Greece Trip !
May-June 1, 2009
We took our first big trip with Hiro this year. This was a big goal for us. We wanted to know that travel with kids was possible, and we discovered that it was more then possible, it was enjoyable! Our travel buddies were Becca, Josh, and MeeAe. Both Becca and I were pregnant, which wore us out a bit.
We owe a BIG thanks to Becca for doing all the research and reservations for the trip. She dedicated herself to finding just the right places that fit our family and our budget. The places we stayed were AWESOME! We went to Athens, the Island of Santorini, and the Island of Naxos.
We started our trip in Athens.
Sadly, Becca and Josh didn't get to begin enjoying their trip because they were detained. MeeAe had been motion sick on the plane and had a fever as she got off in Athens. They were stopped because they thought Mae had H1N1. She didn't, but they were held hostage at an decrepit hospital in a run down part of Athens for 24 hours. It was a terrible ordeal for them.
Exploring the Ancient Greek Ruins in Athens
View from the Parthenon overlooking Athens
Our happy traveler!
Second leg of the trip....On to Santorini!
7 1/2 Hour Ferry Ride to Santorini from Athens.
Our first evening in Santorini
Santorini is a big rock in the middle of the Aegean Sea.
White house cling to the cliffs, and blue rounded roofs cap the Orthodox churches.
Our traveling group with our host in Santorini.
MeeAe and Hiro sitting on the step of our "home" in Santorini.
Our family!
Exploring Santorini...We walked almost everywhere.
Hiro fell asleep as soon as we got him in the backpack.
The guys suntanning outside our place in Santorini.
Donkey herder in a village at the highest elevation of Santorini.
Our last night in Santorini we went to Oia on the west tip, which is said to have the best sunsets in the world.
Third Leg of the Trip....on to the Beach Island of Naxos!
We really adored our place in Naxos. It was within walking distance of the beach, remodeled, comfortable and new. The weather was balmy in Naxos and the beach was VERY relaxing.
It was the "vacate" part of our vacation.
We did our laundry in Naxos.
We rented a car for one day in Naxos to see the interior of the island,
which is not geared for tourists.
We saw lots of Greek men with their donkeys.
Our family climbing a road in Aperanthos in central Naxos. The city was made of marble.
Becca, Josh and MeeAe, expert travel buddies!
We got a little lost in Aperanthos.
Hiro was a great little traveler! I was so proud of him!
Older Greek man with his worry beads.
Back in our place Naxos, our hostess spoiled us with daily treats.
Cookies for the kids and fresh homemade goat milk rice pudding one day!
We had access to a pool in Naxos. It was COLD, but Becca and I got lots of suntanning in!
Ahh! The Beach! The water was clear and blue, and VERY cold!
It was still lovely being on the sand and in the sun.
After Naxos, we headed back to Athens for a night before we flew back to the U.S.
