Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Thessaloniki

We were supposed to take an overnight train from Istanbul to Thessaloniki, but there had been torrential rains in Bulgaria, which opened flood gates and consequently washed out the tracks in Turkey. So we took the bus.

This is all I have to show for the 10 hour trip:
Istanbul bus station
Coke Light can

Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we checked in to a lovely hotel and then got a walking tour courtesy of Savvas. I was only semi-conscious until around lunch time the next day:
Art nouveau doorway
HelExpo
Very Ottoman-looking
Cathedral
Art gallery...
...in former mosque
City wall
Self portrait
Ate delicious dinner here

The next day we went to see King Phillip's tomb, an hour or so out of town. Then we returned to the city for a seaside repast featuring more grilled octopus and two kinds of whole little fried fish, followed by a stroll along the waterfront promenade.
UFO Club
Face stickers
Umbrella art 1

That night, the kids went off to Athens, and I was left to wander on my own...
Umbrella art 2
Former hamam
Entrance
Pavement design
Groovy building & sign
Knotweed
Saw thistle
Old sign
Old house
Scary!
Crumbling...
...old...
...architecture
Dog
Haussman-esque
Shell gas mascot
Real estate ads
Wall walk garden
Wall walk gate
Wall walk blue house
Wall walk yellow house
Wall taverna

The next day it was time to say goodbye. I decided not to buy any souvenirs, but I did get a delicious Greek easter bread at the bakery, which was pretty much the only thing open on Sunday.
Souvenirs
Bakery
Marketing!

2 comments:

wendigo said...

busy procrastinating i see
plugging your trip posts, with your kind permission.

Mark Atkinson said...

Plug away!