On a short ferryboat ride to the Island of Elafonisos, Greece I captured this image of mooring rope twisted around two rusted blue bollards. The vibrant medley of blues in the sea, sky, and boat caught my attention. As I look at the image now, I feel like I’m once again on the ferryboat gazing out…
Tag: WordPress Photo Challenge
Happiness Comes in Waves
“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” -Van Morrison
No cell phone?
Unlikely! But in case you need an alternative, you can still find a few phone boxes around Athens, Greece.
Time-Worn Doors of Monemvasia
Last week, we had a post from Debi @ An Evolving Life about doors in the old medieval town of Monemvasia in Laconia, Greece. Debi shared an informative summary of the history of Monemvasia, formerly known as Malvasia or Malmsey, the latter the name given to it by English travelers. Debi’s selection of doors nicely complimented…
Pathway to the Beach
Wordless Wednesday
Modern Lines – The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is a modern architectural treasure in Athens, Greece designed by Renzo Piano. It was built on an abandoned seafront property in the southern suburbs of Athens. Today the property has been transformed into a hilltop complex that includes an opera house, a new home for the National Library of Greece,…
Street Art in Athens
From stunning murals to personalized tags, prolific street artists in Athens, Greece, have covered nearly every surface with paint. Stroll through Plaka, Monastiraki, and Psiri, and you will find many businesses and abandoned homes covered in graffiti. It’s surreal to see once beautiful, traditional homes plastered with tags. From the looks of the places in…
Maui
To awaken in a tropical paradise is one of the most pleasant sensations in the world. I am not the same having seen the sun rise and set on the lush green tropical landscape and restless ocean waters of Maui. Spoiled by its beauty, I left wanting more.
Spanish Style Gardens & Doors
Do you have a special local spot you go to when you need an escape from the bustle of daily life? For me, it’s the Spanish-influenced gardens and artisan shops at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park. Every season brings different blooms and lush green vegetation thanks to our mild California climate. I last visited…
Bare Bones Landscaping Co.
I’m currently looking for a landscape company to design and install our patio garden. While I’d like a low-cost solution, this company looks a little too bare bones for my tastes. Heehee. On the serious side, the owners of the Pond House Cafe in West Hartford have a good sense of humor. This clever Halloween garden…
Neapolis Bay
Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Axes & Red Doors
No matter how often I visit family and friends in Connecticut, I always find time to visit Collinsville for lunch at LaSalle’s Market & Deli and a stroll around the historic Collins Axe Company. The vibrant, barn red buildings of the former Axe Factory house an antique shop, a variety of artisans, and other small,…
By the Sea
Nothing lifts my spirits more than a lazy afternoon on a beach chair watching the sun’s reflection on a calm blue sea. If I could live anywhere, there is no other place I’d rather be than by the sea. To quote Jacques Yves Cousteau, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its…
Street Details: Los Gatos
Today, a selection of street details that caught my eye in Los Gatos, California. I was drawn to the patina of aged wood and painted corrugated metal siding on the backside of a shop called Natural Creations. Plants growing on the inside of the shop peeked through cracks in the structure. A toy dog was humorously…
A Parade of Tourists at Mycenae
After an overnight stay in Nafplio, off we went to the archaeological site of Mycenae in the Argolis region of Peloponnese. It was early October, typically low season for tourists, our favorite time of year to vacation in Greece. We looked forward to a quiet stroll around the citadel. Our exploration of Mycenae started at the archaeological…
Unworldly Beauty at the Alviso Salt Ponds
One late summer day, I headed to Alviso Marina County Park for my usual walk on the trails around the tall grasses of the saltwater marshes. The day was sunny and breezy without a cloud in the sky. The onshore breeze kept me cool and put me in the mood to explore beyond my comfort…
Street Scenes in Nafplio
After falling in love with Nafplio, Peloponnese in the late summer of 2016, we knew we’d have to return to this charming seaside town next time we visited Greece, and got the chance to do so this past October. Our friends had suggested we stay at Hotel King Othon, a 100-year-old neoclassical property within walking distance…
The Sweet Taste of Satisfaction
While I’m not Greek, I’m a lucky gal married to a Greek, and love all things Greek, especially Greek food. It’s an annual tradition for us to celebrate my birthday with a classic Greek meal of grilled lamb chops with baklava for dessert. Ah, the sweet taste of satisfaction when I bite into a juicy,…
Bay Area Coastal Towns
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, we have the pleasure of hosting many family and friends from across the states and overseas. Of course, San Francisco and Napa Valley always top the must-see list for first-time visitors. Nevertheless, we manage to lure our guests on a tour of our favorite Bay Area…
My Loves
One of the hardest parts of travel is leaving our sweet dog Buddy behind. While I know he is in good hands while we’re away; he’s my baby. As far as Buddy is concerned, he doesn’t mind; he’s having fun at doggy Disneyland, playing with his friends all day. Inspiration: Beloved.
