Yesterday, my friend @alinak15, born and raised in this area,
took me for a tour of some local sights not far from Loutraki where I live.
Lo and behold, during this odyssey
we stumbled upon the perfect house for one of our illustrious steemit witnesses, the incomparable and legendary @liondani! (I recommend all steemians vote for @liondani witness to make steemit great again! https://steemit.com/~witnesses)
If he moves in we could call it Liondani in the Lion's Den, n'est-ce pas?
(After all, he chose his moniker after the Book of Daniel) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_in_the_lions%27_den
Leaving Loutraki,
we made a short tour of the adjacent Isthmia area, famous for its major attraction, the Corinth Canal. This I first showed to you, my faithful bots, in a post 11 months ago:
https://steemit.com/steemitphotochallenge/@onceuponatime/steemit-photo-challenge-39-minimalism-ii-rock-and-water
and I again show you here:
You can also discover the fascinating history of this canal in two @alinak15 posts:
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Corinth Canal; All the history! Part I https://steemit.com/history/@alinak15/corinth-canal-all-the-history-of-it
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and
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Corinth Canal; Part II - Past meets Present!!! https://steemit.com/travelhistory/@alinak15/corinth-canal-part-ii-past-meets-present
After Isthmia we decided to drive towards
the spot where Winston Churchill's daughter, Sarah Churchill, kept a home. Alina happened to know about this because it was her (and her brother's, steemian @tkappa) father who built the mansion for Churchill's daughter!!! Back then Sarah Churchill, also known as Lady Audley after she married her first husband, Lord Audley, was dating a young Greek actor called Theodoros Roumbanis. Alina tells me that Lady Audley also used to have a permanent residence in Jamaica, but that she loved it here more after Alina's dad built Sarah's mansion for her!
Sarah Churchill (Lady Audley), British actress and dancer (photo credit ixquick.com)
A candid autobiography by the daughter of Winston Churchill provides an intimate portrait of her father and discusses her dramatic life, marriages, Hollywood career, and personal tragedies (amazon.com)
Unfortunately,
Alina informed me that the house, and much of the surrounding area, was now in the possession of a Russian oligarch who keeps panthers on the grounds to keep "visitors" away! So we decided that we would begrudgingly succumb to hunger and stop for a meal before arriving as far as Sarah's old haunts :-) and then, reluctantly (due to the late hour of course), turn back.
Along the way Alina pointed out the spot
where Helen of Troy used to bathe in an ice cold spring! No wonder her skin was beautiful enough to launch a thousand ships! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_of_Troy
Hey, maybe I should be giving that a try! LOL).
If only some of the stones could speak! They would probably tell us of Helen's beauty and the wars that were fought over her so long ago!
photo courtesy of @alinak15
The beaches, cafes, and restaurants
that we were passing by were mostly deserted. We had the road almost to ourselves. But Alina assured me that, beginning after Easter, it would be "standing room only" and that hordes from Athens and around the world would be taking up every available spot!
Finally we spotted a restaurant that, although it appeared to be empty,
looked as if it might be open. As it was not too late yet, we pressed on anyway - heading towards what Alina assured me was a little known spot with the very best seafood anywhere!
Some time later we arrived at the place
which, ostensibly, has the world's finest seafood dishes. (Though, if you are not a member of the @alinak15 fan club, you will probably never find it!!!!)
That's Alina. I'm a fan club member! The restaurant was closed :(
So, the restaurant was closed,
But it was a delightful place nonetheless.
See what I mean?
Even though I wanted to face the panthers ahead
with nothing but my bare hands :-)
our stomaches were rumbling and it was time to head back towards the one restaurant that had looked like it might be open. Am I glad we did. Soon we were partaking of the world's "second best" seafood anywhere!
Unfortunately, although we had the place entirely to ourselves when we first arrived and during the appetizers, a bus load of matrons from Athens arrived - turning the restaurant into a cacophony of chatter and gossip. Oh, my aching ears! (But the food was magnificent!)
See, I'm promoting steemit everywhere I go! (photo courtesy @alinak15)
But wait, I've gotten way off track.
This post is about getting @liondani into a Lion's Den!
Let's make steemit great again!
Don't you think that @liondani should be moving here?
All photos by @onceuponatime, unless by @twiceuponatime or otherwise attributed
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ouzo and out,
@onceuponatime
Wow! What a honor and surprise! You made my day! You gave me a psychological boost very much needed lately!
PS Unfortunately I don't own a house like that... but luckily I can confirm that I have a couple of friends that are billion times more valuable than all houses in existence... ;)
I bought some lottery tickets. If I win, the Lions' Den will be yours :-)
You took wonderfoul pictures and you have perfect ideas @onceuponatime!
What fabulous good taste you have, my lawyer dear :-)
man ... i cant even buy a lottery ticket... :p
You don't need to buy one. People discard them all the time. Just pick one up. Your chance of winning is just EVER SO VERY SLIGHTLY DIMINISHED because the draw has already taken place LOL
I know my stars ... If i buy 10 tickets and discard ... The 9 will be having prizes and the 1 one i choose will be hqving a sorry for me 😝
Best comment I´ve read today
I wish this home for you and the family, you deserve this on so many levels. Such great hearts as yourselves would make of this place a palace for the masses deserving the company and space.
Namaste dear friend! :)
Alway success @liondani
Highly recommended for you. Its will fit you perfectly well. You deserve such a mansion and many more
Love it! I've been through that canal at Corinth. Very impressive looking up from below!
Wow, Stan. First time I've ever thought of you as looking up from below. I assumed that you have always been looking down from 30,000 feet!
Amazing post sir @onceuponatime !!!
Sir Liondani is a fantastic person with incredible
personality !!! He is helping and supporting all the people without condition...!!!
I am very lucky for knowing him and of course his my bigger sponsor here in steemit community...! I want to thank you all and i hope to meet you soon !!!!
With respect,
@mr-phoenix (George, for friends...)
Haha..
The front gate looks like an entry to a Kung Fu dojo and the sculpture of a lion makes it awesome.
This would be perfect for someone named @liondani
Woah!! The place looks beautifully great.. I love nature and with your photos you bring life to it.. thanks for the share @onceuponatime.. with the food I love those and hope to experience eating that next week (mouth watering seafoods), were bound to have a family trips in the island next to our place and their rich in seafood (thats the people's way of living focus in there) and about @liondani as a witness I already did that was week after I did my first post on steemit (by that time honestly I don't know what witnesses stands for, its just my friend who invited me here give some names for witness), with your post sir I can see that @liondani as a witness is best in helping and supporting and is really a good witness, thanks for the information. God bless
oh yeah i love for this guy since like forever ;)
WOW!!!!!
Love the post @onceuponatime!!!!!!
I am so happy you had such a good time! The photos really look Amazing and I will agree with @tkappa, you look happier than ever!! 😀💗 💗
P.S.: I am certain @liondani will love "his" house lol :p
"you look happier than ever!!"
Great food has a way of doing that to me (and great company too!)
Ok, one more of the beautiful shots ;)!!!
Is that @twiceuponatime?
I am quite certain ;)!
Charming view.
What a gorgeous landscape (that gave birth to my divine existence lol). What a gorgeous sister I have!!! @onceuponthetime you look better and happier than I've ever seen you. It must be Loutraki's water ;-)
Does Zeus know about your divine existence? Beware the jealousy of the gods!!!
I am sure He's alright with it, as this was my first logo at theo-cracy.com ;-)
I just hope, for your sake, that Zeus is kinder to his sons than Cronus then :-)
Hahaha, well but you know the end of Kronos according to Greek myth right?
"Zeus cut Cronus's stomach open. After freeing his siblings, Zeus released the Hecatonchires, and the Cyclopes who forged for him his thunderbolts, Poseidon's trident and Hades' helmet of darkness."
Zeus was a BAD husband and a filthy cheater, but he's described as an ideal father. He knew better ;-)
Father knows best :-)
Agreed! ;) It must be the air or the waters... Namaste :)
I hope you're well my friend :))))))
Namaste :)
Thanks a lot @tkappa, I'm very well, though have been working too much and, thus, slowed down my activites on Steemit for a small stretch of time. So much more is to come though. I also hope this message finds you well, easily smiling, taking good care and thriving!
Namaste :)
That's like 500000 upvotes hold my beer
A beer in time saves nine.
That's the once upon a version of the old English saying "A stitch in time saves nine".
The Liondani's Den seems to be a marvel! It would be incredible for him and the family to move into such a place and wish it for them.
The seafoods looked incredible and the tour a total delight. So far, this post must be the best one I have ever read coming from your end: The format, the tone, the subtleties in language and insinuations... I loved it!
Thanks a lot for sharing, keep your radiant smile and taking good care, thrive and namaste :)
Wherever you go to Greece, you will only see the beauty!!!
What a kind thing to say about my eyes! LOL
😂😂😂😂😂
Hmmmmm.... A beautiful house with 🦁 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁 is perfect for liondani for some reason....mmmmmm 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 I don't get it 😓😓😓😓😓😓😓
I didn't expect you to this many days into a beer challenge :-)
Life is a beer challenge!
Well then, I hope you are able to snatch victory from the jaws of beer!
Love those views! The best was across the table from you me thinks :)
I admire your good taste!
@liondani I've followed best steemian in this platform and have seen giving massive support to newbies via resteem service. But I haven'r follow @alinak15 yet and I'll do.
You created amazing experience to us. I love all images who's upload there. Top class leveling nature shown. Glorious home buying to @liondani. Calm background here.
Onwards and upwards!
Awesome travel post . I love the way you synchronise words with pictures, @onceuponatime. It is like being in a conversation. Photos are superb. :) . You look handsome and @alinak15 is gorgeous ! Beauty of Greece lives. Helen of Troy exists still :) :)
Best wishes to the Lion ( @liondani ) in his quest for his Den !
By the way, @onceuponatime , wherever the Lion lives, it becomes the Lion's den ! :)
Resteemed :)
Hmmm, you skillfully avoided confronting with the panthers with that feast, but hey... I guess you didn't want to make our sweet @alinak15 watch such a violent scene. True gentleman!
You doubt the power and courage of my bare hands to confront panthers, tigers and stuff?
(Thank God. Now I am off the hook to rescue any fair damsels in distress)
Cough, cough I don't doubt it, I just think you are more of a good-mannered pacifist ;)
Oh, good thinking!!!! I will "borrow" that from you to use from now on:
"Hey, punk, I would kick the shit out of you. But, you lucky f'ing bastard, I am a pacifist"
^_^
I can not believe that you live in such a beautiful place! The bridge is incredible and even though I don´t eat fish, the dish looked mouthwatering and very fresh! And I can see, you´re a beer lover ;)
Sometimes I can't believe it myself :-)
A beautiful day for 2 beautiful people. What fun!!! That seafood makes me hungry............
It's all amazing & attractive scenery @onceuponatime. I know and seen Greece is most fabulous country around the world. No issue there. Great history and architecture foundation has there. However @liondani's home beautiful. But you only taken from outside. Where's inside ones. I mean where's garden photo shots?
Finally you increase my hungry and mouth watering process via delicious meal and beer. Have a nice day.
Those lions appear to be stoned.
Takes one to know one?
Probably.
Ah, probability theory has its place even here :-)
Wow so awesome collection of photos and love greek-trail @onceuponatime
Stunning Pictures ..No doubt greece is very beautiful country..you are living at awesome place.. Enjoy the food that seems very delecious.
The food is icing on the cake :-)
It is really beautiful the area that you live in..
I'm really happy to meet you ..
I hope soon to drink a coffee to Athens or Loutraki...
@onceuponatime, You found amazing place to @liondani. I'll immediately add @liondani
my vote for witness category. Such a fabulous photography taken near by restaurant. Outstanding landscaping area viewing. Finally you and @alinak15 enjoyed great meal with beer. Mmmmmm...... Thank you for the presentation.
@liondani is one person I'd call my Steemit role model. I love and respect this Steemian so much. There is a mini campaign going on within my small clique to vote him as witness. His house looks really beautiful
@liondani is the best!
@Liondani is a very good man.
I respect him for his work and encouragement here on steemit.
one chicken that does not crow, but the morning will certainly still happen. your pictures are very beautiful and make everyone entertained. thanks for sharing sir @onceuponatime
You could always crow about your chickens :-)
Just kidding Sir,,, 😁
But I really like your post because it can make me inspired in my future posts. Thank you Sir @onceuponatime
So, this was the washroom of Helen of Troy :P Then the second son of the KING of Troy had seen here too :D
By the way you @onceuponatime and your friend @alinak15 has very beautiful smile, thanks a lot for the wonderful photography :)
No, that's not the spring where Helen bathed. That's one of the ruins nearby though.
Oh i see, thanks for the explanation ;)
I can keep watching the Corinth Canal forever, it has an amazing view.
You two seem to have a great time together, promoting steem at the same time lol.
If you can't promote steem, what meaning does life hold?
It holds a couple more meanings but I've already forgotten about them, being busy with this and that :d
Nice to see happy faces enjoying their time ;0)
Hahaha. True. I love Steemit.
That's an impressive number of lions; seems like the sort of place that would be home to a Roman Senator or something like that — Very Important Building. People in the Mediterranean area seem to be very fond of "impressive statuary."
Good looking lunch, though...
Lunch is what is important anyway :-)
You have done a wonderful walk around Loutraki !!!! I am jelaus!!! As for @liodani he deserve to live at this house with lions!!! Wish you always to have fun and a great time!!!
@onceuponatime,
#1. Voted @liondani as a witness!
#2. You made a fantastic tour! That would be an amazing experience, I wish one day you will visit my country and will make a great tour journal as well!
Enjoy!
Cheers~
Happy touring and thanks for sharing
Wow great travel experience and very beautiful photography.
Excellent sir your life!
Thanks @onceuponatime
Have a great day and wish your all the best.
A beautiful home to stay with family. for a new bride is more beautiful living in that house
The house is beautiful and comfortable
The nature looks astonishing, breathtaking and food looks mouth watering
It seems you have travelled a lot I think you would have burned a lot of calories, well it hurts when you reach to a restaurant and it's closed and hurts even more when you are hungry, btw nice shots taken, keep sharing such posts, and I will upvote @liondani posts, to wake him up from his den, also the nature is at its best
Amazing and outstanding selection for @liondani..
I have witnessed it for the first time and its looks very attractive.keep working your best i will very happy to see you in future.
Very interesting post. Especially liked the food, it looks so appetizing, I think and the taste is excellent. You had a good time. Thanks for sharing :)
I enjoyed scrolling down and reading & seeing each of the photographs.Thank you for posting. Lovely photographs of your stroll and well written missive of your musings. So enjoyed reading about them and how you appreciate it so. A Wonderful post......it would be a privilege to see indeed.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post this.
Really beautiful place. You are looking cool
Enjoy
I just gave my witness vote to @liondani.
awesome pictures as always
amazing, enjoy the travel.
the man called @liondani is a perfect being , for so long now not less than 1month now that i have been following him i have learnt great thing from this man and am greatful to be part of your succes sir @liondani.
@onceuponatime i started following you recently and am happy to be part of your work on steemit.may you never lack anything in your life.
i will always have suprises for you guys and i will make sure that people who are from my country and are around me vote @liondani as a witness.
Travelling is always enjoyable and exciting ... I like travelling...@onceuponatime... A candle doesn’t loose its light, by enlightening another candle. Compare with travelling..
Wow!Excellent photography.You are really creative photographer. Please stay with photography. how the beautiful natural view is! Very color full also. this see world good to traveler.
Really breathtaking pictures. It has been a long time since we saw your post here.
nice travel , excellent post , thanks for sharing
wow...
very nice place...!!