My Oyster

Naxos - More Adventures - It is a Big Island...

Today was our last full day on Naxos and on the islands.The pic above is our dinner on the beach after a full day of exploring. There were several things we had wanted to do when we rented a car a few days ago - but did not have the time (or energy) for. So we thought we would rent a car today and see a bit more of the island.  Unfortunately, all the automatic cars on the island were rented.  Sometimes it doesn't pay to be last minute planners like us.  So we decided to stay in the main city and see some of the museums we had missed on our first day here.  Buuut - it is Monday, so everything was closed. With our options increasingly limited, we decided to just roam a bit.  We ducked into a car rental agency or two just confirm that none REALLY had an automatic.  None did - until we hit an agency - something like Fun RIde and Buggy. They not only had an automatic - but upgraded us to a sexy Audi.  And we were off to explore more of Naxos!

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 11 of our trip to Greece...

Nature...

I have fallen for these olive trees.  All over this island and everywhere in Greece, I think.

Beauty...

Sun rising on the hill outside our hotel. 

Fun...

Jean found one more secluded and natural beach, Agia Anna, for a last dip in the Agean. 

Spirit...

Small Orthodox churches everywhere. Including on this bluff overlooking the beach.

Just liked it...

Lunch in Chalkia. Busy and fun 

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

The Smaller Cyclades - Big on Beauty...

Early breakfast then on a ferry to Paros - a smaller island just 50 minutes or so from Naxos. We had heard and read it was beautiful and fun to explore.  Absolutely true. Interesting villages, great beaches, scenic drives. We just hopped off the ferry and rented a Hyundai and were off to explore.  We even drove onto another ferry to an even smaller island Antiparos - which is just opposite Paros and only 7 minutes away by boat. It was a beautiful day. The pic above is us enjoying a coffee and planning our day in a small church square in Noussa - a beautiful village on Paros.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 10 of our trip to Greece...

Nature...

Our first swim of the day. Stunning and pretty secluded Lageri on Paros. 

Beauty...

These boats were just bobbing in the small main port on Antiparos. 

Fun...

I am kind of amazed at how much I have enjoyed driving here.  Our Hyundai from today. Loved it.

Spirit...

On the ferry from Naxos to Paros, we passed this lonely church on a rocky cliff.

Just liked it...

I have loved watching Jean be the explorer - finding beautiful beaches every day in every nook and cranny of the islands.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Getting to know Naxos...

We decided to stay on Naxos rather than one of the other Cyclades islands because it is less of a scene (than Mykonos and Santorini), is the largest in this group of islands, and the most diverse (according to what we read). It is also the greenest island with lots of nature. There is hiking, great archeological sites, many churches, quaint villages, and wonderful beaches. Of course, some good mythology too. Zeus, father of all gods, was born on Crete but was brought up on Naxos - the island's tallest mountain, Zas, is named for him  We rented a car today and experienced all of that. The pic above is after lunch in on mountain village, Απείρανθος Νάξος.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 9 of our trip to Greece...

Nature...

We saw and heard this older Greek woman as we were  making our way up a scenic mountain path to see a couple Kouros statues.

Beauty...

As stunning as are the beach vistas here in Greece, I think I may even like the inland views even better.  This is from the drive this morning.

Fun...

Jean is a beachfinding machine.  We hit 3 today on our drive.  For this one we had to climb down and back up.

Spirit...

Island life in a nutshell. Sea, tiny white churches, and boats.

Just liked it...

Beautiful marble kouros statue. There on a mountainside for centuries. 

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Heading West on Crete...

We got out in the car again - this time to check out some of the coastal cities to the west of Heraklion. Lots of nature. Lots of history. Lots of labyrinth-like cobblestone streets.  Just perfect. We got a good mix of history, culture, nature, and beach - just perfection  

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 6 of our trip to Greece...

Nature...

One of the most beautify beaches we have been too. Maherida beach.

Beauty...

Crete is an island and so surrounded by water views - all amazing.

Fun...

Kind of the opposite of fun, really. Barely squeaked the car down this "street".

Spirit...

Saint George slaying the dragon - at a tiny but rich Byzantine art museum in an old church in Chania.

Just liked it...

A square in Rethymno. Priest on phone, kids running around, lots going on.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Soaking Wet and Beautiful Athens...

Today was our last full day in Athens before heading to the islands - so we wanted to see and do as much as possible. Unfortunately, there were passing thunderstorms and torrential showers throughout the day - so getting around was a challenge.  The pic above is of us huddled in a newspaper kiosk waiting to make a run for the National Archeological Museum.  We eventually made it but had a great time while we waited.  

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 3 of our trip to Greece...

Nature...

We started out with an early morning hike up the Hill of Muses. Love the landscapes.

Beauty...

Then National Archeological Museum had a temporary exhibit - The Countless Aspects of Beauty - that was breathtaking.

Fun...

Just waiting on someone's front stoop while the rains flooded the streets.

Spirit...

The Acropolis from the Hill of Muses in the early morning. The center of and core of Athens.

Just liked it...

Carmen after dark in a 2000 year old theater.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Water Everywhere...

The beautiful Pacific ocean is all around us.  The morning mist and dew give us a soft start to the day.  The afternoon rain showers make for good napping.  An infinity pool is the perfect place for a cocktail.  I love it all.  Today Jean and I slowed things down a bit but still continued to enjoy every moment here.  It really is a bit of paradise.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 3 of our weekend in Manuel Antonio...

Nature...

We have walked each day down this rocky path to the more natural, remote, and less touristy beach.

Beauty...

Lush and green.

Fun...

Not sure he approved of me taking his picture.

Spirit...

Sunrise from our patio. Peaceful and tunning.

Just liked it...

Refreshing drinks on the beach.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

More Critters Per Foot Than Anywhere!

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By distance our walk through Costa Rica's most visited park was short one, maybe a mile. But it took hours because we saw something amazing every few steps.  And learned something fascinating.  Edwin, our tour guide, was incredible.  Somehow, e could spot a tiny Rainbow Grasshopper on a branch high up in the trees and then help us to find it.  And capture a snap with his telescope lens thing. After a few hours the tour ended at a beach with a swim. Perfect.  Hiking in the tropics is hot and sweaty. After lunch we sort of beat the rains to the beach,.  Sort of.  We laid for a bit and then when the rains came - we jumped in the Pacific and strolled down the beach.  Beautiful day.  

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day two of our weekend in Costa Rica...

Nature...

This Howler monkey looked intense.

Beauty...

I fell in love with this Shiny Honey Creeper. So blue!

Fun...

The windy walk down to our favorite beach. Peligroso.

Spirit...

Just us and a few locals today enjoying the beauty at Playita.

Just liked it...

Masked Frog hanging out on some red leaves.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

Sure, let's check out Manuel Antonio...

Neither of us had ever been to Costa Rica. I had to do some work here...on Thanksgiving day... so we decided to make a long weekend of it and explore a bit.  Even after just 24 hours in this Pacific coast town we are hooked.  It is one of those places that really does treat all the senses.  

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day one of our weekend in Manuel Antonio...

Nature...

We see this beautiful tree, beautifully framed, every time we leave the hotel.

Beauty...

Described,quite accurately, to us as more "natural" and less "touristy", this beach is a short walk from the hotel.

Fun...

Jean loves adventure.

Spirit...

The sunset was peaceful and beautiful and you had to stop to take it in.

Just liked it...

A short walk down a big winding hill brought us here.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

To the heights for our last full day in Japan...

We decided again to train our way out of the city and explore a bit more off the beaten path.  It was actually a hard decision because we are so much enjoying Kyoto proper.  But we spent the day up in the mountains outside of Kyoto and we were really happy we did.  It is simply stunning up in the mountains.  Hiking along winding trails and roads with centuries old temples nestled in old growth forests was a wonderful way to end our trip.

We also got Jean to his first onsen experience.  It was incredibly relaxing to be in the natural warm Sulphur springs looking up at the gigantic trees and mountainscapes.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from our last full day here in Japan...

Nature...

Forests and mountains for as far as the eye could see.

Beauty...

Vermillion speckled trails cut through old growth forests leading to an important Buddhist temple.

Fun...

Walking through the small village of Kurama to find the onsen.

Spirit...

This dragon attending to the fountains to wash hands before entering a temple.

Just liked it...

We reached the top of the mountain and took a rest at the Kurama-Dera temple.

And more photos here at my flickr account.

 

So many temples, not enough time, and too many deer...

Today we hopped a train to Nara based on the recommendations of a few friends.  The temples there did not disappoint. We only visited the town for a few hours and saw just three temples, but they were spectacular.  I have really come to like taking off my shoes and feeling the smooth wood under foot while walking slowly around a temple and soaking in all the detail - up above, down below, and really all around.  It is a wonderful experience.

Despite great word of mouth about the town, and yes the temples were amazing, we were a little skeeved out by the enormous number of deer roaming every inch of the town and aggressively looking for food handouts.  After experiencing three temples, we decided to call it quits and head back to Kyoto. The deer really were too much for us.  Back in Kyoto we visited the Higashi Hongan-ji temple - very glitzy for Kyoto.  It is also the biggest wooden building in the world.  We loved it - even moreso because we were forced to hang out there for a long time as a thunderstorm passed by.  It was really nice to just relax there for a while.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from day 5 here in Kyoto...

Nature...

Too much nature.  Smelly, aggressive deer looking for food.  Hundreds of them.

Beauty...

Higashi Hongan-Ji's gold and dark wood set against a stormy grey sky.  Loved it.

Fun...

Butterflies with Buddha in Nara.

Spirit...

An older woman experiencing a temple in Nara.

Just liked it...

Not at all sure what I was seeing, but I liked the mix of colors and textures very much.

And more photos here at my flickr account.