Akrokorinth

[Jona Lendering]

I'm just back from Greece, where I survived a heat wave. There are many forest fires (I understood that on one day, there were more than hundred). This one is remarkable:



The hill surrounded by fire is the Akrokorinth; the town in front is modern Corinth, and the photo was -yes- taken from Loutraki, a spa with a casino, where I was unable to win back the money I spent on my holiday. :wink:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

WOW I'm flABBRGASTED!!!! Go to Greece, and then spend you holiday in a casino!!! :roll: This is what modern research is all about eh!! Eh!!! :roll:

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :lol: :lol:

That is an amazing pic Jona! I have relatives in Athens, I think the fires there were fairly close to them as well! hock:

Where all did you go? Any more pics?

[Jona Lendering]

Where all did you go? Any more pics?

We started in Thessaloniki; I have many photos from the buildings of Galerius and the museum, but we spent most of our time in Byzantine churches and the Byzantine Museum, which is lovely. After several days, we rented a car and went to Kavala, in the meantime visiting Eion (no remains of the Persian palace visible), Amphipolis (confused site), and Philippi (splendid).

This excursion lasted three days; after returning to Thessaloniki, we went to Vergina (not many changes since seven years ago, but part of the site is now closed), and Verria; next day a giant leap across Tempe (nice swim), Halos (where I gained my spurs as an archaeologist), Thermopylae (nothing new) to Delphi, where we spent two days. The Delphian Museum has changed a lot, but the dog-like guards were as unkind as ever.

Osios Loukas was waiting (sublime Byzantine frescoes), and after that, Corinth, which I had visited twenty years ago; it was as if I had never been there before. After trips to Epidaurus and Eleusis (not to mention the casino of Loutraki), we spent the last days in a terribly hot Athens, which -in spite of the fact that I can not stand great heat- did not disappoint. We needed some more rest than usual (Athens is terribly fatiguing), so I had an opportunity to read the latest Harry Potter as well. One trip to Sounion and Brauron (where I had never been) and Marathon (not many changes).

Photos? Yes, loads of them, and they will be on-line when I will find time to write things. Still, the most splendid photos are from Byzantine churches etc. The Athenian Museum of Christian and Byzantine Art is the most beautiful exhibition I saw this year.

My last visit to Greece was seven years ago; much has changed, and everything for the better. The Athenian metro is probably the best thing that has happened to Athens since the colonels were sent packing.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

The metro is great! But i like the pedestrian walk around the acropolis too! It was just open when I was the in '03.

Have they made any progression the Acropolis museum! It was still a massive hole in '03. And they were still pulling artifacts out if I recall. My hotel had a grandstand view!! I still have plenty to see there, so will not be disappointed if I go back, I'm sure! 8)

[Jona Lendering]

Have they made any prograsson the Acroplois museum?

Yes, but it is not a nice type of progress: the old museum has been closed for three weeks now, and the new museum will be opened next year... A good reason to return.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

As for the dog-security guards at Delphi, I found that if you take their picture, they suddenly find their manners again!

One told me they were closing and I had to go back out, as I was going up past the treasury of Athens. So I started heading back down.
Then a man and his young daughter came up and asked how to get to the theater, and he gave them directions over the hill, the way I had been going before!! He obviously hadn't noticed that I was still around, so I made a big deal of taking his photograph, and he left me alone to wander after that! He looks worried for some reason in the picture!!!!

I would add a few names that came to mind, but I believe there are ladies and children who frequent these pages! :wink:

[Magnus]

That is a phenominal picture Jona.