This was a funny episode: Dad correcting “Son of Greece” multiple times about “Roman ruins and hieroglyphics” while in the heart of ancient Greece made my day.
Greece is absolutely stunning and amazing. Such a small country geographically, but massive in terms of natural beauty, shoreline, and the immense amount of history and subcultures (food, music, dances, traditions, etc.) from one village or island to the next, make it uniquely the only place on earth that has endless ways to enjoy your time.
Swimming in exotic locations is always a goal for me. I would say the best was in Siwa Oasis, Egypt. Remote, about a 9-hour drive from Cairo, it is full of springs, waterways, and pools or baths. The most famous is Juba Spring also called "Cleopatra's Bath." I swam in that one and several other smaller and out-of-the-way pools and springs in Siwa Oasis.
It was documented that shortly before his death, Alexander the Great asked to be buried in Siwa Oasis at the temple of Zeus Ammon, although his wish was probably not honored. The burial of Alexander the Great continues to be a mystery and even the subject of current legal battles. Fascinating stuff!
For me, it was attempting to swim in the dead sea, but instead floating on my back in the heavy salted water. It was a true magnificent time, relaxing without the need of a raft.
I hate to be a stick in the mud as I always seem to mention this, but:;
n Siwa Oasis, the risk of "brain-eating amoeba" (Naegleria fowleri) infection primarily exists in the warm, untreated freshwater springs, not the famous salt lakes. The high salt concentration in the salt lakes prevents this amoeba from surviving. To ensure a safe swimming experience, it is crucial to understand the risks of each water source and take appropriate precautions.
Risk in freshwater springs (e.g., Cleopatra Spring)
The "brain-eating amoeba," Naegleria fowleri, thrives in warm, untreated freshwater and can cause a nearly always fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Infections are very rare but can occur if water containing the amoeba is forced up the nose.
Naegleria fowleri is a risk in any warm, freshwater (untreated) environment any place in the world and not particularly any more or less endemic to Siwa Oasis. You could appropriately post that comment about any place that people swim in warm, fresh untreated water.
Caution should be taken in all places in which there is a risk of getting contaminated water up your nose.
I enjoyed this episode, especially the comments about how hot it is. I've been to many countries, but Greece is the only country where I got seriously heat sick. The heat, for me, was truly unbearable. When I recall the week in Greece, the first thing that comes to mind is HOT.
I don’t know that I have attempted to swim in strange places, but one of my favorite places to swim was around the cave areas at the island of Milos.
One funny episode, and totally acceptable in Greece apparently, was when we rented hotel rooms near Kalamata and were told that they had a swimming pool. However, we were surprised to find out that indeed they had a swimming pool, but there was no water in it !
I really enjoyed this episode. They boys had me laughing out loud. It's always nice to get a young person's perspective on things. The comments by Iden he tells it like he sees it) reminded me of some of the things my 20 year old grandson says.
Pool at Hotel Cipriani in Venice
This was a funny episode: Dad correcting “Son of Greece” multiple times about “Roman ruins and hieroglyphics” while in the heart of ancient Greece made my day.
Greece is absolutely stunning and amazing. Such a small country geographically, but massive in terms of natural beauty, shoreline, and the immense amount of history and subcultures (food, music, dances, traditions, etc.) from one village or island to the next, make it uniquely the only place on earth that has endless ways to enjoy your time.
Can’t wait to visit Greece again next year!
Swimming in exotic locations is always a goal for me. I would say the best was in Siwa Oasis, Egypt. Remote, about a 9-hour drive from Cairo, it is full of springs, waterways, and pools or baths. The most famous is Juba Spring also called "Cleopatra's Bath." I swam in that one and several other smaller and out-of-the-way pools and springs in Siwa Oasis.
It was documented that shortly before his death, Alexander the Great asked to be buried in Siwa Oasis at the temple of Zeus Ammon, although his wish was probably not honored. The burial of Alexander the Great continues to be a mystery and even the subject of current legal battles. Fascinating stuff!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CKjX0kZjt9_/?igshid=14vswro0ds4iu&epik=dj0yJnU9d2tRTGVVaDBzLU9pQ3VTT21YTDZDd1JXa2FHUm5vRlgmcD0wJm49ZV9pa2NnY1oxVjVNM0xZeXJEc0tlUSZ0PUFBQUFBR2l5X1Bv
Galapagos Islands
Pearl River in Jackson, Mississippi
Went swimming in a pond with waterfall in Grand Etang National Park in Grenada. This was in 1969 way before Grenada was on the map for tourists.
I have posted on Nagleria many times on this site. I just thought it was apropos to swimming in Egypt. Not everything that looks great is great.
Hot springs in Costa Rica where one can move to different temps.
For me, it was attempting to swim in the dead sea, but instead floating on my back in the heavy salted water. It was a true magnificent time, relaxing without the need of a raft.
I hate to be a stick in the mud as I always seem to mention this, but:;
n Siwa Oasis, the risk of "brain-eating amoeba" (Naegleria fowleri) infection primarily exists in the warm, untreated freshwater springs, not the famous salt lakes. The high salt concentration in the salt lakes prevents this amoeba from surviving. To ensure a safe swimming experience, it is crucial to understand the risks of each water source and take appropriate precautions.
Risk in freshwater springs (e.g., Cleopatra Spring)
The "brain-eating amoeba," Naegleria fowleri, thrives in warm, untreated freshwater and can cause a nearly always fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Infections are very rare but can occur if water containing the amoeba is forced up the nose.
Naegleria fowleri is a risk in any warm, freshwater (untreated) environment any place in the world and not particularly any more or less endemic to Siwa Oasis. You could appropriately post that comment about any place that people swim in warm, fresh untreated water.
Caution should be taken in all places in which there is a risk of getting contaminated water up your nose.
https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/media/pdfs/naegleria_factsheet508c.pdf
I have to be an infectious disease physician and was posting Apropo to her site when she went swimming.
I enjoyed this episode, especially the comments about how hot it is. I've been to many countries, but Greece is the only country where I got seriously heat sick. The heat, for me, was truly unbearable. When I recall the week in Greece, the first thing that comes to mind is HOT.
I don’t know that I have attempted to swim in strange places, but one of my favorite places to swim was around the cave areas at the island of Milos.
One funny episode, and totally acceptable in Greece apparently, was when we rented hotel rooms near Kalamata and were told that they had a swimming pool. However, we were surprised to find out that indeed they had a swimming pool, but there was no water in it !
I really enjoyed this episode. They boys had me laughing out loud. It's always nice to get a young person's perspective on things. The comments by Iden he tells it like he sees it) reminded me of some of the things my 20 year old grandson says.