TRAVEL THE WORLD - NAXOS

We had a lovely time on the Greek island of Naxos in 1998. The lady from our hotel met our boat and led us through narrow streets and white-washed houses. At dinner that evening, we met interesting fellow guests: one was a reporter for a Toronto newspaper, and the others were a young man and woman who worked as freelance film-makers in Los Angeles. This made for fascinating dinner conversation.

The island of Naxos itself is beautiful and quite large. We had a harrowing time on a bus trip around the island. Although the views were spectacular, every time the bus sped around a sharp corner, we were afraid we would be hurled over the edge into the valley far below.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - ATHENS

For more than 20 years, my husband, Paul, and I have traveled the world. We've visited Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

Why do we travel? Mainly it's because of our interest in people - their history, culture, architecture, art, their achievements and their challenges. Starting today, I will begin to post the highlights of these vacations.

The first photo - I think very appropriately - is of the Parthenon in Athens taken in 1998. I first saw the Parthenon in 1984 and was filled with anticipation on the climb up to see it. It is perhaps the most significant site in all the world, not only for its pure beauty but also because it symbolizes all that we admire in the ancient Greeks - their mathematics and science, their respect for the individual, their practice of democracy, their attempts to understand the human condition, and the classical beauty of their architecture, vase painting and sculpture.