There's Something About Greece by Sue Roberts

 One last summer read.  The warm weather feel does not have to traditionally end with Labor Day weekend!

The island of Crete, Greece is a scene of sandy beaches, tropical colors, and warmth of the sun.  Tania randomly visits her Aunt Judith on the island and currently accepts an offer to help Judith with her animal rescue farm while Judith undergoes an operation.  

Right there is the perfect summer! 

The workers at the farm are typically young volunteers.  After tending to the dogs and a few random donkeys and pigs, the twenty-somethings and a few older helpers sightsee, have bonfires and cocktails, and check out adventures on the island.  

Nicos has a beautiful home near the farm where he tends to his adopted dog.  Dogs may be chick magnets, but they are guy magnets, too!  Nicos and Tania meet, yet Tania isn't sure she should pursue the handsome young man because she doesn't know how long she'll be on the island.  Why start something you can't finish?

I'll tell you why.  Tania doesn't have permanent plans for her future, so she has the option of creating plans in any direction.  

As for Nicos, she needs to find out his future plans and see if she fits in.  

Although, another volunteer seems to have caught her eye, so it's time to make a choice.  A choice of either one, or no one at all.  Let's skip the "no one" choice because who can resist a romance on an island.   That leaves Tania to kindle a relationship with divorced Nicos or fun loving Euan.

As I read the story, I lean back and forth between either man until the decision is easy.  Easy for me as the reader, not necessarily as easy for Tania, but she made a great decision!

Happy reading,

Dawn

Cruise of a Lifetime: Day 8 – Athens, Greece

So today was the day I had been waiting for since 6^th grade. I was finally going to walk around the acropolis! I couldn’t wait to get off the ship. We had booked a tour that would take us to see the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon.
 

We had another excellent guide on this excursion who told our fellow travelers about some of the myths around each of the venues. I was more than familiar with them, so spent my time soaking in the sights.

First stop was the Parthenon, Athena’s grand temple. I could not believe the entire top of the acropolis was marble! And in her glory, Athena was said to be white marble with gold accents. It must have been breath-taking and a bit overwhelming.

Another smaller temple stands near the Parthenon with the “Porch of the 6 Maidens.” This was a combined temple to both Athena and Poseidon. Both temples are being painstakingly preserved. Our guide said there are few artisans left who know how to do the work. Unfortunately, the temples have sustained bombing from early wars in addition to age and pollution.The maidens on the building now are actually replicas and the real ones are safely preserved in the Acropolis Museum.

From the acropolis I was able to see a temple I had long wondered about, the Temple of Hephaestus. We didn’t have time to see it up close, but I was thrilled to see it at all. I have written a story with that particular god as the hero, but that one is under a different name and not published yet :-)

 

Next we were off to see the temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion in Attica. It was about a 45 minute drive, most of it along beautiful coastline. When we arrived we found the hilltop of the temple was incredibly windy and the perfect place for this temple. 

 

 

It was an imposing place that looked out over the Aegean Sea. It was perched upon the cliff that King Aegeus threw himself off of, thus giving name to the water below. The temple is roped off because as far back as 1810 when Lord Byron took his Grand Tour, visitors have been carving their names into the stones. Yes, the Romantic poet's name is there :-)

It was here we were able to get a close up view of how these massive columns were constructed. They were actually built on the same principle that Legos use where one side would have a square hole and the other side would have a projecting square so they could be fit together.

It was a long day, but a wonderful experience and a dream come true. Though modern day Athens looks nothing like ancient Athens, walking around the temples definitely brought that ancient time alive for me.

After a lovely nap on the comfortable motor coach, we returned to our ship, ready to enjoy the evening’s dinner and entertainment. This night we were able to stay up as late as we wanted since the next day was at sea and no reason to wake up early. We were looking forward to a bit of relaxing.

Always, Lexi

www.lexipostbooks.com

 

Next: Day 9 – At Sea

Cruise of a Lifetime: Day 7 – Mykonos, Greece

On this morning we were especially excited because a friend of ours had recommended a particular beach for us to try. However, when we docked, the weather was not conducive to tanning. In fact, we had 35mph-40mph winds, so it turned into a bundle up and explore day…and we did :-)

Mykonos, unlike Santorini, was close to sea level which made access to the town of Salparo fairly easy. 

We discovered many little Greek Orthodox churches with their signature blue domes and found this quaint one, right on the ocean’s edge.

We walked down the many “streets” enjoying the architecture and views. It was a bit like walking through a maze, but I’m sure the locals are familiar with every corner.

At one point we entered a museum which gave us a glimpse of what the inside of some of the older, preserved homes would look like.

 

I loved wandering through the walkways as we never knew what we would discover.

One quaint little courtyard was so beautiful that we stopped in a restaurant there for refreshments. Yes, my husband just had to try another local beer.

 

What was different about the walkways in this town, was they had used white paint between all the stone as if they wanted to draw attention to it. Also, scooters and even small cars drove through.

 

Of course we didn’t have a map, so sometimes we got lost. One wrong turn brought us to a dead end and a grammar school. 

But getting lost was no problem because all we had to do was look for the sea and we could find our way back to the ship. And though we didn't go to a beach, we did get to sit by the water and dangle our hands in it :-)

I was so glad that I found the one Celebrity cruise that stopped at both Greek islands, Santorini and Mykonos, as each had its own special atmosphere and both were very friendly places.

Always, Lexi

www.lexipostbooks.com

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Next: Day 8 – Athens, Greece