Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and Home

Finally - and reluctantly - here's the last post to "Clare and Isabelle's Adventures in Greece and Turkey." It is hard to let go of those perfect days and nights with our two beautiful granddaughters in some of the most unforgettable sites in the world. I think the girls will agree that this was a trip we'll always remember with a sense of gratitude for all the blessings we experienced, not least of which, for us, was sharing it with them. Their parents should be very proud of the two young women they've raised. And they need to be forewarned --- seeing more of the world is on their daughters' horizons. Returning to Santorini is definitely on their list.

So here we are at Rhodes where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus, used to stand until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 B.C. You can see the columns that once held the huge bronze statue, thought perhaps to be Helios, the Sun God, on either side of the harbor entrance. The rubble lay there for 900 years until 700 A.D. when it was carted away on the backs of 900 camels. (History is fascinating, isn't it? I couldn't make this stuff up.)





Now the columns hold small bronze statues of deer. Kind of a letdown if you were imagining Helios straddling the harbor entrance ----





No trip is complete without a photo of Jerry/Papa examining a map. This time he has two pairs of young eyes to help him find what he's looking for.





We felt as if we were real Europeans on this typically European beach. (Yes, that means some of the women were topless. And no, of course we weren't, as you can see.)





A popular attraction was this diving platform just off shore. Santa Cruz, take note!





The girls pose with our handsome, attentive waiter, Vangellis, who lives on the island of Samos with his wife and two sons. He was very excited about having a week with them when the ship docked in Athens.






We were fortunate to have the Chuncheon City Youth Choir join us onboard for the last three days of our trip. A group of 50 young people from Korea, they have been together only two years and had just won the Gran Prix at the Preveza International Choir Festival in Greece. They were amazing. We felt as if we'd been treated to a world class concert.






The day began early for our excursion on Crete to the earliest known civilization, the Minoans. The girls are standing in front of the Palace at Knossos celebrated for its exquisite paintings and "modern" conveniences such as indoor plumbing. No big deal until you realize this culture thrived over 4,000 years ago!





Clare and Isabelle on the bus ride back to the ship, very excited about all they had seen.





Time to refresh ourselves for the afternoon stop in Santorini.





We had been told to watch for "snow-capped" mountains, and here they are. Only it's not snow but the white buildings found on the edge of the caldera formed by an enormous volcanic explosion that occurred 3600 years ago. Some people think that the event is the origin of the legend of the Lost City of Atlantis. Can you see the white building on the right?





It's a blue-domed church perched on a rock. Spectacular.





We arrived at Santorini on a tender and looked with some trepidation at the cliff that awaits visitors. There are two ways to ascend, a cable car and donkeys. Can you guess which way the girls chose?
























And they're off ---- after the four elderly donkey-handlers had finished yelling at each other. I had been telling Clare and Isabelle that Greeks sound like they're fighting when they talk to each other, and this was a good example. Their "conversation," which eventually ended in laughter, was more scary than the donkey ride.





The top of the world!





My goal achieved --- sipping a cool drink with a view of the caldera and the Adriatic Sea! (Jerry was not convinced that the 20 euro bill for four soft drinks - $30 US - was worth the million dollar view, but we were.)





We discovered the Church of St. John the Baptist in the midst of the buildings and winding alleys and just inside the door, St. Therese, a reminder that our friends and families were keeping us in their prayers. Thank you all; thank you, St. Therese.





The last chance to shop, and Clare and Isabelle realized they hadn't bought anything for themselves. Their bracelets will always remind them of Santorini.







There was only one thing that could make our time in Santorini even more picture perfect - a full moon!





This is when I discovered that my camera had some options I hadn't used yet. This choice is called "vivid," and it delivers what it promises.






As the ship pulled away from Santorini, I took two photos with different exposures, both of them showing the white buildings reflecting the last of the sunset and the full moon rising higher in the sky. And in the foreground are two very happy girls.












July 15 - Montreal. Bienvenue!





We were blessed to have time to "hand over" Isabelle, safe and sound, to her mother and sister and also to enjoy a picnic prepared by Kristin.











But we didn't get through US Customs until 15 minutes before our plane was due to leave! Jerry was having a panic attack. But, about six or so hours later, we were in San Francisco and then Oakland where Clare's family was thrilled to have her home.





And so the dream trip is over, but only in real time. In our memories and hearts and these words and pictures, it's still happening. We're grateful for all of you who accompanied us. We'll let you know when it's time to take the next grandchild or two on an adventure.