"Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down..." - Kobi Yamada
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(A picture on the wall, Cecil Hotel)
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Today we went for a day-cruise to the three main popular islands in the Saronic Gulf, Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. There was a complimentary lunch and traditional Greek singing and dancing on board.
It was a full-day island voyage that cruised from Flisvos Marina on a luxuriously air-conditioned ship with beautiful lounges, bars and dining areas. We could either relax and enjoy the sea breezes on the upper deck or stay in the lounge and listen to Greek music.
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| (The cosmopolitan Hydra island) |
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| (Unspoilt and unique architectural beauty) |
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| (Famous movies filmed on this beautiful island) |
The first port of call was Hydra. Hydra is a small but beautiful island steeped in history and a popular destination that’s not far from the mainland. Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Myrtoan Sea and the Argolic Gulf. It is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strip of water. In ancient times, the island was known as Hydrea, a reference to the natural springs on the island.
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| (The traditional means of transportation) |
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| (Enough time to the passengers to stroll around) |
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| (Enjoying a walk along the picturesque warf) |
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| (Captivating walks along the promenade) |
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(The Marina with docked yachts)
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(An island cat by the jetty)
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Its cobblestone streets, where donkeys are the primary mode of transportation, are lined with mansions and centuries-old churches. The town of Hydra was built on imposing rocky slopes, and has remained intact and unspoiled by modern development. Local residents maintain the unique legacy handed down to them by previous generations. In summer visitors go for a swim in the crystal-clear waters or sunbathe. Or one could enjoy the Greek cuisine and hospitality, and search for some souvenirs from the many souvenir shops.
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(A popular getaway destination during summer)
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| (An island with insuperable natural beauty) |
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| (Beautiful forts and the impressive mansions) |
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| (Discovering the historic landmarks) |
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(A statue of a famous man)
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| (The sparkling azure sea) |
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| (Neoclassical beach houses on the island) |
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(A cruise boat docking at the terminal)
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| (Crystal-clear waters off the islands) |
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| (The island of romance and serenity) |
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| (An old refuge for Saronic pirates) |
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(One of the many historical landmarks)
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| (Enjoy the breeze of the Mediterranean) |
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| (Discovering the archaeological museum) |
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(Solar powered light buoy)
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| (Witness a long and turbulent story) |
Next we disembarked at the island of Poros. It is an island of peace, romance, and relaxation. The island’s pine trees line the rugged shores and the sandy beaches. Approaching Poros by sea we could see the historical clock tower atop the island’s highest hill. The beach houses are mostly neoclassical in style, with the first built in 1463 in the area around the clock tower. We explored the town center and the Archaeological Museum. Lining the narrow streets of Poros were shops, cafés, taverns, and many bars playing both Greek and foreign music.
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| (The smallest of the three islands) |
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| (A most enchanting view of the town) |
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| (Old traditional beautiful stone houses on the hill) |
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| (Exploring the town area by foot) |
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(Street artist with his paintings)
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| (A donkey ride through the traditional streets) |
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| (The historical and famous clock tower) |
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(Souvenirs on display)
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Our last stop was at the island of Aegina. Aegina is the land of the legendary Achilles. We visited the Temple of Aphaea, situated atop a pine-covered hill in the north-eastern part of the island. This was the prototype for the Parthenon. When the skies are clear, you could see the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion and the Acropolis of Athens from this spot. With the Temple of Aphaea, these temples form an isosceles triangle, which was the holy triangle of ancient times. There is the church of Saint Nectarios, which houses a silver urn with the relics of St. Nectarios, the patron saint of the island.
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| (Steep beaches to the sandy beaches) |
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| (Heading towards the highest point of the island) |
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(The town from the mountain top)
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| (The Church of Saint Nektarios) |
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(The brick wall surrounding the church)
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| (Aegina is the largest of the three islands) |
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(Watching the activities around the promenade)
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(Waiting to board the Anna Maru)
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(Sail boats activities in late afternoon)
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(The evening crowd at the ferry terminal)
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It was already dark when we made the trip back to the mainland. From the upper deck we watched and admired the impressive beauty and spectacular colors of the sunset on the horizon.
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(Watching the beautiful sunset)
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(The sun is disappearing at the horizon)
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