Russia Sampler

I'm currently in Russia and without a computer, but here's a sample of some of the places I've been so far. When I get back, I will write up much more detailed posts. Tonight, though I have to catch a 52 hour long train trip to Siberia.

Food Fridays: Greek Cuisine Sampler

From my recent trip to Greece, a couple bites from Athens, Milos, and Santorini!

First stop: Athens for some Loukoumades! These are basically Greek donuts with honey and a little bit of cinnamon. There are a couple different styles, ranging from these (the best we had) which are a little more crunchy to ones that are more like regular donuts to loukoumades that may as well be called frybread with honey. Doris was well worth the visit.

Loukoumades in Athens

Doris: Delicious! 

 More after the break...

"To the arcopolis?" "No! To DORIS for loukoumades!": This is what happened to me.

Pollonia, Milos: Chocolate "pie" and Baklava. These were found on the island of Milos. The chocolate "pie" was as rich as you can get, and the shop (whose name I am unsure of) has a pretty wide selection of handmade foods and local honey. Very good! The baklava was very good, and from the local corner bakery (although I don't think they make their own). 

Fira, Santorini: Pastitsio and Lemon Chicken from Nikolas Taverna in Fira. Traditional Greek dishes, including a pasta with a béchamel based top which is much like a rich lasagna. Lemon chicken is... well, lemon chicken! Nothing fancy, but a lot of Greek cooking is about the basics. 

Greece: 5 shots from Santorini, Milos and Athens

Santorini:

14 more photos after the break!

Milos:

Athens:

Back to Turkey: 15 shots from Topkapi Palace, Chora Church, and Istanbul

I'm back from Istanbul and Greece, but getting ready for yet another trip next week. Unfortunately, that means that I can't write up a good true report at the moment, but I will post some pictures as a preview of what I will be writing about when I get back.

Topkapi Palace: 

Chora Church 

 Around Istanbul:

Stockholm Sunset

Flight Report: The Stockholm-Istanbul-Athens-Stockholm Loop

A week and a half ago, I headed back to Istanbul for a couple days before heading on to Greece for the first time. Of course, with that comes some flights and here's a quick photo set from the five flights. More flights on Lufthansa, although mysteriously I received flight credit for these flights, despite the fact that they were booked in the L and E fare buckets which aren't supposed to give any. I won't be looking that gift horse in the mouth..

Stockholm - Istanbul via Munich
Stockholm to Munich (Lufthansa):
The first flight and very good weather. The view of Stockholm is always nice and now the ground is bright green, from all the plants (which are also blooming for allergy sufferers). A standard flight, with a sub par meal: It felt like they rushed it out so they didn't have time to cook. The result was what can be seen after the break....

Arlanda, Stockholm's Airport

 Four and a half more flights after the break, along with inflight meals...

ARN-MUC: Economy: Not-quite cooked calzone

Munich to Istanbul (Lufthansa):

Munich isn't a place that I fly through too frequently, so it was nice to see it and see the countryside near the airport. While climbing I shot a photo of some odd mounds, which were rather interesting. The meal was better and one of the menus that seems to be gaining popularity: Red curry chicken. I've had the same thing on a SAS flight out of ARN, so it must be getting pretty common now.

What is that mound thing over to the left?

MUC-IST: Economy on Lufthansa: Red Curry Chicken

Istanbul to Athens (Aegean)

Our flight a few days later was on Aegean, which was the first time I've flow with them. They seemed nice enough (and the cabin crew, all women, looked like they dressed more like they did in 60s than today's airlines), but the drink service took a long time. We were on final descent and they were still picking up items.

Aegean: IST-ATH: Economy: Lamb with Orzo. Overall pretty good!

Greece, along with sailboats down there in the water

Athens to Stockholm via Frankfurt
Athens to Frankfurt
Goodbye to Greece! By the time the flight took off, we had already been traveling for 18 hours (Greek ferries... I can't recommend them. Fly to the islands instead!) so not too many pictures from here, but at least I nabbed the meals.

Lufthansa: ATH-FRA: Pasta with Red Sauce. Seemed like there were extra olives, too.

 Frankfurt to Stockholm

Lufthansa: FRA-ARN: Now here's something a little different! A chicken wrap with pickled vegetables. Not bad at all.