Monemvasia-A Medieval bastion of the Peloponese

 One of the many arched entrances

Monemvasia is a small  island off the coast of the Peloponese connected with the mainland with a short causeway. It's name is derived from the Greek word Mone and Emvasia, meaning only passage.

 View from the stone trail up the mountain

The stone streets are filled with shops and restaurants and are only for pedestrians

 Holiday residences

A caper plant clinging to the stone wall

 You have to hoof it for the great views

At the top

Choose a table with a view and enjoy a glass of wine and some Greek specialties with a twist, like the grilled watermelon salad!

Enjoy!

Maria

An Ode to the Sea

The Sea, that welcomes me every year
as I plunge into her fold and glide within her fluid velvet

The Sea, that feeds me her tasty fruits
served on platters of seaweed and sea salt

The Sea, that washes away my body's stresses
and strengthens my muscles and my soul

The Sea, that brought the long tentacled creature
that left it's angry reminder across my arm

 The Sea, that makes my spirit soar

above and below

Enjoy!

Maria

Saronida Mon Amour-Greek zuchini with blossoms

We left behind the great blue heron ambling on our waterfront, searching for fish too slow for his quick beak, and arrived in beautiful Saronida. Today, after my daily yoga, I'm making a simple lunch with the fresh bounty of the Greek countryside.

Fresh zucchini with the blossom still fresh and attached were winking at me at the market. I bought a bunch, just enough for one meal for the two of us, and brought them home.

 The Greek melons, full of perfume and juices, make a satisfying after dinner finish.

The preparation of the zucchini is simple. Trim the ends, leaving the flower intact. Place in boiling water and cook until a fork goes through without effort.

 Cut some crusty bread.

 Dress the zucchini with olive oil and lemon juice. Accompany with ripe tomatoes and fresh cucumbers.

And, of course, it's not a Greek meal until we add a slice of feta sprinkled with mountain oregano and drizzled with olive oil. As our first home meal of the season in Greece, it hit the spot!
Enjoy!

Maria

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Jeff Koons @ the Whitney

Jeff Koons is one of those artists that people either hate or love. His work is by no means easy to "get" and a lot of it can be very controversial. He was the one time husband of Italian porno star and Italian Parliament member Ilona Staller, widely known by her stage name, Cicciolina. He has been called artist "provocateur" which I thought was an apt description.

 A photo of himself and Cicciolina in her studio.

The vacuum cleaners, early works on the first floor of the exhibit did not bode well for Stelios.

 The inflatable flower-early "work."

 Iconic sculpture

Daliesque painting called "Lips."

Artist Self Portrait

 Famous Michael Jackson sculpture with pet monkey

 The "inflatable" bunny made of steel

 Giant Pile of playdo

 Not plastic!

Stelios did find the exhibit interesting as we progressed to later works. I figured I'd let you judge for yourselves how you like Jeff Koons' "work."  Keep in mind that I read that his inflatable "bunny" or some such animal, recently sold for over $5million! I'm just sayin...
Enjoy!
Maria

Christian Louboutin shoes and Cafe Boulud in New York City

New York City is a city of wonder! So much to see, so many interesting people, shops, events. 

Of course, as the queen of shoes(have I ever mentioned that?), I couldn't help but stop in front of the Christian Louboutin shoe store on Madison Avenue on our way to Cafe Boulud the other night.

Alas, those heels are excruciatingly high for me right now. I'll just admire them in the window!

Arriving early for our dinner reservation, Stelios and I waited at the bar. It's a beautiful, serene space where one can rest their feet and sip their favorite aperitif. Ours was a bottle of French rose accompanied by a medley of really good olives.

At the dinner table I decided to go with the raw oysters. Whenever they are on the menu that's my first choice.

 The others had a lovely gazpacho.

The main course was a grilled swordfish with a salsa. Delicious!

Of course, dessert is key, and a chocolate gateau hit the spot.

These New York girls were so interesting, I had to ask for a photo. They gladly obliged. Thank you ladies!

It's no wonder New York city is a huge tourist destination. No where in the world compares!
Enjoy!
Maria