A common tern at the Kaloni Saltpans, and, in the main drain, squads of wood sandpipers.

The second day, we saw more birds, and more birders. Most were British, but others were German and Dutch. Like us, they were all in little rental cars, but, unlike us with our little camera and small binoculars, they had huge lenses and scopes supported on tripods.

Coffee break. Priests and old men, swinging worry, or prayer, beads.
The towns have very narrow streets,VERY narrow. That's why all the hire cars are like our Kia picanto.
What an experience it has been driving on the right for the first time!

Truly, we never took the car anywhere we wouldn't expect our Australian Seca to go, but we went over a ridge road and another up the pine forest to the plateau. We pulled up and were leaping out because Neil actually SAW a cuckoo, many of which were calling in the area. Two army guys in fatigues strolled over from the adjacent quarry to tell us we couldn't stop, the army was shooting today. Young Theo has a grandmother in Sydney. So we carried on down the other side of the mountain.

Down at the other saltpans were a sociable crowd of bee-eaters. Such colourful antics!

Last stop was a Roman Aqueduct, but we offer this photo of the red-backed shrike in the bush.

Today's morning coffee.

And this evening's stroll along the breakwater.

Ayiassos is a village in the hills west of Mytilini.  A friend in our Art Group in Frankston told us about it when we said we were coming to Lesvos.  Her Mum was born in this village, so we thought we would visit it.  The air is very fresh in the hills, with Pine & Beech Forests nearby, too.

Sandra drove a left-hand drive car for the first time today !  The dirt roads were quite bumpy as we went down to the South coast at Plomari.

We had a very breezy ride back to out Hotel in Mytilini.

Kalloni Birds, Lesvos, Greece

Kalloni is a large gulf in the island, which itself is quite large.  At the end of the gulf is a salt works & associated drainage channels.  These are a haven for birds, with flamingos usually in the salt pans (not today), and other fresh water waders in the channels.  Being a haven for birds, it also, therefore a haven for birders, and twitchers, and every other kind of odd bod like us.  We met folks from UK & Holland & enjoyed talking with them. The scenery was nice, too !  It is hay-making time, the birds all have young around them, the early summer scents are marvellous.  Lovely to be here !

Athens & then on to Mytilini

Athens was a revelation, in more ways than one.  A very rough introduction was when my wallet went walkabout in a Metro scrum on the way in from the airport.  Fortunately, there was not much in it, & with the help of a wise elderly Pakistani, one call to Oz neutralised the loss.  The experience meant doing things differently, which is physically helping my back, now.

Yes it was hot, but we took 2 trams which compensated.  The views were marvellous.  It being Greek Election Day meant added spice, after all these poor folks have been through over the last months.  Lovely folks helped us in the midst of their difficulties.

Mytilini is a large island near Turkey where migrating birds pass through.  The pace has slowed after a very active first week of travel, which is part of our "crouching and lurking" intent.  We should see some birds tomorrow, all being well.  The harbour views, and cool drinks, are most refreshing.

Among the Hutongs                        Beijing Jottings                  05.05.2012

After 3 days, we are leaving Beijing.   The Hutongs (lanes) were so distinctive, but hard to take, with so many folks living in such small places, lack of air & health issues.  The Azure Winged Magpie is the fun character bird of our visit, not that we saw many others, though a few in cages.

The amazing part of our arrival was our taxi driver.  He found our Hostel without too much trouble, even though it was 1.30am, with ill-lit hutongs (lanes) & few people around to ask.  The hostel directions must have been good.

 Hutong Liu Li Chang has the music & art focus, with shops selling calligraphy brushes, paintings, making personal stamps, (so I got mine with “NG” in calligraphic script). The folks we met were just good to meet.  From the chop sellers, to the Hutong Family who sold postcards which we wanted for the grandchildren, the Rickshaw Men & the art teacher to be.

The Summer Palace so full of people now, unlike the days of long ago when only the few could enjoy the ambience.  

Although missing the whole-day marathon of the Great Wall, we found the City Wall built in 13^th Century, (11m high, & 14m wide at the top) just as interesting.  It overlooks the Beijing Railway Station, where the Trans-Siberian Express starts, which was an added attraction for Neil.  The pedestrian shopping mall of Wang Fu Jing dwarfs anything in London, or in any cities we know.

And to compensate for the warm weather, we found a local watering place, probably well known to many a foreign traveller : “Helen’s” - also known as “Inn 365”, is inscribed with many greetings from past residents, all over its walls & ceiling.  But it’s the people of Beijing that one remembers, whether in the prosperity of opening a new shop, or in daily chores.

One special moment was to enter a genuine Chinese Tea Shoppe & enjoy a refreshing drink of real green tea.  We could move on to Europe knowing that we had accomplished much & enjoyed meeting many good folk.

Praticing.. Greek, Maps & packing...

Lonely Planet has been great & still a lot to review, to ensure that we are ready.  Found another good birding spot just north of Thessaloniki  - yesterday !  More map finding etc etc...
"Thelo ena ouzo"  "I want an ouzo"
& just now our first heavy rain of winter & 1 or 2 places where the drips that I fixed in our spring, have re-appeared  - so to be re-fixed asap !
But celebrating our Joce & Aaron's 2nd wedding Anniversary today.  Now that was a GOOD day !
More maps...

2 Weeks today in Beijing...

Yes, in final countdown mode already, having read all the Lonely Planet books that are available in Frankston Library.  Bought the maps, checked the essentials, & almost.. ready for Eastern Europe & our Euro 3.