Athens and Santorini

On 17 June we left for a weekend in Athens on the way to one of the Greek islands -- Santorini -- which many consider one of the most beautiful. Santorini was the sight of a scientific conference Chuck attended (and which he partially funded for the Office of Naval Research).

We spent Friday night and the weekend in Athens -- the first time there for either of us; we were with Jim and Susan DeCorpo. Jim works with Chuck. Naturally, we visited the Acropolis and the ancient Agora market. We also enjoyed wandering in the Plaka, the old part of Athens, with narrow, winding streets and lots of shops and restaurants.

A very nice local cab driver gave us a great driving tour of the city, including sites such as this ancient monastery overlooking Athens.





One of the sites was the original Olympic stadium (which has some modern additions)













At the Greek Presidential Palace












The Hephaisteion in the ancient Agora market












Aboard the ferry to Santorini










Beauty -- foreground and background











View from a Santorini restaurant














How's this for a seaside lunch?


All the things we heard about the beauty of Santorini were, if anything, understatements. The island was once a volcano whose eruption essentially blew out the center of the moutain leaving a rim of island(s) around a caldera filled with water of the most incredible blue color. The weather, during our stay, was very hot -- as one would expect in the Aegean in late June. Santorini has clearly adjusted to being the holiday destination of people with good disposable incomes -- I think it may have more jewelry stores per capita than any other place we've been.

For more pictures of Athens and Santorini, visit: http://chuck.smugmug.com/gallery/665873