By admin on June 22, 2015
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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 (ΜαÏία) 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
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 ferry ride to Kea was uneventful and fairly brief. I think it was under and hour and then we were there.
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.
Posted in Greece, Islands, Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, cooking vacation, ferry, friends, fun, Greece, Greek Cooking, Greek Culture, Greek History, Greek Wine, James Talbott, Jim Talbott, Kea Artisanal, Travel, www.travelswithjim.com |
By admin on May 26, 2015
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
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
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
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
Posted in Greece | Tagged 300 churches, adventure, Aglaia Kemezi, Artichokes, cheese, cooking vacation, Cyclades, friends, fun, Greece, Greek Goodies, Greek Islands, Greek Wine, James Talbott, Jim Talbott, Kea Artisanal, Travel, Travelswithjim.com, Tzia, wine, www.keartisanal.com |
By admin on May 14, 2015
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
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
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?
Posted in Greece | Tagged adventure, champagne, Greece, James Talbott, Jim Talbott, Kea Artisanal, Kea Island, Strawberries, Travel, traveling, travels, www.travelswithjim.com |
By admin 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
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.
Posted in On The Road |
By admin on May 4, 2014
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
Branden
Pretty Flowers
View to the ocean
Last light
Pleasant Evening
Pink Hue
Beautiful View
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.
Posted in Australia, Brisbane, On The Road, World Travels | Tagged Branden Courtois, Glass House Mountains, Good Friends, Good Wine, james Talbott. Brisbane Australia, Jim Talbott, Peter Styles, Sunset, Tonya Caines, www.travelswithjim.com |
By admin on April 26, 2014
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
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. 
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
Posted in Australia, Great Barrier Reef, On The Road, World Travels | Tagged adventure, Australian Wine, barefoot, Bundaberg Rum, cockatoos, colorful fish, friends, Great Barrier Reef, James Talbott, Jim Talbott, piloting the boat, sailing, Sea Eagle, water sports, white sandy beaches, Whitsundays, www.travelswithjim.com |
By admin on April 18, 2014
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
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
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
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
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.
Posted in Australia, Manly, On The Road, World Travels | Tagged adventure, bats, Bloomin Australia, colors, fauna, flora, flowers, James Talbott, Jim Talbott, suggestions, tips, Travel, traveling, Travels with Jim., www.travelswithjim.com |
By admin on April 14, 2014
Aussie Rhinos
I think I had seen one or two of these Aussie Rhinos when I first landed in Sydney Australia just a week ago and might have thought back then that it was an interesting expression of art. As you might also know there are communities all about the world that are more and more interested in expressing a variety of art forms. And as in any culture art forms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and expressions.
Aussie Rhinos
I was not aware just seven days ago that there were 125 of these Aussie Rhinos all over Sydney. It’s kind of funny actually that when something is brought to my attention then I pay more attention to it. It’s along the same lines such that when I was driving a tractor trailer I became more aware of them on the road.
Aussie Rhinos
And only recently was I made aware that it is the brainchild of the Taronga Zoo here in Sydney whereby they are auctioning off these really creative Rhinos to bring attention to the plight of the Rhinos through poaching and habitat loss.
Creative Aussie Rhinos
Since I just know that you will be interested in all the efforts they are making you will want to click on this Rhino Link.
Save the Pretty Aussie Rhinos
And wile you’re at it you might want to sign up for my fabulous travel tips and insights as I circumnavigate the world. Click the word that says Fabulous!
Posted in Uncategorized |
By admin on April 9, 2014
The day started out with my dragging myself out of bed at the crack before dawn, getting something to eat while watching this enormous cruise ship glide into the Circle Key port just across the bay and then putting all my stuff together and making it to the rendezvous point in time to begin the days adventure off into the wonderful world of Australia.
I’m actually staying in a place I found via Airbnb. And you have to see this amazing view from the 8th floor. I had actually seen it when I was perusing places I might like to stay here in the Sydney area. I have membership in a travel club which has access to all sorts of properties world-wide, but evidently not in any of the places where I had wanted to be in Australia and since I prefer not to have to drive, especially in a place where they drive on the other side of the street from what I am accustomed to then it’s nicer to be in a location that has easy access to everywhere I want to be. Have a look at the view from where I am now.
Yesterday I was in the blue mountains of New South Wales. The mountains and the surrounding tranquil rainforest were really beautiful although there must be some sort of school holiday as I had to endure a modicum of screaming children at some point. And as a part of that excursion we stopped off at a place along the way back to Sydney proper where I had the opportunity to see and connect with Kangaroos and Koalas among other wildlife.
So when this next tour started off with a stopover at a reptile land or sorts I was was somewhat unimpressed. Although at some point as I navigated the trails I stumbled onto the Alligator/Crocodile exhibits and while I didn’t see them all at first I did find this one fellow particularly ominous sort of lying there waiting for some unsuspecting tourist. Fences make better reptiles!
As I ventured off I noticed that he was blowing bubbles. Maybe he was a wee disappointed that I was departing before the next meal.
I’m off on yet another adventure, on a boat with dolphins and such. Click this link to discover the interesting travel tip that I learned onboard the MoonShaddow.
Posted in Australia, Sydney, World Travels | Tagged adventure, alligator, Australia, ballet, bubbles, cruise ships, Dolphins, James Talbott, Jim Talbott, Manon, Opera house, Sydney, Travels with Jim., www.jimtalbott.com |
By admin on April 6, 2014
Australian Style Farmers Market
It wasn’t strictly a farmers market per se. It certainly had all those qualities but most farmers markets that I know of occur more than once a month. I gathered then that this Australian style farmers market was more on the order of a local celebration of products.
Delicious & Spicy
Yummy Goat Pies
My friends here in Australia have insisted that I try at least a few things that are quintessentially Australian style. One such item sounds like a beef and/or chicken pot pie sort of thing. But I had been assured that it was a different experience.
As it happened we found a vendor of Goat Pies. These Australian style pies weren’t merely goat meat in a pie. They were a tasty arrangement of goat and a myriad of Indian spices, which I love anyway, all encased in more of a pastry box. Looking at this picture you can see that it’s round. So maybe it’s a goat box.
The other item is a light cake dipped in chocolate and coconut and we found one of those as well. It was a tasty morning for sure. Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of that one. It disappeared fairly quickly.
Tastes like Apple Pie
This event is well attended with all sorts of people attending and purchasing the various fruits, vegetables, flowers, pies, cakes, fresh seafood and meats as well as a myriad of all Australian Style items. It was certainly a plethora of vibrant sights, sounds and smells.
Australian Style Scallions
And as we shopped in this one fruit stand I found several items that I have never before even heard of like custard apples that evidently taste like apple pie in a wrinkled fruit. Also of note are some of the vegetables and fruits that are much bigger and healthier looking that the same things I have seen in markets in Maine. They have lemons the size grapefruits.
I was at the grocery store the other day and spotted what I thought were scallions, except that the size was more consistent with leeks. So when I saw them again today I had to buy some for the salad we’ll be having at my first Australian Style Barbecue out on the deck under the stars. *I’ve been informed that shrimp on the barbie and fasters beer are not real Australian Style. I did have a White Rabbit Dark Ale the other day that is Australian.
Australian Style Goodies
I just know that you’d like the latest and best travel tips and information. So click here and you can learn from my myriad experiences.
Posted in Australia, Brisbane, World Travels |
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