OCT/09 ISLAND HOPPING TO IOS & SANTORINI,(Volcanic Island) (Cyclades)

The last day before leaving Naxos, will we ever be back....? ! That morning I made a very important connection that changed our journey but more on that ...later...

A very, very interesting shop run by an older Greek man and family; spices, herbs, dried fruits (we buy apricots, figs), Naxox cheeses, wines, hand brooms, on and on...a world unto itself....We have found our way around and now 'know' the shops...I love it!

A chapel dedicated to all who venture upon the waters beyond...I well remember this chapel 42 years ago when we left via small fish boat to Delos, the sacred island. It was supposed to be a l.5 hr. trip; it took 6 hrs. I thought I was going to die and passed out down below.

You can see the chapel in this photo. I love this perspective. Will I ever be back? It had taken me 42 years...to come back.

The Portara, The Great Gate, saying good-bye, promising to be here long after I am gone.

The main harbour of Ios. We thought of going back here. It looked small and quiet but found out later it was considered a 'party' island.

Very typical on these islands. Old terracing at a time when the islanders mainly depended on their own crops.

First view of Santorini, in the far background....and the village on the west slopes of the crescent which makes up the 'Caldera', the cauldron. Now the islanders depend more and more on outside crops and the terraces are holding new homes, villas.

SANTORINI-- Nothing could prepare me for the sight as I rounded the corner of this terracing! A crescent shaped high floating ridge of an island. Beyond this ridge the island descends in a gentle slope to the ocean with vineyards of olive and grape. "Along this coast lie several beaches.

The island of Santorini is a high ridge with some land sloping as above but basically is a ridge on which 4 towns have grown with the water below the ridge --to the left and to the right.

3600 years ago there was a major explosion; the people escaped with lots of warning. But the whole inner part of the island--where the 'Caldera' is now and Big and Little Burn (2 volcanic islands) blew up. Some say that is where Atlantis disappeared. You have to see it to believe it! On the far side the island ridge encircles the Caldera & and also on the west there is more on the island and a ridge.

Like WOW!!!! Yes, this truly does look like what the travel books say....snow! We stayed towards the left at a family guest room above their restaurant. The only ones staying there. We were so lucky! The different layerings of rock formations....iron, limestone, volcanic ash compressed....

One of the roads up and also the route of the cablecar and donkey trails carrrying tourists and goods up.

Amazing beyond!

The ferry passed by one of the volcanic islands in the 'Cauldron' (caldera) This is the larger one called 'Big Burn' and beyond is 'Small Burn'. Volcanic Rock....incredible and this is probably 80 feet high. Just on the other side is the volcanic opening.

Well, here it is, a huge boulder as you can see by the size of the houses made of volcanic rock. This is way up at the top of the ridge.

OCT/09 NAXOS, GREEK ISLAND (Cyclades -'Encircling')

Leaving Piraeus Port heading to the Greek Islands!

Chora, Naxos' main town

A collection of photos of the Old Town. An amazing labyrinth, pathways and portals with a surprise at every turn.

A beautiful Eastern Orthodox Church on the prehistoric site which goes back to Neolithic times, about 7000 BC

A fairly new statue on the causeway leading to the gateway called 'Portara'...made of Naxos' white marble.

What would the ancient ones say?

More...

I spent special time wandering and winding along these pathways, tunnels, sat and watched the light play. I was here 42 years ago...Chora has not changed that much; this part is virtually untouched. This is a photographer's treasure trove and I soaked up as much as I could. It would be a great place to settle into and do art or write.

Just keep scrolling down everyone! I will have to fix at another time.

A quiet lovely time at a sidewalk cafe.

One of my favourite things to do.

Again...

The 'Portara', the Great Gate -once part of a temple to Apollo, the god of Light, Poetry, Music, Divination & Prophecy. We enjoyed a sunset here as I played a new instrument to me, a harmonica. One of those very special memories...

A Venetian castle, the Castra, of the 12 th Century. Still lived in by an Italian family it is now a wonderful walk-through museum & also holds small concerts.

6th Cent. BC, Naxos is known for its sparkly white marble. It was used also for the sacred temples of the island of Delos

I love this one...the pathway...to there and back!

The dining room and seating area of the Castra.

Cellar of the Castra.

Winding up to the Castra.

Terrace at our first 'studio'. On the islet in the distant you can just see the Portara.

Stairs up to the red door of our studio.

New place with a yet better view and ...chickens below...something I have always wanted to have an experience with.

Pomegrantes for the picking. They say "I am not getting older, I am just getting riper!"

Eastern Orthodox Church just below & and to the side of the sidewalk running down from our studio past the chickens. This is where I went to a service. It was a very memorable time...the inner chapel was a deep emerald colour with bronzes, oranges, yellows, reds ...Biblical scenes as murals, intense and dynamic; the icons were prolific, they had a blessing of the children...about 30 of them. I lit candles...for David, my brother, my two children, Jennifer & Andrew & for myself.

The night before there was a big celebration of twins...obviously a boy & and girl. There was a christening in the church with a font encircled with blue flowers and one with pink flowers. About 150 crowded into this yard.