Friday, July 27, 2007

Toroni


I thought I should give some info on the places I am going to visit this summer, starting with Toroni.

I have been visiting this place for more than 30 years, I am technically a "local". Although the place has changed a lot over the years, many things have stayed the same.

The memories will never go away ...






Let's start with some historical facts about the place (The alien will love this!)






Toroni (Τορώνη) is a municipality in Chalcidice, Greece. Population 4036 (2001). The seat of the municipality is in Sykia (or Sykea).
Toroni is named after the ancient city of Torone (Toroni)
The ancient city was named after Toroni with Proteus the mother of Telegonus and of Polygonus, both killed by Heracles, whom they had challenged to a contest in wrestling. (Apollod. ii. 5. 9)
In the 8th century BC it was founded by colonists from Chalkis. In 424 BC Toroni supported the Spartans against the Athenians
Toroni was conquered by Philip II in 348 BC and by the Romans in 168 BC
The ancient harbour of Toroni is now under water.
The church of Agios Athanasios from the 6th century in the region was destroyed by a fire, only a Mosaic remained.




There are lots of things to do over there. Of course spend endless hours on the wonderful beach or drink coffee at the beach cafes, have a delicious meal in the numerous taverns or just take a walk in the evening, enjoying the views.

And you can visit many places nearby if you get bored!





For me this place is more than a village with a nice beach and a historical interest. It's my childhood, my adolecence, my adulthood. It's a matter of love and hate actually...

Since it is probably going to be my last time there, I guess it will be time to remember.



Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The sacred art of stealing


It's really an irony that I'd been reading this particular book the day we got robbed, isn't it?
When I first started it, I found it really boring (sorry Mr Brookmyre)
Then I got to the bank robbery which was brilliant. But there's more... Boy meets girl. Girl is a cop, boy is a thief, very clever dialogues.
I am just getting nervous when I visit the bank!!!

Monday, July 23, 2007

I got burgled

I came back home...
I went to sleep... Someone broke in from the back balcony. It was very easy, the windows were wide open, what can you expect with 40 degrees outside?
They saw us sleeping...
They took my laptop. I've had it for 23 days... They took my camera...
My most favorite things.
Today I have the police comming over and over for prints and stuff.
It is a big shock.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

On our way home!

Home sweet home!!
The beach is wonderful, but I cannot survive there for more than a month!!
I have been in Halkidiki since June 30th and I can say I really enjoy the fact that I am home at last!!
I will be going back in a week, I just came home to experience the wonderful heatwave and then head back to the beachhouse for a week or two!!

Here is some videos I made with my son on our way back, in the car! We are having some fun - sorry it's in Greek only but unfortunately he doesn't speak any other language yet...



And a little joke!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

On the beach




Kalamitsi




exploring

I am still in Halkidiki, but we thought of going around places than stay in the village all the time.
The beach over here is great, but unfortunately there is not much more to do!
So, I finally convinced my husband to take us to a couple of villages nearby.

First stop was Parthenon, a deserted village on the top of a hill, just 10 minutes away from Marmaras.
It is ideal for walking around and enjoy nature and there are a couple of taverns/cafes where you can have your meal / coffee and enjoy the view.

We ended up in Marmaras, a lot of shops, cafes, and lots of tourists.
I'll have some more pics on my Flickr account later this week.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Poligyros


6 vryses
Originally uploaded by tpapapanayiotou
I had to go to the capital of Halkidiki today to take care of some things with the tax office. My dad's business is now officially closed.
I hate to say that I spent almost 2 hours gathering signatures.
The heat is unbearable today, but I couldn't help going out for a photo walk while I was there!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Saturday afternoon

Sotiris came with a big surprise for the kids this afternoon! So, they all got down to work!

I guess it was worth it!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Black out




Have you ever felt that you have a "black out"? These past few days I don't want to do anything, no reading, no blogging, no taking pictures, no inspiration at all... Just getting bored!!
I have to admit that I am a city kid! I cannot enjoy myself in the countryside!!
At least someone else is having a good time!!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy


I borrowed this book from my student Artemis. They had to do a project about it at school. When I heard about the story it sounded interesting. But when I actually saw the book, my enthusiasm began to fade... it was about 600 pages long.

A fascinating trip through space, through time, witty dialogues and a lot of playing with words.

Douglas Adams, the author has worked as a script editor for "Dr Who" and made the "Hitchhiker" as a play for BBC radio, and then it was "evolved" to a book and later to a film.

If you like sci fi and have the time, it's a good read!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Some things never change


I have the luck to have my best friend Anna with me in Chalkidiki, since last Saturday. Today she came to cook for us, a delicious dish with chicken and Basmati rice. Anna loves to cook. She has had this "hobby" forever and her dishes are mouthwatering...
Unfortuntely, my friend is very camera and Internet shy, so she didn't let me post a real picture of her cooking!!! What a pity!



I remember, about ten years ago, on our stay in Vienna, she made Mousaka for our Austrian friends... This was really an adventure, since we couldn't find aubergines easily and we ended up cooking Mousaka without them!! The bechamel sauce was also really funny to prepare, since it was the first time we had to make it (without using the ready made powder)!

Great and delicious memories!!!

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Saturday

The weekend is finally here, but unfortunately it doesn't last too long...
I hope everybody's having a wonderful time!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Castles in the sand


Thursday today and I just can't wait for the weekend... At last I'll have people to talk with!!!
Today we spent most of the day at the beach making sandcastles with the kids and playing in the water...

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Killing orders


I know I have been complaining a lot about having all that stuff to do at the beachhouse, but I have found some time to read a book. Craig and some students of mine were kind enough to lend me some books for the summer.
I just finished Sara Paretsky's "Killing orders". A detective story, I like those! I'm a kind of person who loves a good mystery!
From what I could tell, the author has written a series of books with the same character, a woman detective called V. I. Warshawski.
To tell you the truth, it reminded me a lot of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone, which is the same type of stories.
A good read for the beach though!
Do you have any good books to recommend?

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Fun in the sun!



4th day in Halkidiki today - Yiannis has finally met his old friends and seems really happy playing all day outside and enjoying the beach!
As for me, I must have ironed more than 100 bedsheets and pillowcases these days, this is one of the reasons I didn't want to get involved in the family business. The pension is not open to tourists this year, but still, there are a lot of things that have to be done! And this is only the beginning!

Monday, July 2, 2007

My first days at the beachhouse


As we first arrived we met chaos!!
The cleaning lady didn't show up, the man who was supposed to clean up the garden and throw the garbage away went back to his country with the money we gave him and the house needed and still needs serious plumbing job...
Sotirs and my mum did the gardening while I was washing up. Not to mention that it was raining cats and dogs the day we arrived!!!
The majority of the locals over here has really disappointed me - I mean, we've been coming every summer for the past 30 years and everybody knows us, but still only 2-3 people gave me their condolences, although everybody knew about my dad's death (gossiping in the village...)
But life has to go on.
Take care everybody!

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