Greece: Adventures in Epidaurus and Mycenae

There is a wonderful museum at the Epidaurus Theater and archeological site, as well as the ruins themselves. Some of the

What I love seeing the most on these historical explorations is when there is actual work being done. Many of the sites that we went to in Cyprus and now Greece had active archeological digs happening, and it is so exciting to know....that history is still being explored and new things are being discovered on a daily basis.

Temple of Apollo

Temple of Apollo

Temple of Apollo

Our tour guide/driver, George, was awesome. Knowing that we were lovers of wine, we took a small detour to a local winery to enjoy a tasting. And yes, the wine was delicious enough that we picked up two bottle to enjoy for the evening to come.

Mycenae

Leaning into the wind, loving my life

Greece: Trek to Corinth

We opted to hire a tour service to optimize our time in Greece and enjoyment of the tours. Renting a car adds the stress of someone driving and someone navigating, so you miss out on enjoying the journey. Reviewing online travel sites, we opted for George's Taxi Service out of Athens and they were incredible! A private car with a professional and debonair local driver with an incredible arsenal of Greek history. It was the best trip, despite the information overload.
Our first full day in Greece, we escaped the city and headed down the coast to explore the area of Corinth.

Corinth Canal

Acrocorinth Citadel:
Note, this is not for the physically challenged. It was an excellent way to start the day, a steep and gorgeous hike up the side of the mountain. We were also early enough that we only encountered 2 people on our ascent.

I love the European poppies

To Greece We Go!

Greece has always been toward the topic of my epically long travel bucket list, due to its sites and history and culture, and of course, food. We are loving living in Abu Dhabi with all of the direct flights, and the trip to Athens was another early morning non-stop flight that had us arriving early afternoon. Athens airport is about an hour away from the city, so we opted to take the metro into the city, allowing for a nice view along the way, and avoiding the traffic. We stayed close to Monastiraki square, and conveniently has its own metro station. The exit from the underground did not disappoint as we caught immediate views of the Acropolis above us.

Monastiraki Square, Acropolis in the background

We had no plans for the afternoon, instead opting to just randomly walk around and explore our neighborhood. And this is exactly why I am in love with Greece: Random walk end up at historic sites hidden in the middle of a neighborhood.

Roman Agora

Roman Agora

Roman Agora

Acropolis

Roman Agora

In our wanderings we came across this wonderful little market with a butchery and a table in the back. I would share the name of it, but it was completely in Greek, but fortunately the owner spoke a decent amount of English (for us monolingual Americans). We ended up sitting and enjoying a nice round of local libations while sharing a platter of meats.

Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square

Gyro anyone? Oh yes, please!

I highly recommend staying in the Monasiraki area if you find yourself in Athens, it really is central to EVERYTHING in Athens, and makes everything very walkable and if not, the metro is right there, and very economical!
As the sun set on our first day, we enjoyed some street-food gyros and more relaxing walks through random neighborhood. I cannot wait to share our incredible excursions with you, so stay tuned!

Oman Adventure: Wadi Shab & the Omani Coast

Day Two of our awesome tour with Oman Day Tours we ventured far from Muscat and its sprawl of subcities, and headed to Wadi Shab for some hiking and swimming. We set out early to minimize our time in the midday heat, as temperatures are firmly rooted in the mid- to high-40Cs now (More than 110 degrees F). Despite the heat and intense sun, it was amazing and completely worth it!

Some things never change

Boat ride over to the trail head

Into the wadi we go

Inescapable beauty all around

Our fantastic guide: Abdulla

Hold on!

Drying dates in the midday sun

There were part of the excursion where the trail on the ground ran out and we were required to swim. This was not a bad thing, as it was hot and the water was so perfect!

When the trail runs out, you swim!

If you didn't know that there was a cave at the end of the trail, you would never continue on, as you have to go underwater and through a crack to get to it. Apparently, most people don't know this and completely miss the best part of the hike! Fortunately, research informed me and Abdullah was all about making sure that we experienced it (Some tour will not take you this far, tell you about it, or lead you in....so take note if you are interested in going!).

The cave at the end

There is a rope for climbing and jumping, a natural water slide carved in by the stream, and surrounding high walls to jump from.

Of course he HAD to jump

Our overheated group

After the hot walk back and cleaning up from our grossness, we ventured to a local hole-in-the-wall for a fantastic lunch of Indian cuisine. We took a very slow journey back to Muscat, venturing up the coastline, and on the beach. Sadly, none of us had the energy to ensure more heat and go swimming, but I already know that we will be going back to enjoy these incredible blue-green waters. The diving is also suppose to be awesome!

The amazing coast of Oman

Waters so blue

Waters so green

Omani love

Bimmah sinkhole

I cannot speak highly enough about the tour company or our guide (ask for him by name!). He was such an awesome representative for his country and culture, engaging in quite extensive and intensive. We were SO intrigued and fascinated about Omani traditions and expectations, as he was with our American ideals and ways-of-life.

For example:
He is planning on having a "much smaller family" due to economics and time, you know "only 5 or 6 kids".
His eyes almost popped out of his head when I told him I moved away from home when I was 18 (to go to college) and never moved back, even the time between college and marriage. That and Adam did not have to pay a dowry for me.
It was just all around one of the better trips that we have, though I honestly feel that I say this (and I do) about all of our trips for different reasons. That and it was only a 45 minute flight!

We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy all of this travel and the constant gratitude that fills me is overwhelming, granted we work VERY hard to be able to do this. The more we travel, the more I feel the need to travel. The need to see, to experience, to understand....to grow, to connect. We leave for Greece tomorrow morning and I am about to jump out of my own skin with anticipation.