That was an interesing 1.5H+ visit, and then time to drive to Olympia, a longish 3h+ drive...

The grounds were wonderful at the time, but by now, unfortunately there isn't a lot left:

Of course it had a small museum with things that were found on site:

I remember YUL, but this time around, didn't enter the country

nicely done, they check where you come from and if you come from an untrustworthy country, you have to go through security again. Fair enough

finally made it to the lounge

even got Poutine!

the Lufthansa plane was nice, but the flight was too short, barely enough time to sleep before landing in Munich

of course landed 1h late, with a 1h30 connection. I had to run through the airport to make my flight with 1mn to spare, and my luggage didn't make it

planey of snow in Munich still

finally arriving in Athens, lots of Islands visible right away

The Corinth Canal, between 2 seas, while of more limited importance today, was hand dug apparently 2000 years ago by 6000 slaves and is a remarkable achievement. It was later re-opened 2 centuries ago, although today it does not serve a purpose anymore for bigger ships that can easily go around

that almost seems like a wonderful idea :)

you can see the sea on both sides, and it's the same level, so no locks needed

We stopped at a few more minor archeological sites on the way that were all closed, but still able to get a peek:

not overachieving hours

looked inviting inside

fantastic view from up there

After that 2nd stop, it was time to head to Nafplio to end a very very long day (considering the flights that took over 24H)

Here is the blog with the week of diving

The shopping street was worth maybe 1H:

After that, the beach was indeed beautiful:

Nice drink and dinner with my partner in crime, Arturo:

I heard enough stories about the airport being a complete mess that I went there first thing in the morning, waited 15mn for luggage check in, got in before any lines started, and then worked 3H upstairs while waiting ror my plane:

Once you go to the plane, you just walk outside until you see a plane number that looks like yours :)

Err, Chinese and Japanese are different!

Next door, the botanical garden was quite enjoyable and had some bird houses and bird watching:

first time I see a cardinal!

I found another very cool bird with an unusual song:

The texas roads were quite good everywhere I went, and they keep building more:

I had a late night in Austin the previous night (lovely dinner and chat with Marc Antoine), so by the time I arrived at the Alamo and managed to park, it was already 11:00 and a total clusterf. Impossible to get any tour or audioguide or anything. I decided to abort and try Alamo again the next morning.
Instead, I started with the river cruise, which was lovely:

After the river cruise, went to check out a nice local market:

even found a friendly cat :)

While walking around some more, went to check out another poor bridge covered with locks. Silly custom that started in Paris :-

the cathedral is a bit basic, but has a nice projection light show at night

Next, I went to Historic Market Square, lots of nice colorful stores with a clear mexican touch

The last 3 activities of that day are on their own pages:

old, still working, aqueduc

From then, I finished the day by going to the Pearl District, nice to walk around and found a really great FRench Restaurant:

yummy beef, with seared foie gras

As an unusual sighting, I found a drive through Wells Fargo ATM. never had been through one before ;)

After that, time to head back home:

enjoyed some last BBQ before going to the airport

So long San Antonio...

(in real life, because SFO sucks, they cancelled my flight from SA to SFO, so I had to get an emergency uber back to Austin to catch a very delayed flight to SFO and made it home very late that night.

I originally flew to Austin for:

After those 2 were done, I had a day to spend in Austin, which turned out to be just enough for the main sights. I started with the state capitol:

From there, I went to the Blanton Museum of Art:

And the Bullock State History Museum was next (click for page):

I tried to visit the famous Franklin BBQ, but it was mostly sold out by the time I arrived (14:20). I was able to get some leftover "mixed meats", which was better than nothing:

The LBJ Library and Museum was a nice museum in the University, to finish the day. I learned a lot about the man, and he was one of the better presidents that the country did get:

When I was done with the LBJ libray and museum, I went to check out the 6th av district, including murals:

many businesses had these signs, saying anyone with any gun, was unwelcome

I went to check out the museum of the weird, but it was a lesser Ripley's Believe It Or Not, nothing to write home about.

The Texas Toy Museum and Arcade (click me) was a lot more fun, though. Good way to burn time until sunset, when the bats were supposed to come out under some bridge, but by then it started pouring rain, and they didn't come out anytime

everyone waiting and hoping, but no luck

nice views, though

After that, it was time to meet my friend Marc Antoine for a great evening together over some local BBQ:

And that was it for visiting Austin, outside of one museum that was closed that day, got to see all things on my worthwhile list ;)