traveling in Greece – Zihuatanejo

The weather in Athens has been quite lovely. Warm in the low 90’s, but with out the humidity I have so become accustom to. It feels great! Skies are a bit hazy which I’m sure is due to the outlying wild fires they are experiencing. But now it’s time to go cruising.

This boat is enormous. I don’t think I will ever find my way easily.

Had a “meet up” with other solo travelers shortly after boarding and some of us dined together on our first evening aboard. I’m always amazed at how many cruises people have been on. This is my first large ship cruise and already I think I prefer a small boat.

Started the morning with wine tasting and a lovely view.

Then into the towns of Santorini. The drive up to the top of the steep cliffs is an adventure all of it’s own. These oversized tour busses manage the steep climb and hairpin turns with amazing grace, they know when to wait at a tight corner so the approaching bus can pass by. The buildings are all painted white with blue shutters and trim. Oila is a lovely layered city perched at the top of the cliffs and spilling part way down the hillside giving stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea with it’s blue and turquoise waters. The town is full of charming shops and restaurants any enormously crowed with tourist.

Back at the ship I have joined the solo travelers group and have met some interesting folks. Some of us have dinner together which has been quite pleasant. The food is very good with the menus varying each day. The wine and liquor flows from an immense number of speciality bars and lounges, many with entertainment thru the late afternoon and evening hours.

Day 2 of the cruise I chose to do a guided walking tour of Mykonos and learned much of the local color. Up until the last 30 years Greek families were large with many children if you had two or more daughters you needed to provide your daughter with a house upon marriage. The youngest daughters responsibility was to live and take care of her parents during their old age. So often the upper floor of the parents home became her and her husbands home. If you. Only had sons, then your daughter in law had the responsibility of carrying for you. Marriages were often arranged so that all were taken care of.

90 percent of Greeks are Greek Orthodox and 10 percent Catholic, this community had 3 Greek Orthodox churches, and one Catholic Church. The domes of the Greek Orthodox are painted red, and the Catholic one is beige.

Had my first and last taste of ozo . It tastes like licorice and I do not like licorice.

A glass of wine and a salad of watermelon, feta cheese and a glass of wine at a seaside restaurant completed my visit. Then it was back to the boat for rest and socializing

Mykonos is known as a party town and has been since the 50’s when a few wealthy folks showed up to relax and vacation, next came the movie stars and celebrities, then the hippies, followed by the gay and lesbian communities. Now everyone one comes to party, life does really start until sunset and the day tourists return to the cruise ships.