This roll of film encompasses my visit to Saronis where my Dad’s family resides during the summer months just steps away from the beach. Cousins Peggy, Chrysoula and Marianna are seen in the first few frames, first cousin Olga with me in #05-06 and the town of Saronis in #07-09. In 1972 I summered with my parents and sister where we spent one month sunning and taking banio everyday with our Greek relatives. Did you know that the Greeks count how many bania they take over the year? If you score above 50, that’s an impressive number and adds years of good health to your life. Swimming in saltwater promotes circulation, distresses the body and boosts the immune system. And that is a scientific fact! There is more content in my diary that details the visit with my sweet, generous and loving family.
The remaining photos are on the ferry leaving the port of Piraeus bound for Iraklion, Greece. The city of Piraeus has a long history dating back to the early 5th century BC where the port allowed for import and transit from Athens and was the base of the Athens Navy. You can see the busy sea travel with boats throughout the harbor and on this day in late June there was no exception. Today, the port is one of the busiest in the world where over 4 million passengers travel throughout the sea lanes of the Ionian, Adriatic, Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Piraeus is also one of the busiest container ports in the EU. Imagine how much Greek olive oil, olives, herbs and feta travel around the world to enhance our meals? I especially like #18 where a man strides past dressed in red stripes and blue pants. Is he a workman on the ship or a tourist like me? You feel the weight of a Datsun pickup truck in #20 as three men pull the vehicle onto the deck of the boat. The papou in #20 awaits the departure of the boat before the overnight journey to Crete. The Greek nation uses ferry boats as casually as we order an Uber today. There are over 1,112 ferry routes throughout Greece and during major religious holidays the boats are packed with travelers going back to the family villages throughout Greece. In #22,24, 25 & 26 you see vendors plying their wares to before the boat leaves harbor with trinkets, kompoloi (Greek worry beads), oversized dolls, transistor radios, snacks and much more. In #27, 29 & 30 you see the interior of the cabins where sharing a bunk with a stranger is not unusual. In frame #35 we are leaving the port at dusk and ready for a game of backgammon before falling asleep in our sleeping bags on the hull of the ship. Next stop, Knossos, Kolimbari, Rethymon, Chania, Phaestos and the dreamy hippy delight town of Matala. From Crete we travel to Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Stay tuned!
The remaining photos are on the ferry leaving the port of Piraeus bound for Iraklion, Greece. The city of Piraeus has a long history dating back to the early 5th century BC where the port allowed for import and transit from Athens and was the base of the Athens Navy. You can see the busy sea travel with boats throughout the harbor and on this day in late June there was no exception. Today, the port is one of the busiest in the world where over 4 million passengers travel throughout the sea lanes of the Ionian, Adriatic, Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Piraeus is also one of the busiest container ports in the EU. Imagine how much Greek olive oil, olives, herbs and feta travel around the world to enhance our meals? I especially like #18 where a man strides past dressed in red stripes and blue pants. Is he a workman on the ship or a tourist like me? You feel the weight of a Datsun pickup truck in #20 as three men pull the vehicle onto the deck of the boat. The papou in #20 awaits the departure of the boat before the overnight journey to Crete. The Greek nation uses ferry boats as casually as we order an Uber today. There are over 1,112 ferry routes throughout Greece and during major religious holidays the boats are packed with travelers going back to the family villages throughout Greece. In #22,24, 25 & 26 you see vendors plying their wares to before the boat leaves harbor with trinkets, kompoloi (Greek worry beads), oversized dolls, transistor radios, snacks and much more. In #27, 29 & 30 you see the interior of the cabins where sharing a bunk with a stranger is not unusual. In frame #35 we are leaving the port at dusk and ready for a game of backgammon before falling asleep in our sleeping bags on the hull of the ship. Next stop, Knossos, Kolimbari, Rethymon, Chania, Phaestos and the dreamy hippy delight town of Matala. From Crete we travel to Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Stay tuned!
© Diane Alexander White PHOTOGRAPHY