Post Winery Lunch Near The Beach

Satisfied!

Evangelos Gerovassiliou Winery

Website is worth a visit: http://www.gerovassiliou.gr/en/museum
Evangelos has created a Greek wine "museum" on his vineyard, which was finished in 2005. Given that this is in a rural, remote part of Northern Greece, it was clearly a personal passion.

Included are about 1700 0f his over 2500 wine openers dating back to the first known used after wine was corked.

Last minute details before leaving Thessaloniki

Bouzouki shopping

Mid-day pick-me-up of espresso and 'pie' with greens and cheese

More graffiti

A few random shots & thoughts around Thessaloniki

Dimitris (Greek for James) at St. Dimitris church the day after St. Demitris day!

I have a thing for graffiti....

Cookie research!

Hillside village with beautiful views of the Aegean.

Out & About in Thessaloniki

View from the White Tower looking South toward the harbor in Thessaloniki.

Very cute little bakery where were got a wedge of 'pie' from the round below. It was an apple and pumpkin - and it was good!

10-29-10: Arrival in Thessaloniki

Above: Large central market with produce, meat, & fish

Below: Just like the kid taking orders said "it'll be the best pork chop you've ever had," it was.

All the food is cooked on a pretty small grill in front of the seated people, it is served on a piece of paper...literally!

It was some amazing street food. The sausages come with a pile of red onions, tomatoes, parsley, and a hunk of bread.

Niko the butcher - initial meet and greet

10-29-10: Skiti to Thessaloniki

Cold day on the Aegean
We drove along the the hillside before descending to the coast, views of snow capped Mount Olympus.

Olive orchard just after leaving the inn.

Thursday night was a little bit of a deja vu....we were wondering around a mountain town looking for a place to stay and low and behold we found yet another country inn that was just as nice and unique as the previous ones and three beds! We enjoyed breakfast and obtained more information on things to see as we head North.

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10-28-10: The Monasteries at Metorea

The Metorea, first a geological wonder created nearly 60 million years ago as the result of tectonic movements pushing the seabed upwards; hence the name which means 'towards heaven." Second a religious site dating back to 11th century when hermit monks first began inhabiting its caves. More info at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora

Top: Looking down at Kalambaka, gateway to the Metorea, which was burned to the ground by the Nazi's during WWII

Below: Photos from on top of the Moni Megalou Meteorou (Grand Metorea Monestary)

10-28-10: Trikala, Greece

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Along the way we stopped the small city of Trikala - it sounded interesting in the guide book which described it as being filled with bicyclist, young & old; this wasn't the case on this rainy day, but we'll take their word for it.

Above: Sauteed greens with cuddlefish, roasted potatoes with meatballs. Then stuffed green cabbage, cheese pies, and fried smelt.

Below: A traverna that we nearly did not go to. It was bustling, but we walked by, started to go back, turned around again, then ultimately turned back to have lunch...it was a good decision!

Bottom: View from 400 meters atop a restored Byzantine Fortress and apparently how easy it is to uncover ruins in your backyard!

10-27-10 Athens to Lake Plasteria

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Roadside monument from the "Come and get it" battle.

Apparently there was a government incentive program to build inns throughout the smaller villages in Greece. You can drive into these tiny villages where you wouldn't think there would be so much as a market and find a well appointed inn.

Sliver of the manmade Lake Plasteria in the background

Greek fast food - "Cheese Pie

After a rejuvenating 13 hours of sleep and a little help from caffeine we are up-and-at'em and ready to start heading North to Thessaloniki.

Leaving for Greece (& have arrived safely)

I was trying to hide the volume of luggage....Thomas convinced me I needed to bring the bigger bag, his reasoning was it provided more room to bring things home. Couldn't argue with that!

Soon there will be photos from Greece!

Final Days Traveling Home ~ Oct 22, 2010 (Stay tuned...Thomas and I leave for Greece Monday!)

Jansen and Rory made a welcome home poster!


Alexander picked out some outrageous flowers.

HOME!

Last day on the road between Bozeman and Missoula, MT - I liked the shadow of the car and the movement in the photo.