I can't believe it took me this long to actually see the leaning tower of Pisa. It was one (of the many) highlights of my trip. Construction of this tower began in 1174 and it started to tilt after the completion of the first 3 stories which, they discovered, was because it was not built on solid rock, but water-soaked clay. Eventually it was completed and if straight, would measure 180 feet tall - the tilt is about 14 feet from perpendicular. The tilt worsened and in 1990 was closed to the public. It is now stabilized and tours now continue (maximum 35 to 40 people at a time ) at a cost of about 30 Euros. It is quite the site to see.

A while back, while on the island of Naxos, Debbie and I met two women from New Orleans (Diana and Nancy). They filled us in on the the politics of the hurricane in the area, of the president of the country and many many other U.S.A. topics. It was all very interesting. Before we left the island, we all went out to dinner at an excellent restaurant which George (our hotel host) recommended. Of course, the Greek meal was wonderful.

, Just a quick blog to let you know we are still alive and happy in Italy. We rented a car - darn, they upgraded us which is what we did not want in Italy - and just started driving in Tuscany. We found Agritourismo was the way to go for accommodations. The first picture is a room we had in Luginano, in the home of Cristina, Dino and Mamma. The house was very old and they made their own wine and olive oil - of course we not only sampled their wine but took some with us. The next picture is a house we rented from Claudio and another Mamma. This one was in Ferrone, just outside of Imprenatta. We stayed there for 3 days. From there, we toured Chianti Country and it is just as beautiful as Francis Mayes writes in her books, Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. We are currently in Milan - by Malpensa airport actually, and will fly home tomorrow, so will put some more pics on the blog once I am on my own computer. Ciao for now.

Ah Venice! A Mother's Day celebration in St Marks Square. Debbie and I deserved it. There is music around every corner. This fellow was singing opera in a small campo, his voice resounding off all the walls. We had a great time. The weather was perfect. We even had a thunder storm but it was in the middle of the night! Perfect. Alas, all good things come to an end and we boarded a train today and are now in Florence. It is even hotter here than in Venice. Tomorrow we are on our way to Pisa to see if that tower has fallen over yet, then renting a car for a drive about. Our holiday is soon coming to an end, only 10 more days!!!

OK, just to prove Debbie and I are alive and well, here we are in Naxos on our last day there. Since that day we went to Glyfada, Athens, a town we would not go to ever again (but now we know), then flew to Venice. Four glorious days there and are now in Florence, the home of Pinnochio.

We are now out of greece and into italy. Venice is just as beautiful as I remembered. The weather is sunny and hot (still) and we are going to a baroque concerto in a lovely old hall tonight. Over to Murano tomorrow to see them blowing glass then a couple more days of hanging out in Venice .. which is not too hard to take. I now have to brush up on my Italian and try to forget my Greek .. which I was just catching on to. So, ciao for now.

The wind has finally stopped and now we can feel the sunshine. We go every other day to our local baker who bakes his bread on a wood fired oven (pictured above)...and I must say it is the best bread I have ever tasted. His father owned the bakery before him and now his son works there too as well as his wife. .80 euros for a loaf. The other picture is one of our local bars, which we visit in the late afternoon for our ouzo or Alpha beer. I love the young man who serves us and waves to us every time we pass his place during the day. Well, we're off to the beach now and later will dine with the two women who are in the same family hotel as we are now staying in. Life is good! Yassas....

Naxos

We found the island of our dreams - Naxos. This first picture is of the temple they started building but never finished - they got the door frame done ONLY...the island is that layed back and no cruise ships so no hoards of tourists invading all the time. Last night we went to a jazz festival in a section of the castle that used to house the prisoners. This building is 800 years old and above is the room used for the festival. The walls are made of granite and marble which was from the original acropolis of the island. The mortor is a mixture of volcanic ash (shipped over from Santorini), sand and crushed marble, and the ceiling is made of cedar and juniper wood, seaweed and straw. The accoustics are phenominal. On Saturday, we are going to hear classical music in this same room. During intermission, they serve you wine or the liqueur of the island Citron which is made from the leaves of the citron tree (between a lemon tree and a grapefruit tree). And possible on Sunday we will hear modern Naxos music and at the end, learn how to Greek Dance. Our hotel is right beside the most beautiful sandy beach - now we are waiting for the winds (apparently from the Black Sea) to stop blowing so we can enjoy the beach and the sand. Since we are here for a week, we will possible rent a car and drive the island (apparently you can do that in one day, although we have found that buy the time you stop to drink your greek coffee and a gyro and stop to check out a castle or cathedral we do not accomplish as much in one day as most people seem to!!). Next week, will be Glafada (beside Athens) for a couple of days before our flight to Venice. So for now, we are sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the island and all the friendly people. Yassas.

Mykonos

We have now been in Mykonos for 5 days. We find it VERY touristy compared to Lesvos. Time to move on - so are leaving on the fast ferry today for the island of Naxos. We know absolutely nothing about this island so it should be an adventure. Mykonos reminds us a lot of Skagway - lots of little streets lined with stores (esp jewellry). This is a very popular cruise ship stop, so sometimes the town is drowning in foreigners...of course, we don't include ourselves as foreigners! And a lot of beach resorts. It is still the scenic whitewashed town I remember from 30+ years ago - just a lot bigger and faster. Next blog may be from the mysterious Naxos. Kalineekta.