Greece was just as I remembered it last year, but then again that’s why I keep going back. A highlight from Greece was visiting the Benaki Museum in Athens. Benaki was a wealthy man living in Alexandria who migrated to Greece in the early 1900s. He was an avid collector of Greek history and art, particularly that of Modern Greek history. After his death he donated his estate and his entire collection to the Greek government – hence the Benaki Museum was formed. I don’t think there is any place in the world with a more impressive collection of Modern Greek history than here. On the third floor was the traveling photo exhibit of Hubert Pernot. In the late 1800s Hubert was commissioned by the French government to come to Greece, take photos and convince the French people to vacation there. I’m not sure why the French government wanted the French people to vacation in Greece, perhaps moral was low and Greece was seen as an exciting new land just coming out of a 400 year war. In any case, Hubert fell in love with Greece and spent the next 30 years of his life touching every part, during which he compiled three amazing photo albums. This exhibit is a collection of his best photos (digitally enhanced of course).

You can look at photos from my trip here.

Photos

Paros, Greece – I hadn’t posted in a while and thought November deserved something.

More information:
EO Natural Hazards: Fires in Greece
Greece Declares Emergency as Fires Rage
Greek Fires Kill 63, Scorch Olympia Site; 32 Suspects Arrested

The Greek island of Naxos is rich with a certain type of mineral called Emery. Before the decline of the industry, the town of Moutsouna was buzzing with boats docking to get their next shipment. Today Moutsouna is used as a small tourist destination with nice villas and cafes for people looking to get away from the busy city life. I spent an afternoon here while I was in Naxos and saw the ultimate BBQ near the water (were the boats used to dock). Give me that BBQ with that view and I’m happy.

See them here.

Since my last golf course post I’ve played Humber Valley, Markham Green, Bantys Roost and Remington Parkview.. I really wanted to post about each course I went to this year, but it looks like they are going to be delayed.

I went shopping in Buffalo last weekend at the Walden Galleria.. with the great exchange rate (I got 1.08 at the bank), you can’t go wrong. The only thing you have to look out for, is getting back over the border without paying any taxes on your goods. Here’s what I did: I crossed over at the Peace Bridge and told the border rent-a-cop we were meeting friends in Buffalo and driving to the American Falls. After shopping, we stuffed everything in my golf bag and took the 20 minute drive to the American Falls.. which by the way are amazing. After spending some time at the Falls, we crossed over at the Niagara border. When the person at the crossing asked what we were doing in America, I just said we went to look at the American Falls… he replied “really? I’ve never done that”.

In a strange turn of events, which started with the Facebook application, I have created a Twitter account.. I actually (kind-of) enjoy it and will probably be updating it while I’m in Greece.

In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the enemy in one of the most famous last stands of history. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I could pass. After three days of battle a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks, revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers. Though they knew it meant their own deaths, they held their position and secured the retreat of the other Greek forces. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war. The subsequent Greek victory in the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian navy destroyed. Xerxes was forced to flee to Asia and left his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle for one last time. The Spartans and other Greek allies assembled at full strength and decisively defeated the Persians in the Battle of Plataea, putting an end to the Greco-Persian War and with that, Persian expansion into Europe.

The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment and good use of terrain to maximize an army’s potential, as well as a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. The heroic sacrifice of the Spartans and the Thespians has captured the minds of many throughout the ages and has given birth to many cultural references as a result.

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