Greek Odyssey

It is many, many years since we last visited Greece. We used to fly in regularly when H was the UN's Maritime Affairs Expert; part of his responsibilities involved international laws governing the oceans including pollution and shipping regulations. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, and shipping has always been a key element of the Greek economy since ancient times. On our last visit George Livanos, billionaire shipping magnate - now deceased, but a great supporter of marine environmental causes, privately took a small group of us on one of his hydrofoils to the island of Paros. He was a pioneer in the use of hydrofoils, which have significantly reduced the travel times to Greece's many islands. We visited the Temple of Panaya before being given a tour of the island. In a restaurant perched by the Aegean, we dined on locally caught fish, whilst watching the dying reflections of the evening sun rippling over the water. Arriving back at the hydrofoil for our return trip to Piraeus, Athens, each one of us discovered that a very large hemp bag full of pistachio nuts had been left for us on our seats - a memory triggered by our recent visit.

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We stayed in northern Greece - Greek Macedonia, and arrived home in the middle of the night. Here is a quick snapshot of some colours and images which give a flavour of Greece. 

Carpobrotus glaucescens - also known as Angular Pigface grows in abundance along the sands edging the coast. They are a plant native to South Africa, but there are also several species in Australia. I too might have some growing here soon!

Thank you for all the very kind comments and wishes left on my previous post. Once I have sorted myself out I will visit your blogs.