Greece

Ya-Sas! (Hello! in Greek)

(Click on photo to view full set of photos from Greece trip)

A guilty feeling came over me when posting these Greece photos. Many of our friends have gone to Greece or are planning to go to Greece for they honeymoon, yet Joe and I are flying around Europe gallivanting and continuously haunted by the fact we have not chosen our wedding location (we don't even know what city!).

Well for those of you that are going soon, hope the photos get you super excited for your trip. I was snapping away obsessively again. I'll leave a short recommended list at the bottom for your to take along with you :).

~ Athens ~

It was a short stay in Athens, but we ran through the city and over again in a day in a half in no problem. Totally recommend bumming out the first day you get there to roam the touristy shops and get your fill of souvenirs (Joe and I are now obsessed with finding the best magnet from every city). The Plaka district is an ideal location to crash as it's very close to the Acropolis, Parliament, National Gardens, direct metro link to the port (where you will most likely take a ferry from), and lots of shopping! I must be born to shop :) Left Athens with loads of olive oil soap, olive oil shampoo, and a few pairs of sandals.

~ Mykonos ~

It was a great relief to leave for islands. We welcomed the island breeze with open arms. Definitely buy your ferry tickets ahead of time during high season because they can sell out and don't leave that frequently. And is it sooo worth it to try to get on a fastboat. Those things are turbo charged and comfy.

We luved luved luved our hotel in Mykonos (see lots of pics in set above). The island was the priciest and the most touristy of our Greek destinations, but they had some great resort/hotels and restaurants. The restaurants are all very romantic. There was one called Interni that we thought would be perfect for our wedding. If only we could find a replica of it closer to home :). Make sure to make reservations because you will often get a better table.

It's best to stay near the Mykonos Town where you can easily catch a bus or taxi to get to your beach of choice. Lots of partying in this island. You can catch a bus to Paradise beach in the evening (ever watch MTV Spring Break?), or stay in town to hang out at Little Venice where there are a plethora of bars and clubs. Don't worry about not knowing where the parties are. It's pretty easy to find out. Posters plastered everywhere around time, and my favorite were the Paradise Beach party promoters that dressed up in different outfits for each party there were throwing out fliers for. Sailors one night, and a group of angels the next. They were a fun bunch.

Note: If you are a straight guy and get invited to go to Super Paradise Beach to party, uh - politely decline :).

~ Santorini ~

We met up with one of my college roommates (Jen) and her law school friend (Alice) in Santorini. Stayed in Perissa Beach a ways off from Fira (the main town), but we were quite content just relaxing in the evening and watching falling stars on the beach. If you really wanted to get the whole experience, would try to stay in a caldera in the town Ia (white houses built on the cliffs). But it has to have an infiniti pool out towards the sea and a private terrace where you can have breakfast (we saw a few of those and they looked so pimp!). This island had the most variety when it comes to beaches -- black, red, white beaches. There were a few 'oops did I just see a naked man' beaches that we came about so beware :).

We actually found a random Mexican restaurant in Santorini called Senor Zorba's (on the way to Fira from the southern part of the island). A great view -- get a pitcher of sangria and enjoy the sunset -- but avoid the burritos and enchiladas! Joe (who thinks he is half Mexican), loudly proclaimed that his enchilada tasted like it was covered in 'curry from a box'. It thought the guacamole was not bad :).

P.S. Bring your swimming goggles! Swimming in the sea is like swimming in a fish tank. It's so clear and refreshing you'll want to do it every day!

*Other Photos*

//London Triathlon//	//Chelsea Garden//

*Upcoming Travel*
+ Last week of August: Copenhagen (Joe)
+ September 1st through 10th: New York
+ September 30 through October 9th: Northern California

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*Greece Recommended List*
~ Restaurants ~
+ Interni (Mykonos) - Matoyiannia, Mykonos. Tel: +30 22890 26.333. Modern Greek set in a romantic white atmosphere
+ Philippi (Mykonos) - Fresh ingredients used from Philippi's farm. Make reservations to get a table in the garden. (contact info coming soon)

~ Hotel ~
+ Tharroe of Mykonos (Mykonos) - Great staff. Try to get a room with a view of the sea.

~ Shops ~
+ Lak - 5 Matoyianni St, Mykonos. Comfy t-shirts in interesting cuts.
+ Stavros Melissinos - 2 Aghias Theklas Street, Athens. Get hand made sandals at the same place that the Beatles and Jackie-O did :).
+ Korres - Natural products for face and body (no synthetic oils or propylene glycol). I have seen there stuff in US and UK, but didn't know they were a Greek brand. Bought some body lotion, body lotion, and leave-in conditioner which have worked real well so far :).
+ Any jewelry store in Santorini - Pick up a cute necklace or a pair of earrings made out of lava rock (there is a volcano off the coast of Santorini). I know it's kind of a Hawaiin thing, but the really have some really cute and different stuff!

~ Artists ~
+ Yorgos Kypris - You'll see his stuff in galleries all over Athens and the islands. Most of his pieces are made up fish. One of my favorites is a wall installation of a school of stainless steel fishes.

~ Beaches ~
+ Paranga Beach (Mykonos)
+ Elia (Mykonos)
+ Red Beach (Santorini)
+ Kamari Beach (Santorini)
+ Perissa Beach (Santorini)