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.