The Travel Connection

Faded reminiscent of a lavish bygone era, Acropolis is a collection of multiple monuments. The current state is due to foreign occupation, pilfering of foreign archaeologist, inept renovations and of course nature's fury. Along with these factor,the indifferent visitor who do not respect the history have made it worse. Does this  remind you of multiple monuments across India. History repeats itself no matter the location. A short climb up the flat rock outcrop and one reaches the propylaea. It is the gateway to the cradle of history. Phidias was the lead architect. The first sight of Doric columns from a distance, the most easiest to sketch was underwhelmed by the crowds. But as we got closer to the gateway, the temple of Athena Nike with ionic columns and the scale of the Doric columns gave us the first preview of what can be expected inside the citadel of acropolis. Stairs Leading to western facade of Propylaea The reconstructed Temple of Athena Nike in tetr...

We had the opportunity to arrive at Athens via air and sea. The arrival at the Athens international Eleftherios Venizelos was without any incidents or something to talk about. However the entry via port of Piraeus was a different story overall. Piraeus,a hilltop district is a colorful and authentic Greek neighborhood that overlooks the sea. The early morning entry into its port with the sun rising behind the hills, the many ferries and yacht anchored, the massive wall graffiti, some run down buildings makes it an inviting welcome into the city of Athens. Athens is the world's capital of Graffiti. Graffiti is less street art and more a graphic expression of the growing popular discontent of the social, political and financial crisis Athenians live in. And it is no longer just Greeks, but graffiti writers from all over the world display their art. Though  we did not explore more of the murals, it did leave an impression. But what left an major impression during my formative ...

Snow clad mountains and Greece. The ignorant me wasn't expecting that.  And that is what we saw at a distance from the old port of city of Chania. The harbor is a mesmerizing sight. A walk back in time reminiscent of Venetian and Turkish architecture is a pretty sight to a tired traveler. The soothing walk along the many boutique hotels and restaurants that dot the port is just what the doctor will order. The light house at the mouth of the Venetian harbor was built in 16th century and is as photogenic as a light house can get. The cherry on top of this town was the white mountains or Lefka ori. It is a popular place  for the adventurous. For time bound traveler like me, it was sight to be experience from a distance and nothing more. Old port Of Hania/Chania One of the  two things one must absolutely do in Chania is go on drives through the mountains across the many gorges. The traffic is calm and easy. The roads are dotted with floweri...

My knowledge of Greek history was non existence. There were a few familiar names/characters that rang a bell but nothing more. A quick tour of the Palace of Knossos at Heraklion Crete made me want more than just a familiar ring. This change in my heart was all due to the most amazing story teller of a guide who took us around this largest bronze age archaeological site. I was clueless about the Minoan civilization and its culture. Forget about the neolithic settlements that made this place as their base as early as 7000 BC. Mind boggling History!! I cannot recreate the stories  that the guide engaged us with, but of course can share the pictures. The palace complex has multiple  buildings and served as religious civic and economic center.One of first things that stuck me was when we were told that what we experience in this complex  is a reproduction based on the interpretation of archaeologist Sir Authur Evans. Opinions about its accuracy varies but for me it was ...