Sunsets, Volcanoes, And All Things Greek

Howdy All,

Sorry, I have been playing catch up around here, but I have not forgotten about my little promise. I do have much to tell, so please settle in, grab a Diet Coke, and lets get to it.

Day 1
We arrive in Greece on separate flights. I arrived a couple of hours prior to Care Bear's flight so I sat and watched the gate intently for her arrival. Of course she was delayed, but I was not to be dissuaded, and my diligence persisted. Finally, to much excitement her flight came in, and I my excitement turned into a gitty hysterics as I watched for her through the gate. I was rather surprised at my anxiety, but she was the obvious cause, as I was calmed upon seeing her. She was so beautiful me as though I had not seen her in ages. How long 4 months can seem. We found our escort, and arrived at the beautiful Electra Palace Hotel in the heart of Athens. The evening was ours alone, as we wished it to be.

Day 2
This was our first big excursion into Athens, and our day of ancient exploration as well. We visited the Temple of Zeus, the Acropolis, and the original Olympic stadium first built in the 19th century. To end our tour, we visited the Parliament building, and then proceeded on to McDonald's. It was a, well, perhaps a unique experience at best. Ground beef is not a Greek forte. Moving on, we visited the Plaka shopping district and then walked back to the hotel. After some rest, we ventured back out for dinner, and some Athenian night life. The city is amazing after dark. The streets are filled with vendors and napping dogs. Yep, lots of dogs lying in the pedestrian roads throughout the shopping district. Their slumber would not be interrupted by even the most vociferous of shoppers and tourist. Back to the hotel for some rest.

Day 3
We caught the ride to Piraeus, port to adventure. We were whisked away on a high speed ferry ride of 5 hours to Mykonos Island. Once there we met our escort to the Princess of Mykonos Hotel. Again, wonderful accommodations and comforting friendly receptions from the locals. Dinner was at the hotel, and it was amazing. That was the second best meal on the trip. What was the best you ask. Keep reading. No venturing out that evening. We stayed in and played cards. Yeah, right.

Day 4
Adventure into Mykonos. We walked down to the bus stop and awaited the shuttle. Once in town, we explored. It was adorable quaint and inviting. The shops were close together and found in a myriad of cobblestone pedestrian streets which were at most 5 or 6 feet wide. More shopping to be had, and more local cuisine to dine upon. It was a long day, but very fun. After a long wait for the shuttle, we were back to the hotel. Dinner was again at the hotel because we enjoyed so much. We were already making friends and the staff greeted us as such. I love this place!

Day 5
Second full day in Mykonos, but it was to be a beach excursion. We had decided on Paradise Beach, a vacationer haven for the hippie minded masses. After a shuttle ride into town, we walked through the town, only to get lost for some time before finding the second bus area where we would catch the second shuttle which headed out to the beach. In retrospect, we should have rented a vehicle, but it was an experience in it's own right. Upon arrival to the beach we settle down under an umbrella and enjoyed the sun. Oh, and we enjoyed the view as well, and I don't mean the water. We had quit an experience for a couple of kids from Texas. An eyeful, so to speak. Europeans enjoy the beach with much more fervor than do Americans. I will leave it at that. Once we were appropriately barbecued, we headed out, catching the shuttle back to town. Dinner in town, and then onward to the hotel.

An aside, if I may. How beautiful my wife was on this trip. So healing was her smile. So warm were her eyes. I knew then how much I had truly missed her. As we walked through the streets of Mykonos, I was blessed to have her at my side.

Day 6
An early lunch at the hotel, they opened an hour early for us alone. Texas friendly does do them justice. Greeks are truly wonderful people. After that, our next ferry ride, which would take us to Santorini Island. Named by the Spanish after St. Irene, it was formerly known as Thira, which is remembered in the name of the city we stayed. A caldera formed from a volcanic eruption in 1800 BC, the group of islands are a candidate for Atlantis, and have become a must for sunset and beach enthusiasts alike. We stayed at Dana Villas located on the interior cliffside of the caldera on the main island. Our first evening was kissed by a sunset so beautiful that God himself must marvel at its wonder. I was in love with this world, and only my wife held my heart with greater pull. I warn you though, Do not stay in Thira unless you have good strong legs, and a desire to hike.

Day 7
Road trip. We rented a small car, and took off across the island. So many places and so much to see. We visited red beach, nested along a great pumice cliff. A geologists dream vacation. Ancient Akrotiri, much to our disappointment, was closed, but it gave us a reason to plan a return trip in the future, as though we would need a reason. We ventured to the highest point on the island and gazed down into the sea. How much amazement could I possibly stand? Eventually we wandered down into the flat lands of the island and arrived at the infamous black sand beaches. Again, I have never seen such wonderful beachfront. Hot though (it's black, remember) so where sandals. Okay, we had to head back, but the evening was another night out for dinner and a very cool foggy night.

Day 8
Day at sea. We took a trip down the sky lift to the old port of Thira to catch our day ship excursion. The visit to the volcanic center of the caldera was another long journey, with a 45 minute hike up to the top for a whiff of sulfuric fumes, and then a 30 minute trek back down. Obsidian can be slippery, so be careful. After that was a trip to the hot springs, but we were too tired to try the swim to shore, so we stayed on the boat and relaxed. Our final stop was a port stop of Thiricia for some lunch, and ice cream. I didn't try the squid. Don't ask me to, either. Finally back to port and onward to the hotel. The evening was a night out on town for some shopping, and dinner. This was the best meal of the trip with the most amazing oven baked pizza I have ever had, along with some delicious pasta. Back to the hotel for some us time.

Day 9
Not enough time, but we had to bid farewell to Santorini and catch our ferry back to Piraeus and then Athens. We again stayed at the Electra Palace, in a honeymoon suite on the top floor. So excited were we, that we dined in on room service, and enjoyed the time together. After that we headed out into the Plaka for one final evening of good Greek fun and hospitality. Not enough time, but we were truly exhausted by this point. Bed time.

Day 10
All good things tend to come to an end, and this was no exception. No sooner did we arrive, that we had to say farewell to each other. No detail is needed other than to say that neither of us wanted to leave this place, nor each other. Sadness. Till the next time.

I Think I Went On Vacation

Howdy Ya'll!

Well, I have returned from my adventures in Greece. It was beautiful. I will fill you in with all the juicy details later. For now, just be content with the fact that I have finally returned to Iraq with most of my sanity. It was an unsettling ordeal trying to get back to work once I arrived in Kuwait. I suppose it is not an easy task mobilizing contractors back into country, but I would not have assumed that it would be so frustrating.

Venting aside, I am back and getting back into the groove of things as it were. Everything is getting back to normal, and it seems that everyone here was able to handle everything without me. I would like to think that they were ready to close up shop without me around, but I guess that this work will go on with any of around or not.

Okay, I am trying to get focused on work so I will let you all get back to your own. Let's see how well you work when you have howitzer fire going off in the background. Take care all of you and I am glad to be back with you all.

-Pooh out.

The Blue Waters Of The Gulf

Howdy,

I know what you are thinking, "water is blue?" Yes, much to my surprise, unlike the beautiful brown waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the waters edge here in Kuwait is bathed in sparkling blue.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have safely traveled out of Iraq, and am awaiting transport over to the airport here in Kuwait from where I will fly to Athens to rendezvous with my lovely wife. Kuwait is still a desert country, by any definition, but it does not have the scars of recent war. I am enjoying my lazy day, with no responsibility other than what I would have for lunch, or when I might take a nap.

Today, of course, it would only be appropriate to say goodbye, wish well, and thank you to a great leader. Ronald Reagan shaped my political philosophies, and provided a moral and convicted example of what free men should strive to become and believe. He will be missed. For those of you who may disagree in my assessment of the Gipper, just remember that it is because of men such as him that you continue to have the freedom of thought and opinion to do so.

Also, many thanks to those brave soldiers who gave their lives for the continuation of our own. May D-Day never be forgotten, and may it always be remembered as the day when freedom proved more powerful than tyranny could ever achieve.

I hope you are all well, and I look forward to returning from my R&R to tell of our adventures here on the ol' blog. We'll talk again soon. Until then, I would suggest that you pick up a hobby. Perhaps needle point, or learning a dead language. Till then....

-Pooh out.