches found in the rest of the islands of the same groups. Santorini is probably the opposite of our previous destination, Naxos.

The busy harbor with cruise ships and the volcanic island in the back

Splendid views

That's the entrance of a local house

The island is quite touristic with lots of cruise ships visiting. Also because of the wonderful sights, the island is a unique destination for honeymoon goers and people wanted to get married there. The prices are a bit high and the facilities provided are of high standards.

The sunset at Fira

The sand is dark coloured, volcanic and very hot. The water is cool and crystal clear though

Visiting the Ancient city of Thira. It was amazing to see and imagine the busy streets, houses and the way people lived at ancient times.

That balcony looks amazing

During our stay there JJ had his birthday. Of course it was planned like that. I was sure he would love the island. For the day I booked a cruise around the caldera on a catamaran. We visited a bay that is not accessible by car or foot to swim. Then we went swimming to the hot sulphur springs next to the volcano. It was a bit weird to swim in hot sea water knowing it was heated by the volcano itself. Next we were taken for an amazing seafood feast onboard overlooking the sunset. It was really nice, romantic and I’m glad he liked it.

The volcanic island looks like a place from Mars

The village of 'Oia'