All Over Down Under

05/13/2024

Cable cars run constantly up the steep cliffs of Santorini island to the city above.

05/13/2024

The cruise ship left Crete by 12N and arrived at Santorini by 4P, where it anchored in the bay until 9P. Tenders took passengers to shore where you could take a shuttle, a cable car, or a donkey ride to the city above. In 1650 BC a massive volcanic eruption sank the center of Santorini island, leaving a giant cauldron, surrounded by towering cliffs. There is speculation that this may be the site of the mythical lost city of Atlantis.

05/13/2024

The archeological museum at Herklion, Crete houses many artifacts collected from the excavations of the Minoan Palace at Knossos.

05/13/2024

The last morning at sea we woke at the island of Crete. A tour of the archeological site at Minoan Palace of Knossos was one of the most amazing of this entire trip. Knossos is considered to be the first civilization of Europe, dating back to 3,000 BC. Excavations and restoration began back in 1878 and still much lies buried, yet to be rediscovered. Crete lies at the cross roads of Europe, Asia and Africa. The archeological museum in town of Herklion houses many of the treasures recovered from the excavation of Knossos.

05/13/2024

While the ship was docked at the island if Rhodes there were three options for time ashore. First travel 1 hour by bus to Lindos and climb a steep winding, rocky trail to visit the temple of Athena, built 300 BC. I went to Lindos but skipped the climb. There were 15 bus loads of people all climbing at the same time .. second, do a walking tour if the Medievil site where at one time the Coloseus if Rhodes, a 104 foot statue once stood, til destroyed by earthquake in 224 BC. The most important part was the Palace of the Grand Master. You walk in through two gateways that are separated by two dry moats. Then continue into the fortress main square and market. The third option was beach time for sun worshippers.

05/13/2024

From Turkey the ship sailed over to Patmos for a late afternoon arrival. Tenders were used to get passengers to shore for walking tours. Once home to St. John the Evangilist. Every where you go there are cats and dogs wandering about. Towns people collectively look after them all.

04/30/2024

Unwinding a silk worm cocoon....

04/30/2024

Woke up this morning in the port of Kusadasi, Turkey. A bus tour to the archeological site of Ephesus revealed remains of town built in the 4th century BC. An area that would cover about 4 square miles, only 13% has been so far painstakingly uncovered. On the way back to port a stop was made at a Turkish carpet market where we learned about the various wools and dyes, and silk threads used to make master pieces, to be displayed on floors and or walls. Incredible array of choices! Turkey has its own mulberry and silk worm production. One silk worm cocoon can be unwound to provide a mile long strand of silk thread.

04/30/2024

Phase 2 of my Greek adventure starts with boarding Celestyal Cruise lines ship the Discovery. First stop is the Greek island of Mykonos for an evening stroll through the narrow winding streets, designed purposely that way to slow down any army's of invaders. Now a famous vacation get away for jet setters and favorite weekend destination of Athenians. Known for its picturesque old windmills.

04/28/2024

An unusual set of rock formations at Meteora were at one time home to monks who lived in the caves along their sides. Later several monastery were built on the peaks. Today you can see rock climbers scaling the vertical sides.

04/28/2024

A visit to the archeological site of Delphi from 6th century BC, where the Oracle of Apollo spoke. An area that first attracted attention due to vapors that when inhaled caused people to have 'visions'. For years it attracted crowds of people looking for psychic advise. After the vapors ended the area was deserted.

04/28/2024

Crossing the Rion-Antirion cable bridge between Olympia and Patras and on through the countryside to Delphi. A region of fishing villages and agriculture, where olive and orange tree orchards go on for miles.

04/28/2024

A visit to Olympia was one of the main sites of interest to me. Here athletes of antiquity performed in honor of their king of dieties, Zeus. A moring guided tour brought the site back to life as you envision what it was like in its full glory. One of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Home to the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic Flame is lit. The museum houses many of the treasures rescued from the site.

04/28/2024

A steep hike up rocky paths led to great views over the valley at Mystras medieval Byzantine citadel. Winds off the African Sahara desert brought dust storms to Greece coating every thing in fine film of gray.

04/28/2024

An evening stroll through the streets of seaside Nauplia and cruise via a Caique (fishing) boat to our evening restaurant. Pass by the island if Bourtzi a Venetian fortress from the 15th century, built to protect the people from invading pirates and Turks.

04/24/2024

Archeological sites of Epidaurus & Mycenae, Greece. Ruins of cities that reined supreme in the 15th to 12th century B.C. Here Greek culture and the Hometic epics of the Illiad and the Odyssey have their roots.

04/24/2024

The Corinth Canal is enroute from Athens to Nauplia. Built in 1893 it is over 80' deep and 4 miles long and seperate the main land from the Pelepanese peninsula.

04/23/2024

Changing of the guard at Athens Greek Parliment occurs every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day. A slow methodical schronized routine, takes almost 10 minutes to complete.

04/22/2024

In Greek 'Acropolis ' means hill and the most famous Acropolis in the world is the one in Athens upon which the ancient Parthenon sits. An early monring visit was shared with about 2000 other tourist. Thankful not to be here in the heat of peak summer season. Greek history dates back over 9000 years. It is amazing to be able to walk in those historical foot steps and imagine what it was like in its days of full glory.

04/22/2024

Spent a relaxing Sunday on island hopping cruise from Athens, Greece. Hydra, Poros & Aegina. Aegina is known for its pistachios and you have to try the pistachio ice cream ;)

03/24/2024

Flying over the NZ alpine range and Tasman Glacier with Glenorchy Air. Peak of Mt. Cook at 12,218' is highest in NZ, remained hidden by cloud coverage all day. Being in the clouds in a small prop plane was awesome! We flew up from Queenstown in the morning and had 6 hours in the village before our return flight. Mt. Cook village is home to the Hermitage Hotel which is also base for Sir Edmund Hillary Museum. Hillary, a native New Zealander, honed his mountain climbing skills on Mt. Cook and was the first man to successfully reach the summit of Mt. Everest (29,032') in 1953. He also was first Antacrtic explorer to cross that frozen continent by motor vehicle in 1958. While at Mt. Cook you can take a helicopter to the Glacier snow fields or a motor boat across the lake, through icebergs to edge of Tasman Glacier. Multi hiking trails are available of varying lengths and difficulty. * All these activities weather permiting. There is an excellent Visitors Center for more detailed information on this alpine region.

03/22/2024

The road from Wanaka to Queenstown NZ is 2 hours of twisty turny mountain roads, on through Lindis Pass. Queenstown is NZ adventure capital and home to the original Bungy Jump and starting point for some of the world's best hiking trails. The NZ fjords are a couple hours drive and well worth the trip to do an afternoon cruise. Built into the rugged mountain terrain the streets leading up from Queenstown lakefront are steep to climb. This visit of mine was aimed at a day trip to Mt. Cook. See next post...

03/22/2024

Wanaka NZ is a little off the beaten tourist path but gaining more interest. Home of the biannual War Birds Over Wanaka festival which I missed by 2 weeks. This lovely lakeside town is in an agriculture area of fruit orchards and vineyards. I took a boat to an island bird sanctuary. Also paid a visit to the Wanaka Tree, the world's most photographed tree, it began as a fence post that took root and 70 years later is the last post standing.

03/22/2024

Lake Tekapo is where you will find NZ iconic Church of the Good Shepherd and a monument to the loyal sheltie, a breed of collie that herd flocks of thousands of sheep.

03/19/2024

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day! 🍀

☘️Happy St Patrick’s Day ☘️

From all the team at we hope you are having a fun day!

🍀

03/08/2024

Excited to visit Lake Tekapo NZ and their Dark Sky Project. We were out from 12A to 2A with astronomers and telescopes under a crystal clear night sky. This Galaxy 23 even did decent job of capturing photos of constellation Orion and Southern Cross.
Lake Tekapo in center of NZ south island is also haven for hikers, Mt. bikers and camper vans. The incredible shade of blue comes from reflections off the minerals in the water.

03/08/2024

Akaroa NZ, originally a French colony in 1800's, is just 2 hours drive from Christchurch. It makes for a good day trip to visit the village, have lunch and take a Black Cat Dolphin cruise, out into the Pacific. Seas were too rough for dolphins on my day so using postcard to show their Hector Dolphin, one of smallest Dolphin varieties.

03/06/2024

Lovely afternoon in Christchurch to visit the Botanical Garden and see people punting on the Avon River. I took a 1 hour guided tour where we rode through Garden on a multi car trolley. Then I spent another 2 hours wandering...and getting lost trying to find exit. LOL

03/06/2024

Early flight to Christchurch this morning followed by several hours at the Antarctic Center which is short walk from airport. There is a wealth of information and activities to enjoy, like feeding time with their little blue Penguins. Also introduction to resident huskies and learn about their valuable contribution to the early polar explorations. Go for a ride on a Hagglind... artic rover vehical.