Michael S. Liberman

Apr

29

Greece-Turkey Day 9: Athens

Disembarkation from the Louis Cristal is at 7 a.m., so the group gets an early start. Our first destination is Cape Sounion, the southernmost part of mainland Greece …

The Aegean Sea from Cape Sounion
Laurium, Greece • 37°39’0.20″ N 24°1’28.33″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 19 mm • ISO 100 • 1/250 sec at f/11

… and the site of the Temple of Poseidon.

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion
Laurium, Greece • 37°39’0.20″ N 24°1’28.33″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 19 mm • ISO 100 • 1/200 sec at f/11

Then we head back to Athens to see the Acropolis, including the Erechtheion (and the Porch of the Caryatids), the Parthenon, and the Theatre of Dionysus.

The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion
Laurium, Greece • 37°39’0.20″ N 24°1’28.33″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 19 mm • ISO 100 • 1/200 sec at f/11
Walking tour of the Acropolis
Athens, Greece • 37°58’16.72″ N 23°43’34.42″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/250 sec at f/11
The Erechtheum on the Acropolis
Athens, Greece • 37°58’16.72″ N 23°43’34.42″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 48 mm • ISO 100 • 1/200 sec at f/11
The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens
Athens, Greece • 37°58’16.72″ N 23°43’34.42″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/250 sec at f/11

Next we walk through the Plaka at the base of the Acropolis, stopping for lunch at Ta Youvetsakia, and meeting the friendly neighborhood butcher – who was happy to chat and didn’t want to charge for a picture.

A butcher shop in the Plaka in Athens
Athens, Greece • 37°58’17.64″ N 23°43’49.17″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 40 mm • ISO 100 • 1/50 sec at f/2.8

The final stop on our trip is the changing of the guard at Parliament.

The Greek Parliament Building in Athens
Athens, Greece • 37°58’31.24″ N 23°44’10.01″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/4000 sec at f/2.8

Then to the Hotel Stanley for an early dinner and a great view of Athens from the roof top.

Athens at night from the Hotel Stanley
Athens, Greece • 37°59’8.55″ N 23°43’15.95″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 24 mm f/1.4 • ISO 100 • 1/5 sec at f/2.2

It’s an early night. Tomorrow I have a 3 a.m. wake up call for the return flight to Dulles via Munich. Time to plan the next adventure. Maybe the Galapagos Islands?

Apr

28

Author:
Michael

Comment

Greece-Turkey Day 8: Crete

We’re docked in the beautiful port of Heraklion on the island of Crete. Rocca de Mare, a Venetian fortress, is at the entrance to the harbor.

The Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare in the port of Heraklion
Heraklion, Greece • 35°20’34.30″ N 25°8’3.92″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/400 sec at f/4.0

After disembarking we take a bus ride through the countryside …

The countryside in Crete on the bus to Epano Archanos
Epano Archanes, Greece • 35°14’11.78″ N 25°9’32.55″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 19 mm • ISO 180 • 1/30 sec at f/11

… and stop at the Miliarakis Winery for a wine tasting. Next it’s back on the bus for another ride with stunning vistas …

The countryside in Crete on the bus to Epano Archanos
Epano Archanes, Greece • 35°14’11.78″ N 25°9’32.55″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 38 mm • ISO 110 • 1/30 sec at f/11

… to the town of Epano Archanos and dancing at the Crete Tabepna.

Greek dancing at Crete Tabepna
Epano Archanes, Greece • 35°14’11.78″ N 25°9’32.55″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 1250 • 1/30 sec at f/2.8

Back in Heraklion we shop in the market …

Walking through the market in Heraklion
Heraklion, Greece • 35°20’29.33″ N 25°8’3.41″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/200 sec at f/11

… and have a late lunch at Tevnvta.

Mickey and Donna enjoying “Greek Tapas” at Tevnvta in the market in Heraklion
Heraklion, Greece • 35°20’29.33″ N 25°8’3.41″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 26 mm • ISO 100 • 1/100 sec at f/2.8

Tomorrow our cruise ends and we tour Athens and the Arcopolis.

Apr

27

Author:
Michael

Comment

Greece-Turkey Day 7: Santorini

By morning we are anchored in the Santorini caldera.

Thira seen from Nea Kameni Island
Greece • 36°24’17.61″ N 25°23’45.44″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 55 mm • ISO 100 • 1/100 sec at f/5.6

And at 8:30 a.m. we are hiking on Nea Kameni island in the center of the caldera.

Hiking the Nea Kameni Island volcanic crater
Greece • 36°24’17.61″ N 25°23’45.44″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 28 mm • ISO 100 • 1/60 sec at f/9.0

We take the bus to Oia, stop for lunch at Thalami Traditional Cafe, and enjoy the view.

Oia overlooking the Santorini caldera
Oia, Greece • 36°27’42.83″ N 25°22’33.20″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 31 mm • ISO 100 • 1/500 sec at f/8.0

Then it’s back to Thira, a stop of Greek coffee at Classico Cafe, and the cable car trip (better than walking or riding the donkey) down the caldera cliff for the tender boat back to the Louis Cristal.

Thira from the cable car
Thira, Greece • 36°25’10.38″ N 25°25’43.18″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 55 mm • ISO 100 • 1/200 sec at f/8.0

Apr

26

Author:
Michael

Comment

Greece-Turkey Day 6: Patmos and Kasadasi

Today is about history.

First stop – Patmos, to see the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse and Monastery. This is where John wrote the Book of Revelations.

The view of Patmos from the Cave of the Apocalypse
Patmos, Greece • 37°18’52.01″ N 26°32’40.38″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 19 mm • ISO 100 • 1/100 sec at f/8.0
Overlooking the port of Patmos
Patmos, Greece • 37°18’52.01″ N 26°32’40.38″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 45 mm • ISO 100 • 1/125 sec at f/8.0
The Aegean Sea from the Cave of the Apocalypse
Patmos, Greece • 37°18’52.01″ N 26°32’40.38″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 45 mm • ISO 100 • 1/100 sec at f/8.0

Then it’s back aboard the Louis Cristal for lunch and the four hour cruise to Kusadasi to see the spectacular Ephesus Archaeological Site.

Touring the Ephesus Archaelogical Site
Selçuk, Turkey • 37°56’10.81″ N 27°20’40.69″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/160 sec at f/11
Touring the Ephesus Archaelogical Site
Selçuk, Turkey • 37°56’14.58″ N 27°20’34.59″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 20 mm • ISO 100 • 1/320 sec at f/8.0
The Temple of Hadrian at the Ephesus Archaelogical Site
Selçuk, Turkey • 37°56’14.58″ N 27°20’34.59″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/320 sec at f/8.0
The Library of Celsus at the Ephesus Archaelogical Site
Selçuk, Turkey • 37°56’20.47″ N 27°20’28.41″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 17 mm • ISO 100 • 1/320 sec at f/7.1
The Theater at the Ephesus Archaelogical Site
Selçuk, Turkey • 37°56’29.70″ N 27°20’29.05″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 at 40 mm • ISO 100 • 1/250 sec at f/8.0

It’s Chocolate Buffet night aboard the Louis Cristal and the desert artisans on staff have gone overboard 🙂 creating some incredible and delicious late night treats.

Dessert night aboard the Louis Cristal
Greece • 37°6’55.43″ N 26°21’19.21″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 24 mm f/1.4 • ISO 900 • 1/30 sec at f/1.4
Dessert night aboard the Louis Cristal
Greece • 37°6’55.43″ N 26°21’19.21″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 24 mm f/1.4 • ISO 110 • 1/30 sec at f/1.4
Dessert night aboard the Louis Cristal
Greece • 37°6’55.43″ N 26°21’19.21″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 24 mm f/1.4 • ISO 160 • 1/30 sec at f/1.4
Dessert night aboard the Louis Cristal
Greece • 37°6’55.43″ N 26°21’19.21″ E
Nikon D7000 • Nikkor 24 mm f/1.4 • ISO 160 • 1/30 sec at f/1.4

Apr

25

Author:
Michael

Comment

Greece-Turkey Day 5: Mykonos

By now the group is settling into a comfortable rhythm. Wake up in a new part of the Aegean, tour an island or a city all day, find a cafe for a Greek coffee in the afternoon, then enjoy dinner and the evening entertainment on the Louis Cristal. Today at Mykonos is no different.