A birthday journey to Greece and the island of Crete

By: Jean-Paul Courville

Statue of Leonidas at Thermopylae

In 2015 I traveled to Greece, explored Athens, ventured on a "group bus tour" for a total of 700 (plus) kilometers on the mainland to Delphi, Meteora, the ancient city of Olympia and whats left of the battle site of Thermopylae. I continued to the island of Crete where I hiked thru the Samaria Gorge, hugged part of the coast on a boat, and rented a bike to ride where my heart and desires led me.

Mainland Greece

Athens Acropolis

Theater of Epidavros

Temple fo Zeus Olympia

Olympia Greece

Greece site "The Tides of War"

Athens

Athens the temple of Zeus

Delphi

Meteora Hiking

Athenian Treasury Delphi

The Temple of Apollo Delphi

Greek Museum

Athens

Sprint blocks orig. Olympics

Athens Museum

Athena Pronaia Oracle Temple

Delphi Greece

Meteora Monasteries

#jpcpose Delphi Greece

Meteora

Molon Labe

The island of Crete gave me the luxury of hiking, biking, and eating local cuisine in a more spontaneous format. Hiking the Samaria Gorge ends on the Libyan Sea where a local farmers restaurant offers a superb meal with fresh olive oil and a boat ride along the coast. I biked thru the popular streets and cafes and along the open roads. One early morning a local farmer was selling fresh harvested watermelons next to the beach, I purchased one, rode my bike to the shore, parked and devoured the water melon with my naked feet in the sea.

Samaria Gorge Crete

Samaria Gorge Crete

Crete, fresh seafood

Biking on Crete

Crete Island

Samaria Gorge Crete

Bonus: The Temple of Apollo at Delphi