Three Greek Drinks

By on June 17, 2017

In my short tenure as a world traveler i have traveled to all kinds of really cool places and seen all kinds of wonderful things as well as been able to taste the foods and enjoy the cultures. One of the things I never do when I am traveling is to eat anything that might remotely be American fast food. When i am out and about somewhere in the world I want to taste what the locals eat and drink.

Ouzo

Ouzo

In fact we were talking just last night about drinks and drinking traditions and there’s this drink that they have in Crete called Tsipouro which is often offered at the end of a meal in a Taverna or a household…and I think you can buy it just about anywhere. It comes from the pomace or residue of the wine press and is about 45% alcohol. I didn’t know that at first. My Greek friends just said that I had to try it since I was traveling to Crete. So I did.

I have to say…I don’t particularly care for it. Even the little bit that you get at the end of a meal is enough to knock you off your feet. In my opinion there are much better things to drink at the end of a meal in Crete. My favorite is Masthica, a specialty liquor that is only produced in Greece since the plant that it is made from only grows on one Greek Island.

I’ve heard that they have tried to replicate the growing conditions so that the plant could be cultivated in other places but that efforts to do that have failed 100%. So Masthica continues to be unique to Greece.

The other liquor  that i personally like is Ouzo. If you don’t like the taste of licorice (anise) then don’t bother. But i like the taste. In Hollywood type movies you might see people drinking shots of Ouzo and then dancing a lot before they all pass out. But during my travels to Greece I was introduced to a more civilized way to drink it.

Pour your ouzo into a glass and then drop ice cubes into the liquor and instantly the liquor turns from a clear liquid to a milky white. In Greece, in the summer, because it’s hot the ice melts at about the same rate as you might sip the liquor so while you might get a little buzz you probably won’t pass out from a little ouzo that’s been watered down with melting ice.

So the next time you travel to Greece try one, or all three and let me know what you think.

 

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Travel Tips #1

By on June 15, 2017

Hey there – i know it’s been a bit since I posted anything here but I have been inspired lately to get back to the blog and enlighten my readers to the wonderful world of travel.

Palamidi Fortress - Nafplio Greece

Palamidi Fortress – Nafplio Greece

Traveling about the world i have learned a lot about the ins and outs of travel as well as some of the perks that are available to everyone. For some time now friends have encouraged me to share some of these tips because they think that other would be travelers could benefit from what I know.

I was reminded just this morning that there are so many things about travel that I just take for granted that other people just don’t know. Friends will often stop me in mid sentence and get me to repeat something that they don’t necessarily know anything about but that I just do on auto-pilot.

So two of the things I know about domestic and International travel are TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry.

TSA Pre-check is a travel benefit that allows low-risk travelers to expedite the TSA screening process. With Pre-Check you don’t have to remove your shoes, belts or light jackets. You also don’t need to take out your laptops or your liquids. Generally it makes the screening process much faster and less of a hassle. All you have to do to get this is to apply online which includes a background check, finger-printing and a ten minute interview. You can start the process here: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck.

Global Entry is a program offered through Customs and Boarder Protection which again allows low-risk frequent International Travelers which expedites re-entry into the United States. The process for application is a little more stringent than that for TSA Pre-Check but also includes an application, a background check, finger printing and then a personal interview with officers from Homeland security. For more information and to apply you can go here: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.

One of the things that I like best about it is that I get to skip the insanely long lines when i am returning. And when I am leaving I get all the benefits of TSA Pre-Check as long as my Global Entry Card number is entered in my Airline reservation.

Here’s a little live video I did this morning: Global Entry & Pre Check

 

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Greek Island Destinations

By on September 28, 2016

My Greek friend George Katopis recently made some recommendations for future travel in Greece. So I thought I would put that list here for safe keeping and easier reference.

Corfu: It is cosmopolitan with nice beaches.

On Corfu I should be able to find Ithaca, a place that is less developed but which is nice with a reduced amount of tourism than other island locations.

Lefkada – a nice smaller town with famous beaches and also famous for sailing activities and enthusiasts.

Cephalonia – nice beaches as well as interesting beaches where one can go diving.

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Amorgos – George says that this is a place that I really should get to. He says that the area is replete with antiquities as well as having nice beaches especially on the northern side of the Island.

There is a Monastery on the east side of the island that is unique in that it was built on the face of a rock…the church occurs on three levels. Below that there is a cool rocky beach

The Island is not on the main route for the ferries. Therefore it is not over-run with tourists allowing for more of a true Greek experience. On the north side of the island there are more young people camping but it is worth a visit over there. Also on the island is a fjord that George says is really special.

http://jimtalbott.com/Renaissance-Webinar

Greek Monasteries

Naxos –

The Dodacanes-

Rhodes is clearly touristic but has nice beaches and there is a castle there.

In Lindos, Greece there is an excellent Castle and a nice beach. It is also more cosmopolitan. It is an archaeological site, a town and a former municipality on the island of Rhodes in the Dodecanese.

Kos = a nice island

Kalymnos is an island that is known for their  finest sponge divers. It is the 4th largest island in the Dodecanese. The island is characterized by it’s rocky mountainous landscape.

http://jimtalbott.com/Renaissance-Webinar

Sailing the Greek Islands

Lesvos = A mixture of Greek and Italian influences. The architecture here is outstanding. The main town has fabulous restaurants and tavernas.There are some interesting mansions to see there. George says to get a car and travel around the island. I could easily spent 4 to 5 days exploring this unique island. And evidently there is another castle there. They are known for their production of Ouzo. While George would prefer to arrive there by boat he says that you can also get there by airplane. Additionally it appears to be a favorite of both British and German tourists.

George recommends that I go there because it is more greek and significantly less touristic than some of the other places I have visited.

When I was on Ios I was told by Greeks there that Lesvos is an island that is remarkably Green and lush which compare starkly to the dry arid rocky landscape of the island of Ios and much of the rest of Greece.

 

http://jimtalbott.com/Renaissance-Webinar

Monastery Doorway

Folegandros – is located on the southern edge of the Cyclades. It is in the same group of Islands along with Ios, Anafi, Sikinos and Santorini. Also not a usual tourist destination. But George says that this is one of his favorite islands. He also told me that there is a hotel there that is built on the edge of a cliff that is ‘awesome.”

Karpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese Islands. George says that you have to go to Crete first and then travel to Karpathos. It is known as the Island of the Pirates and can be somewhat primitive compared to some of the other islands. As it is somewhat remote  people there are said to have maintained a certain cultural apparel as well as a more primitive dialect.

Samos – This isalnd is in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Evidently this is the birthplace of Pythagoras. George says that the beaches here are tremendous.

Patmos = Is famous with a nice castle on top of the town. The castle is actually a fortress like monastery that overlooks the Chora. Underneath there is a place where St. John the Theologian wrote the book of revelations. The island is in the Northern part of the Dodecanese Islands. George says that there is a rock in the middle of the bay where some famous conflict took place. He said “walk inside the rock.”

Kithira – is an island close to the Peloponnese Peninsula. It is also close to Monemvasia. It is listed as one of the seven main Ionian islands and is said to have a fabulous rocky coast that is good for exploration and adventure.

http://jimtalbott.com/Renaissance-Webinar

Beautiful Greek Beaches

Elafonisos – is a small Greek island between the coast of the Peloponnes and Kythira. The travel industry says that there’s not a lot to do there but George says that this island has the most unique experience of Greece. He said that I could stay in Neapoli which is a short five miles away down the coast. From there there is a boat that  travels to Elafonisos. There are very good tavernas and the beaches are superior.

Kithyra – In Kithyra the skinny dipping is the thing. In the main town there is a nice castle with a lovely view. He suggests that I might meet more southern Europeans here.

Corfu – This is where they make the Greek drink that I have come to love called Mastica which is crafted from the resin of the Mastic Tree which evidently only grows on this one island of Chios. Corfu tends to be touristy. But there are nice beaches, and elegant old town and nice hotels. George says I should plan to spend a week here.

Chios – is the fifth largest in Greece. It is an island near Lesvos where Mastic is grown. George says it’s not the most exceptional island but other friends I have made in Greece recommend I go there at some point. They call it a magical Island.

Other islands he recommends include, Volos, Skiathos – is most popular with Germans and Bitts. Skopelos has a nice Venetian castle on top of a mountain and is a nice place to visit. Alonissos is the northernmost island in the Sporades. It is ideal for rest and relaxation. It has nice beaches. Skyros is the southernmost island of the Sporades. It is known for it’s fine beaches, sea caves and seaside villages. They evidently also have have an interesting Goat festival. These are totally different islands from all the others.

I guess I will have to make a point of getting there so that I can make such a determination for myself.

http://jimtalbott.com/Renaissance-Webinar

Sailing the Aegean

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Athens to Kea

By on June 22, 2015

On The Ferry to Kea

On The Ferry to Kea

I knew well before arriving in Athens that there was no way I would be able to make the ferry at Lavrio in order to get to Kea  (Τζιά) Island where I was headed to begin my three month odyssey in Greece by attending the Kea Artisanal cooking vacation. So when the plane was about 40 minutes late leaving London I was not overly upset.

Arrival in Athens was as seamless as it’s always been. It appears that travel to and from the European Union is often less stressed than in The United States. Interesting this time I was asked if I had brought any Euros with me and how much. And they also wanted to know if I had family here. I am assuming that they wanted to know that more because of the current financial crisis going on here at the moment.

My Greek friend Maria (Μαρία) met me just outside the customs door and whisked me off to the Holiday Inn where i stayed the night for 110.00 Euro which comes out to about $150.00 which in my opinion is too much for that particular hotel. I’ve experienced way better in Greece for less.

Entering the port at Korissia

Entering the port at Korissia

The next morning I was met by Alexis in a nice Mercedes who then whisked me off (most every Greek I know drives wicked fast) to the port at Lavrio where I’m thinking some of my studies of the Greek language have paid off because I managed to read the signs and find the correct window for purchasing my ticket to Kea.

I must make a mental note that while it is warm and wonderful in Athens and even at the port that by the time the Ferry gets out into open water the temperature drops. And since the wind was significant that made for a chilly ride. Chilly and Greece are mostly not in my vocabulary, or it least it wasn’t until this trip. Later this summer I will be sailing through some of the Greek Islands. Fortunately I had the foresight to bring a couple of sweaters and a rain coat.

The Busy Ferry

The Busy Ferry

The ferry ride to Kea was uneventful and fairly brief. I think it was under and hour and then we were there.

Kea Port

Kea Port

Costas, from the Kea Artisanal, picked me up in a dusty pick-up truck and then drove me around a little to show me some places of interest. It’s a small island but I will also rent a car to access other sites and beaches and more than likely I will get lost too. But that can be fun as I usually end up finding something i might not have otherwise seen.

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Είναι μια όμορφη μέρα στην Κέα – It’s a beautiful day in Kea

By on May 26, 2015

Kea Lighthouse

Kea Lighthouse

I love to travel. And often I am looking for some new adventure, some new thing that I haven’t done before. Often all it really takes is thinking about the things I like to do and then add a little travel to that. It’s like cooking..a pinch of this and a pinch of that an a nice phyllo dough and presto-chango it’s delicious!

So, as it happens I was in Greece last October and part of November for a few different things. And of course while I was here I traveled to Patras where I got caught in a downpour the likes of which I had never seen in Greece before. In fact I’d never seen it rain in Greece. I also traveled to Nafplio at the suggestion of a friend who knows very well that I have a passion for castles. In fact up until a few years ago I was not aware that Greece had castles. Islands and gorgeous beaches, but not castles. And up until last year I had never seen it rain here.

Beautiful Kea

Beautiful Kea

So while it was raining I was surfing the net, and I don’t really know or remember how I came across the idea of a cooking vacation but there was this page in front of me with a nice selection of different countries. I knew I was due to be back here in Greece so I selected Greece and I found Kea Artisanal located on some island I’d never even heard of before. Okay that’s not terribly unusual but a cooking vacation on a new Island sounded like a great idea and I love a new adventure.

Other than taking your helicopter or maybe your yacht, neither of which I have the way to get to Kea is by ferry out of the port at Lavrion. On my trip out to the island it was quite windy. Just for the fun of it I shot a video knowing full well that there was no chance anyone would ever hear what I was saying. It’s a good thing I had a sweater, as it was a wee chilly as well. And it’s a miracle that the wind didn’t whip my little iPhone out of my hands and cast it into the seas with Poseidon.

Magical Greek Island

Magical Greek Island

Kea,  also known as Tzia is actually the sixth largest island in the Cyclades (Κυκλάδες ) after Naxos, Andros, Paros, Tinos and Milos with a year round population of just 2,417 people and a slew of cats. The island is 131 square Kilometers in size with a perimeter of 82 kilometers. While it, like many of the Greek islands is replete with awesome beaches with amazing crystal clear waters Kea is also quite mountainous and the home to a fascinating archeological site at Karthea. It’s highest point occurs at Profitis Ilias at 568 meters. The terrain is striking in that most all of the island was terraced at one time for cultivation but also to protect it’s watershed.

Additionally this relatively small mountainous island boasts 300 chapels scattered all about. There’s one attached to the lighthouse that sits at the entrance to Kea harbor. I discovered something really interesting about those chapels but you’ll have to read one of my next posts to discover what that might be.

Greek Shrine

Greek Shrine

From the moment the ferry glides into the port there ensues a  magical feeling here on Kea. Come travel with me and I will share a whole host of magical adventures and experiences.

Korissia on Kea

Korissia on Kea

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Champagne & Strawberries

By on May 14, 2015

Champagne to Start my Journey

Champagne to Start my Journey

Well I’m off on another adventure and this one will be my longest yet. I have only just arrived on Kea Island in Greece. Kea is devoid of tourists primarily as there is little here for tourists. Actually I am told that this island is the place that a lot of Greeks travel to when they want to escape the city. Many Greeks have weekend or vacation houses here.

I’m here because last year I was exploring the internet looking for interesting things to do in a variety of different places when I came upon the idea of a cooking vacation. And so I discovered a nice one called Kea Artisanal run by a Greek woman and her husband on this little known Island called Kea just off the coast of Attica where you might find a wee Greek city called Athens.

My journey actually started with a lovely glass of Champagne as I settled into my business class seat on British Airways in Boston on Monday May 11. I particularly like British Airways because they always seem to go the extra mile to make sure that passengers are well taken care of. To me that makes the whole travel experience all that much more pleasant and even fun.

My flight from London Heathrow to Athens was late leaving the terminal because one passenger who became too ill to fly and had to then leave the airplane. And of course they then had to remove that persons luggage from down below. So I arrived in Athens, Greece too late to catch the last ferry to Kea. I spent the night in Athens but got up before dawn to rendezvous with a Alexis, my limo driver who whisked me off in a comfy Mercedes to the port at Lavrio. Have you ever driven in either Greece or Italy? It can be quite the adventure in itself. At the port I purchased my ticket for Kea and boarded an almost empty ferry.

Ferry to Kea

Ferry to Kea

Upon arrival at the port for Kea Island Costas from the cooking school met me in his dusty black pickup truck and took me on a short jaunt exploring some of the nice places to eat and pointing out some of the beautiful beaches that are here on the Island. Costas also brought me to my hotel The Porto Kea Suites where I decided to stay in the Presidential Suite because I am worth it.

 

Champagne & Strawberries

Champagne & Strawberries

In the room I was welcomed with a bottle of Champagne and a bowl of tasty strawberries. What could possibly be better than beginning this adventure with Champagne and Strawberries on a beautiful Greek Island?

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Travel Wiser

By on July 18, 2014

As an avid traveler I am always collecting travel tips from wherever I happen to get them as well as developing my own list of travel tips and suggestions.

I happened to find this video on YouTube that has some good suggestions, but I’d like to give you the benefit of some of my practical experience. Have a look at it

YouTube Preview Image

In these days of increased TSA regulations and presence it’s a very good idea to be as organized as you possibly can. But also be aware that TSA gets suspicious if you are doing anything that seems like it might be out of the norm.

One of the tips in the video is to roll your clothes rather than folding which makes sense for keeping the wrinkles at bay but also it tends to pack better. Just be aware that this tends to be something that bothers TSA as most travelers don’t do that.

I would also suggest that you minimize the amount of carry on items that you have. I always take my laptop and camera with me but anymore I put as much as I can in checked baggage. The first issue is that there is limited space available for all the carry-on baggage that everyone seems to want to take with them and unless you are one of the first people on the plane then it’s entirely possible that there won’t be enough room for all the stuff you might want to carry on with you but that you won’t necessarily need during the flight.

The next issue (and I have suspected that this would happen) is that because people have been taking too much as carry-on, at least one airline is now charging as much as an additional $75.00 for carry-on bags that could just as easily be checked to your final destination. My guess is that if one airline is doing it all the others will be doing it soon as well.

While traveling to  Seattle, Washington just this last week I experienced an unexpected additional layover of about three hours when the plane that we were supposed to be traveling on developed some serious issues and the airline grounded that airplane for the obvious safety concerns.

This is one of those things that is entirely out of your control. But I would rather that the airline err on the side of safety rather than my never getting to my destination. In the end I did get to Seattle where for the entire eight days I was there it was sunny and warm.

If you’d like other tips about travel (including a new regulation whereby TSA may have the authority to confiscate your cell phone) that I have gathered from my circumnavigating the globe sign up for my travel tips here.

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Glass House Mountains

By on May 4, 2014

Pool with a View

After Tonya arrived in Brisbane and we visited the “Bottle Shop.” for bottles of course we then made our way into the hills beyond Brisbane. It seemed at some point that we might have been lost. But as is so often the case (at least in my life) the destination is just around the corner. And in this case the destination was the mountain top home of friend’s of Peters. The following is a collection of pictures from their home where we enjoyed a splendid evening and sunset.

Dusk-ish

Dusk-ish

Branden

Branden

Pretty Flowers

View to the ocean

View to the ocean

Last light

Last light

Pleasant Evening

Pleasant Evening

Pink Hue

Pink Hue

Beautiful View

Beautiful View

Setting Sun

Setting Sun

 

It never ceases to amaze me that when we move out and beyond the overly well-lit cities that the stars, which are always there, appear brilliantly. I was treated to the Southern Cross and the Southern part of the Milkyway during this evening. My Astronomer friend Aileen O’Donoghue suggested that I look for the Magellanic Clouds  the but then she also said that they were hard to see and that it might be best if I were to bring her along on the next trip so that she could do just that for me.

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Captain Jim

By on April 26, 2014

Captain Jim & the Crew

Captain Jim & the Crew

When I was just five years old my grandparents and parents thought it would be cute to take a picture of me piloting my grandfathers yacht in Jupiter, Florida. Of course at that age they had to get me a box to stand on and as I recall the boats wheel was a wee bit bigger than I was..

Over the years I have had other opportunities to have similar photos taken of me. I believe my Aunt Joan has the original picture as well as another picture of me standing at the wheel (in a similar pose) of my Uncle’s yacht in Palm Beach, Florida.

My father had a boat as well. Although living and growing up in Colorado boating was limited primarily to lakes and reservoirs. I remember that while he appeared to have a great time on the boat (when it was working right) with family and friends and even securing some certification as a boat captain himself that he eventual advice to his children was to charter a boat rather than own one. I think his owning experiences were not always pleasant and stress free.

I love the water. I was thinking that if I had been born a different species I might have been a fish, and a Dolphin specifically because I love to swim and play in the water. At this writing I am in Australia and have just returned to Brisbane from a jaunt to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays. I had a fabulous time out on the sailboat. There’s just something about being whisked away by a brisk wind and standing sideways at the wheel while the boat is keeling at 24%.

I could most certainly get used to this lifestyle. Barefoot on the sailboat cruising about the islands. I love sleeping on a boat that rocks back and forth. It’s almost like being in the cradle once again. We even enjoyed hammocks on deck, but the scattered rain showers were a bit of a deterrent when it came to sleeping up there all night.

Captain Jim - A Journey

Captain Jim – A Journey

While the pictures of me at the helm didn’t quite come out right, one of the other passengers was able to get my video camera from me after the captain basically said, “Here take the wheel,” and scurried off down the bow of the boat to attend to some other task. So below is a video of me steering the sailboat. It’s not nearly as long as what I might have liked but hey, it’s better than nothing other than fond memories. YouTube Preview Image

Once the house stops rocking and I have access to other video software I will extract capture shots from the video clip to add to the collection of Captain Jim photos that seems to have started as a tradition so very long ago when I was just five years old.

Captain Jim in Australia

Captain Jim in Australia

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Bloomin Australia

By on April 18, 2014

Sydney Harbor Bridge

Sydney Harbor Bridge

As I travel about Australia doing a bit of this and a lot of that I often find that I am given considerable pause when I find myself looking at some really cool colorful plant life that I have never seen anywhere before. I am at once in a state of awe and amazement. And as you might have guessed I have taken thousands of pictures of all kinds of interesting things.

North Head Lookout Cluster

North Head Lookout Cluster

On I think it was the first day I was here I ventured over to a nearby shopping area to get myself something to eat. First off it was a really nice walk through a park like area and past an elementary school filled with children that reminded me of that French story book titled Madelaine where all the children are dressed the same with the pretty dresses and hats. It seems so civilized and yet one of those differences between American and Australian cultures that makes the travel experience all that much more interesting and special.

Conical Bloomer

Conical Bloomer

The other thing about that particular walk was that on my way back I cut across one of the playing fields because the groceries were heavy and it seemed like a shorter distance was in order. So as I am cutting across this field I was amused to have all these black birds swirling about me. I had to wonder if other park users fed the birds and that was the expectation.

Pink & White Trumpets

Pink & White Trumpets

But then it occurred to me that there were not birds, they were bats. My friend Branden had pointed out the herds of bats hanging from the trees as we made out way from the airport to the house. They quit circling me as I left the park and made my way up the street. It was just one of those interesting and somewhat quizzical experiences.

I don’t know about you but I couldn’t, and really wouldn’t want to travel to another country where the culture was essentially the same as my own. I travel for the myriad experiences.

Spiny Perspective

Spiny Perspective

As I write this I am aware that back in Maine they still have snow on the ground and yet the crocuses and other bloom-able things are as yet just peeking up out of the cold earth. And yet here and also in Scotland there are lots of things already in full bloom.

Don’t forget to click HERE so that you can benefit from all my myriad travel tips and insights.

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