Greece
These pix will all be from the island of Ikaria, my favorite island, where I have friends, and where I always go. Ikaros was the teenage son of the master craftsman Daedalus, who was imprisoned on Crete by King Minos. To escape, Daedalus devised wings made from feathers and wax. He warned Ikaros not to fly too close to the sun, or the wax would melt. He must have forgotten what it's like to be a teenage boy; as soon as they got in the air, Ikaros flew up as high as he could... and alas, the wax melted and the kid fell into the sea and died, near the island that today bears his name.
On the southern coast, these are Agios Kyricos, and Therma (where the official hot springs are). There are also free hot springs elsewhere on the southern coast. (see 2 below). Directly below is a poster at Evdilos port. Ikaria is mostly Communist. (sign says "ORGANIZED RESISTANCE, THE ROAD OF THE PEOPLE")
Hard to find, but worth the search. The hot water comes from under these rocks, and mixes with the cold water from the sea in waves... feels extraordinary. Nearby in Xilosyrtis is my friend Isidore's school and club Icarian Pirates. He's a great boxer and coach.
At left is the beach at Nas. It's the only 'officially' clothes-optional beach on the island. At far left in the picture you can make out the remains of the temple of Artemis. At some of these locations you can find modern-day offerings to the gods. I like to look around and I found this stuff below. Needless to say, after examining it I replaced it deep in a crevice. Don't want to piss off Artemis that's for sure.
That day I was at Nas, I was feeling kinda lonely, and I thought to ask Artemis for some social attention. It's not her portfolio -- that's Aphrodite -- but she's a goddess, and... well... Anyway, I went home to Gialiskari where I was staying (above & out my balcony at right) and took a siesta. When I woke up, I went down to Messakti Beach (below) which was not in my habit, but I felt like a walk... and a dip... and ran into these 2 ladies. They were looking for a certain church nearby where there was a wedding... and I knew which one they meant (look below far left) and so I thought I should guide them there as I didn't want them to get lost. We went to the wedding, had dinner, and that night I drove us to a full moon party at Maganitis.
(Still later I lit a candle to Artemis to thank her for coming through in a big way...)
Greece
At left is Christos Raches at past midnight. The Raches villages keep the strangest hours. Shops and restaurants are open way past midnight, but not at all in the morning. Supposedly this was an anti-pirate measure, or maybe how pirates have their fun...