The Rusty Hinge Travel Blog - M. Hixson

Its captivating...and fascinating...almost magical ...Yes, thats what it is! The sun in Greece,
either setting behind the mountains or into the sea, everytime it gives me the same feeling of
awareness, of how lucky I am for having everything I have, or how I don't really need those
that I don't. Its truly magical..

When by looking at this picture, you can almost taste the salt that has dried on your lips

A sunset in the middle of somewhere in the barren area of Mani.

In Cape Sounio in Athens or from inside the car on your way back home from Pelion.

Just Beautiful.....

The first one of the seven churches was established by St. Paul in Philippi in 49 AD.

Lydia, the first Greek christian woman was baptised in Philippoi by Paul himself
in the river Zegakti.

Many women choose to be baptised there today

Ancient Phillipoi

Vasiliki_a_big

Vasiliki A was a church built around 500 AD, and its size (136 m. long and 50 m. wide)
and position in the city proved how glorious it was. It was probably destroyed by an
earthquake around 600 AD and never rebuilt.

Vasiliki B , was built around 550 AD.

THESSALONIKI

Paul visited Thessaloniki right after Philippoi. His trip lasted 5-6 days and on his way
there he stopped in two more cities Amphipoli and Apollonia.
Despite the fact that he was prosecuted he managed to establish his second church
there and left for Verea .

The following sites are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Agios Dimitrios ~ Built around 650 AD.

The Rotonda ~ Built around 306 AD by Ceasar Galerius probably as a temple of Zeus.

Hagia Sophia ~Built around the mid 7th century replacing a Vasilica of the 5th century.

VEREA

Paul found a more open hearted audience in Verea, and was able to establish the third
church there. When his Jewish prosecutors found out that he was in Verea, they went
after him so he had to leave again. And he went to Athens.

This is one of the places where Paul was preaching in Verea.

The church "Resurrection of Christ " built around 1300

The Old Mitropolis ~ Built in 1070 AD.

NIKOPOLIS
St. Paul visited Nikopolis on his fourth Jouney in 65AD.

Just perfect!!

at the beach outside the hotel in Mavrovouni

monemvasia ~ the island

Marylin, James and Cailtlyn on the way to the castle

Coffee break

The explorers..

..at the top of the wall

catching our breath

James ,Caitlyn and Freddy posing next to a 500yo Olive tree

Ancient marble ruins~ It is said that during early christian times Greek temples were destroyed and replaced by churches

The founding of the town and fortress of Monemvassia most probably occurred in the 6th century AD

Somebody got tired ;D

At the caves of Dyros

An underground river moving through the limestone.

Human remnants from the Neolithic times have been discovered in the caves.

Cave divers have attempted to explore the cave and it is believed that the river system goes as far north as Sparta.

For first 1200m of the cave you have to use a boat, and the last 300 are by foot.


little boat at the beach of Dyros

Leonidas Tomb in Sparta

Leonidas statue

James posing for his own statue

Pegasus at the main square

In corinth

Details from a church

always room for an Amstel or two..

http://www.bluestarferries.com/site/content.asp?sel=635&loc=2

Ferryboats to the Greek Islands

The best way to the Greek islands is by ferry boat. They are cheap and relaxing
with restaurants, snack bars and beautiful scenery. The boats to the far Greek islands
like Crete, Rhodes, Lesvos & Kos leave in the evening. With a cabin it's like going to
sleep in a hotel and waking up in a new place. The new ferries are like airplanes on
the sea. You sit in comfortable chairs, they show movies on the TV and there are
snackbars with decent food. Frequency of boats vary from island to island. To get to
the port of Pireaus from Athens take the metro from the stop closest to you (probably
Monastiraki or Omonia) to the last stop: Pireaus. The boats are across the street. There
is a map on the dock that tells you where to find the ferries for each island. If you don't
have a ticket you can buy them at the boat too though if you want a cabin you should get
it in advance. Also if you are traveling to the islands on the days preceding Easter and the
15th of August or any Friday in July and August you should buy your tickets in advance.
The same goes with returning after those dates and on Sundays.

There's a shuttle bus in the harbor that can take you to the further boats. Ferry Schedules
come out in the Kathemerini insert in the International Herald Tribune every day but infortunately
by the time you wake up half of them are gone since the majority leave between 7 and 8am.
Finding reliable ferry info for travel between the islands on the internet is like finding an 8 Karat
diamond in a gum machine. The schedules are changed so often that webmasters have had nervous
breakdowns trying to keep up.

Always with a few days to spare , you can either fly there or just go by boat.

Personally I would never choose to fly , I always enjoy the boat ride no matter
how long it is. You get to see all kinds of people , from backpackers to 6- children
-families , you can relax and get in the "vacation mood" , smell the sea.. enjoy the
sun with a little bit of music..

Paros is an island that has it all in a balance, not too wild , not too quiet. or maybe both.
Night clubs or lounge bars, crowded beach on one side - secluded on the other side of
the island.

paros

paros p

Mykonos speaks for itself. if you want peace and quiet you're on the wrong island...
Crazy rhythym, lots of parties, and occasional nudity. Definitely not a place for
a family holiday!!
Perhaps the most expensive destination in Greece.

Mykonos Greece

Mykonos

Santorini is the island of romance - ideal for honeymooners ( like us) with its spectacular
sunset and the breathtaking view.
Definitely a keeper!

santorini1

santorini 2