Thessaloniki Final Day 3!

FYI pronounced: The Salon-nee-kee

Today an hour bus trip to see the museum that houses the tomb of King Philip the 2nd, Alexander the Great’s Dad. The museum was very cool. Built around the actual tombs that were discovered in 1977. There are 4 tombs - but no pictures allowed, sorry.... Some of the items from the tombs were also recovered: solid gold jewelry, weapons, shields etc. all from. 300-something B.C. Amazing. You’ll have to take my word for it.

These are our guides: Kostos for the whole trip; Regina just for 2 days here.


Then 40 more minutes to Naousa, where we had lunch. (It IS a Food & Wine tour...).  



You may notice a few wine glasses on the table. All paired nicely with the 9-course meal.


Here are the Goddesses in front of a spectacular view that our photos just couldn’t capture. 
Nadine, Lori, Deb, Cindy, Laura, Laura, Pat, Michele, Sheila, Barb, Jen 

We shopped around the square this evening, and stopped for dinner, starting with gelato and chocolate soufflé, which we ate on this statue of we-don’t-know-who. 



Then we saw a protest. And then police in riot gear. We do not know what they were protesting but hoped it wasn’t middle-aged American women shopping in Thessaloniki....

 




Continuing dinner, we decided we needed authentic Gyros. We ordered what we thought was a side salad, 2 meatballs (!?) and a small Gyros:




Now we pack to head to Athens in the morning, where I’ll be buying my roommate Cindy a new pair of earrings since I just knocked her jewelry off the tiny shelf in the bathroom into the sink and one went down the drain. At least it wasn’t her wedding ring...

Opa!

(Yes, that’s what they say when they light the flaming cheese, but it also means “oops”. )

















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thessaloniki! Day1

Image
Yassou! Eighteen hours of travel with about 45 minutes of sleep and we’re here!   We’re a block and a half from the water and 2 blocks in the other direction from the center of the city.   We found Lori and Deb by one of the kiosks around the city that sell water, beer, soft drinks and snacks. In hindsight maybe we should have skipped the snacks. Dinner was 7 appetizers then an entree followed by a selection of desserts. And live music!   We had a taste of Retsin (?) wine, aged in pine barrels. (Not so much). But you don’t see ashtrays on restaurant tables much anymore....
Read more

Archanes to Chania - Day 1

Image
Chania pronounced: Haan-ya I forgot to mention that our tour guide, Kostas gave us each a gift. The  blue or “evil eye” shown here is a traditional Greek amulet that protects against bad luck brought about by jealousy or admiration. (Like bullying or jinxes) Really fun day today: Girl Power on Crete! Not sure what gave Kostas this idea, just because there are 5 men on the tour and all the rest women...but we toured a Women’s Cooperative. One of the women went to a state seminar, got with 9 other women and formed a cooperative to produce foods and products as they do in their homes and sell them. The cooperative is 10 years old, with the same women involved. We were delighted to spend some money there on jams, fruits, cookies, olive oil and more. They had some lovely samples ready for us to try.    We spent a  little time in the town of  Archanes. And Deb found this! We thought the Greek men sitting outside the coffee shop was too perfect to miss. I
Read more

Back to Athens: Last day!

Image
We were up at the crack again to catch the bus to the airport in Chania. 40 min flight back to Athens, dropped off at the Plaka area where we finished up shopping and had lunch. Then checked back into the Athenium Grand. Another bright clear sunny day (monotonous!) High 80’s today so a little warm but our weather has been spectacular. Across from the shopping area is this arch and the palace of Zeus (again, ruins) Tonight, our farewell dinner. Seriously a fun group of people on our tour. And we all agree the best guide in Kostas. Ready for dinner: Laura, Cindy, Barb,Michelle and Sheila Photos from Kostas “favorite restaurant in the world”, The Balcony, in Athens. And requisite food pics Goddesses on the balcony at The Balcony  On the balcony with Kostas Kostas Scallop appetizer Lamb with potatoes  Pasta with beef ragout Sea bass Milk cake with ice cream and graham cracker crumble Lots of hugs and goodbyes after dinner,
Read more