The Island that Blew it's Top Off!!!

Geologically, Santorini can be explained by saying it was once a volcanic cone that blew it's top off...

no...really...according to Wikepedia...that's how Santorini became what it is today!

The port for Santorini is actually located in a large lagoon, surrounded by high cliffs...

In order to get to the island, the ship docks out in the center of the lagoon and the passengers are taken to shore on ship tenders...

A bit crowded...a bit stuffy...glad it was a calm sea!!!

Passing by another tender, and an interesting ship in the harbor...

Landing at the dock...

Now...we have a decision to make...walk up the stairs to the top of the cliff or ride the gondola????

Mykonos...what a great day!!!

Our first stop in Mykonos was the ATV rental shop...

The Hubman and I managed to fit on one!!!  

Hmmmm....trying to decide which beach to go to first....

Oh! Oh!!!  Look at this really charming little hotel...I want to stay here when we come back!!!   Just a short walk up the hill from that beautiful beach...

The requisite white buildings with blue doors...can't go to Greece and not take photos of this!!!

Sneakin' a peak!!!

The beach we settled on...

Art and Ricky showing off!!!

Beautiful beach, beautiful setting, beautiful people having fun, cooling off in the water...

Our intrepid vehicles of the day...

There's nothing more charming and relaxing than a little spot on the beach, with white tables and chairs and a palm frond covering...sitting and talking with good friends, eating a bite or two of the fabulous calamari, maybe drinking a beer or two...

Heaven!!!

Ancient Athens...

When I realized one of our stops in the Mediterranean would be Athens, I immediately thought of the Acropolis.  I had visions of photographs that would rival the pictures taken with Yanni or John Tesh back when New Age music was all the rage...you know,  the kind where the sun's setting behind the Acropolis...

Well, I did manage a bit of back lighting...we got there early in the morning...which is a good thing, because the weather forecast was for hot, hot, hot...

But what's that lacy stuff behind those stately columns???

Apparently, the Acropolis has been undergoing restoration since 1975.  The restoration project was designed to reverse damage from years of pollution, neglect, wars, and poorly done past restorations. 

When I saw all the scaffolding, and yes, cranes...I thought of Wayne at Meandering in Lotus Land...

Wayne...this post is dedicated to you!!!  

Looking out at the city of Athens, I was amazed at the high density of the urban sprawl... 

I still managed to get a few shots without the scaffolding...

and some with cranes...