#saronic gulf

[2seeitall]

Aegina Town, Greece

[julianworker]

Travels through History : The Peloponnese - Poros

This is an excerpt from my forthcoming book called Travels through History : The Peloponnese. Poros is very close to the mainland, indeed at first glance, it appears to be part of the Peloponnese. This proximity means that visitors to Poros can catch the ferry across to Galatas on the mainland and visit some of the closer sights, such as Epidaurus and Tiryns, perhaps even Mycenae. The renowned…

[yachtrentalathens]

Rent a yacht in Athens and explore the Athens Riviera and the Saronic Gulf.

[seaofwine]

aegina / somewhere in august

[sparkypantaloons]

I Protí Forá

Bruce loves his kids, he just really doesn't know how to say it. So he shows it instead, usually with ridiculous displays and gestures of affection. Because he's a billionaire, ya know? And also a massive dork.

Eleven year old Jason comes to realise all of the above, from the middle of the Aegean Sea.

The first time Jason gets on a plane he's eleven.

Bruce is taking them to Greece for a vacation. He says it's because work has been hectic, but Jason's pretty sure it's because he (Jason) has been reading The Odyssey. Bruce might be the whole big boss of Wayne Enterprises, but every meeting Jason's ever overheard from the study starts with Bruce saying "Hello!" all cheery before going "But let me hand you over to the most important man at Wayne Enterprises", and then Mr. Fox takes over, so it can't be all that hectic.

Besides, Bruce does stuff like this sometimes. Like once, Jason told him he'd never seen a basketball game and Bruce took them to see the Gotham Guardsmen versus the Chicago Bulls the very next week. They sat courtside, and Jason had the biggest load of nachos he'd ever had in his whole life, and Bruce even let him try a sip of his beer (which was gross, by the way). And then after the game Jason got to meet both teams and try and shoot some hoops with Michael Jordan, who just "happened" to be there (yeah right, Bruce) and he got a tour of the entire stadium.

So, when Bruce looked over the top of his paper one evening, with the same look he had when he asked if Jason wanted to be adopted, and said "Shall we go to Greece next week?" Jason's pretty sure it's 'cause he (Jason) was reading The Odyssey. And nothing to do with work.

They fly from Newark to Athens, in the first class suite on Etihad. They have their own mini apartment on the plane, with two wide-screen TVs and a double bed, their own bathroom and a shower. It's almost as big as Jason's old apartment in the squat he was living in before Bruce found him, but not quite. It's a lot nicer though and Jason can't quite believe all this is on a plane.

The air crew greet them with a smile and give them bags full of expensive 'amenities' and stuff and hand Bruce a glass of champagne. He tells them he used to have a private jet, but that they're terrible for the environment and he's trying to reduce his carbon footprint. He says it in that stupid voice he does when he's pretending to be what Dick calls a "himbo billionaire" but there's the secret grin at the corner of his mouth that's just for Jason, that makes Jason feel like he's with the best man in the world.

When they're somewhere over the Atlantic, the lady looking after their section asks if Jason would like to see the cockpit. It's not normally allowed, she says, but Mr. Wayne is such a good customer (and man, she adds, batting her eyes at Bruce over Jason's head, as though Jason wouldn't know what she meant) that the Captain has agreed to make an exception.

It's dusk, and the sky from the cockpit is bigger and more brilliant that Jason has ever seen. A glorious canvas of pastel pinks and purple hues, stretching up into a deep dark blue where stars are slowly beginning to blink into life. The Captain greets Jason with a smile and Bruce with a handshake. Explains what all the different lights and buttons and switches mean, and let's Jason wear her hat for a photo.

By the time they land in Athens, Jason is pretty sure this is the second best day of his life. (The first best is the day Bruce adopted him).

They're spend the night at a fancy hotel, in a room on top of a cliff over looking the Saronic Gulf, which Jason has never heard of but is apparently part of the Aegean Sea. They have their own private swimming pool and two huge beds - one each, though Bruce says Jason can still share if he wants to.

The air is warm and thick, even as the day begins to fade, and though he's not that good at swimming yet, Jason is desperate to jump straight into the pool. "After some supper," Bruce promises, sounding a lot like Alfred. But he keeps his word and the two of them lie on their inflatables as night falls. Above them, in the dark, there are more stars in the sky than Jason has seen in his whole life.

~

The first time Jason has been on a boat he's still eleven.

He and Bruce wander down to a little dock below the cliffs wearing matching boat shoes and shirts. Jason is wearing his Gotham Guardsmen cap and Bruce has a white strip of sunblock under his eyes.

"Technically it's a catamaran" Bruce tells Jason, explaining the difference between hulls of the two as they step aboard. "Kalimera George!" He says, "O gios mou, Jason. Jason, this is our skipper, George."

Later, many years later, Jason will know enough Greek to realise Bruce introduced him as his son, but as he steps aboard the cat all he can do is wonder what Bruce said, smile shyly and shake George's hand.

They sail south from Athens, passing the Temple of Poseidon in coastal Sounio and onto the Aegean Islands. Jason has finished The Odyssey by now, but has moved onto other Greek myths, Theseus and the Minotaur, Artemis and Apollo, Icarus and Daedalus. The sea is a brilliant, turquoise blue, diamond bright under the warm Mediterranean sun and by the time they reach the island of Kythnos, Jason is itching to jump in.

They find a secluded cove, with a small rocky beach and George drops anchor.

"Last one in is a Green Lantern fanboy!" Jason crows, and he leaps from the back deck into the crystal cool water.

It's his first time in the sea, any sea, and he can taste the salt on his lips. The water is calm and he bobs lightly, laughing as Bruce makes a strangled cry and leaps in after him.

"You love Green Lantern!" Jason teases, giggling with his head thrown back to keep it above the surface. He's not so good at treading water yet.

Bruce drifts over to him, pouting. "I wasn't ready, no fair." He says, pulling Jason towards him and onto his back.

Jason closes his eyes to the sun as Bruce swims them round the cove a little.

"Let's swim back to the cat." Bruce says, and Jason chews his lip because it's a little far. "I'll be right beside you." Bruce promises and they swim back to the boat, together.

That night they lie out on the deck and Bruce points out all of the constellations from the Greek myths; Orion and Cassiopeia and Hercules, though obviously Herakles is the proper Greek name for him.

"Whose your favourite Greek hero, B?" Jason asks, his head on Bruce's stomach.

And because he's corny like that, Bruce says "Jason."

~

Jason's first crush, the first one where it feels like something, he's eleven still, and he and Bruce are on a tiny island called Nykterides. It's a nature reserve for bats and other animals and, honestly, sometimes Bruce is such a nerd, because of course he owns the island too. And of course it's a bat-island. Bat species in the Aegean are vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change (apparently), so the island offers a safe refuge. He tells Jason all of this with a very serious look on his face and all Jason can think is what a huge dork Bruce is. There's a tightness in his chest as he listens to Bruce explain, but it takes him a little while to realise the feeling is fondness.

Only a few local families live on Nykterides, Bruce says, as they sail up to the tiny harbour. The buildings are square and white, with some blue domes but mainly flat, low roofs. Conservation staff also live on the island, scientists and biologists too, and there's a small taverna on the shore where they can eat and drink together.

A boy, no more than 19 greets them as they approach. "Kalispera, Mr. Wayne." He flashes them a smile and Jason feels a little breathless all of a sudden. The boy's skin is a glowing golden bronze, his hair falling in dark, rich waves.

"Kalispera, Giannis." Bruce says, a hand on Jason's head. "This is Jason."

"Ah, like the Argonaut?" Giannis asks with a wink, and something in Jason's stomach flips. He thinks about Apollo, most beautiful of all the God's and tries not to blush.

Giannis serves them lunch, and they sit with George and the others on the island, in the shade of a few palms. They eat fresh caught mussels and clams, with salad of tomatoes and cucumber and olives. Fresh cheese with honey, and rice and vegetables wrapped in vine leaves. Jason feels like he's living in a dream, grins up at Bruce and smiles shyly at Giannis as they clink their glasses and say "Yamas!".

As the evening wanes, Giannis tries to teach Jason a few words of Greek.

"Efcharisto," The words roll off Giannis' tongue and Jason finds himself staring at the older boy's mouth.

"Eff-ha-rist-oh" Jason repeats, and Giannis laughs and says it's close enough.

That night Jason goes to bed giddy and breathless and dreams of Apollo.

~

The first time Jason realises he loves someone, truly loves them, other than his Mom that is, he's twelve. Just.

He and Bruce have been sailing for a week or so now, island hoping across the Aegean and the Cyclades. The sea breeze is just enough to keep away the mid-August heat and Jason is sure there isn't a more beautiful part of the world to be found.

Bruce has been promising something special for Jason's birthday. He's spent a lot of time on a ridiculous satellite phone (because there are zero bars in the middle of the sea) trying to sort whatever it is out. If he thinks too much about it, Jason's stomach flips with excitement, because what could possibly top all of this? Bruce is ridiculously rich, and just plain ridiculous, so it's probably a helicopter up to Mount Olympus or something totally crazy, which to be fair, would be beyond cool.

But when the night before his birthday Bruce comes to him looking forlorn, Jason is worried.

"I'm sorry Jay," Bruce says, and it looks like he's in physical pain for how sorry he is. "I really wanted to do something special for your birthday but it isn't going to work out."

"That's okay," Jason says, but before he can continue Bruce speaks again and says,

"I wanted to take you to Themyscira, and Diana thought she could get you in, but Hippolyta said no."

For the briefest of moments, Jason thinks he might be disappointed, but instead there's a rush in his chest and he laughs, head back and heart full. "Bruce, you big boob!" He says, shoving Bruce's arm. "Men aren't allowed on Themyscira."

Bruce slips his arm around Jason and pulls him in close for a hug. "Yeah, but you're just a little man, not a whole one. I thought they might make an exception."

"It would have been cool," Jason muses, from where his face is squashed against Bruce's chest. "But then I couldn't have spent my birthday with you."

Bruce makes a noise in his throat and hugs Jason a little tighter.

"Love you, B." Jason says, and it's the first time he's ever said it to anyone that wasn't his Mom.

Bruce grunts again, and hugs Jason even tighter. "Happy birthday, lad." He mumbles.

The air is warm, and the catamaran bobs lightly in the water. Waves lap at the hull and Jason grins.

He and Bruce sit and watch the stars together.

[girlsn0t]

a show of power - e/pic snz, p/oseidon

inspired by @stargazersnz's INCREDIBLE poseidon fics, go check them out!!

a show of power- amidst the peloponnesian conflicts, poseidon watches over the isthmus of corinth and begins to feel the strain of the war.

contains: non-graphic mess.

If Poseidon sees another Athenian ship in the Saronic Gulf, he’s going to drown the entire city.

This fight does not even involve Corinth directly. No, the aggressor is Apollo Karneios and his lot of warhounds in Sparta. Or perhaps his twin is to blame. Maybe Ares or Aphrodite- Poseidon does not keep track of which child claims dominion over which city-state. They all argue involvement in combat and push their patron cities to war. War! Poseidon is lord of the natural world, and these fools dirty his domain with their blood and sweat and weaponry. 

No, Poseidon has no interest in whatever Sparta and Athens are fighting over this time. But Corinth calls upon him endlessly. 

Poseidon I’sthmius, accept this offering of ox tallow and lead us to victory against the Athenians. Lord of the Tides, grant us safe passage through the ocean. He of the bright trident, steel our resolve and bless us with strength in abundance, so that we and our allies may defeat those stupid nerds in Athens. 

He is not so petty as to withhold blessings just because he does not care for mortal conflict broadly. But he will not deny that it is irritating and taxing.

He stands on the edge of the Isthmus now, gazing across the Saronic Gulf as an Athenian vessel bobs across the water. It is a single ship, likely scouting so it can report back to a larger fleet. Poseidon’s grip on his trident tightens. These oblivious, blundering fools likely think themselves safe. Perhaps they even think themselves clever, disguising their ship as a merchant vessel. But Poseidon knows exactly who dares tread in his domain. Perhaps these mortals…

“Nhh…hhhn!”

…need to be reminded…

“Hhh…hhuh…HUH-”

…of how much power and majesty…

“HHHEH’RRSHhhuh!” 

…the ocean holds.

Poseidon doubles forward at the waist, sneezing wetly. The spray from his mouth and nose mixes with airborne seawater, kicked up by waves crashing against the rocky shore. Sheets of black hair fall into his face, coming dangerously close to the pronounced, proud angles of his nose. A nose that is pitifully agitated, rubbed red at the base, twitching and quivering with need.

Yes, this war has been taxing indeed. Poseidon would not normally choose to appear as a mortal and simply linger upon the shore like some meandering fisherman, but this disguise has its benefits. Namely, maintaining his pride. He is loathe to let other denizens of his domain see him brought low by an illness.

The god grits his teeth and snarls at the ship as if it is personally to blame. He raises his trident and slams it against the rocks beneath him. The waves become more erratic.

It is such a small act of power, but Poseidon’s focus is immediately interrupted. His entire head feels like it is being ambushed by smarting winds and sea salt. His raw, aggravated sinuses are the primary target of this sensation, filled with a torturous itch he cannot possibly ignore. The god’s chest swells with jagged breaths and his nostrils flare. The sharp, statuesque angles of his face are entirely overtaken by an expression of agonizing, demanding, desperate nasal irritation. 

Sharp winds whip around Poseidon, and the sea becomes a mosaic of white foam and churning teal as waves break against each other. “HHEHH…HHHRR- HHHIH-! HHEEHH’SHH! IHH’RSSHHhu!” 

The Athenian vessel tilts uncertainly, but does not capsize. The sneezing spell has dominated Poseidon’s focus entirely. Each loud, vocal eruption is accompanied by a generous spray that is entirely uncovered. Snot drips from his nostrils as they crease and flare angrily. 

“Hhh’AHHSCHhh! AHH’DZSHhhheew!”

Finally, the storm in his sinuses relents. Poseidon blinks rapidly and scrubs at his traitorous nose. With his focus lost, the brewing typhoon settles, and the ship continues along its merry way.

Damn it all. Poseidon doesn’t have the energy to waste on a single scouting vessel. The god snorts gracelessly, scrubbing the heel of his hand against his dripping nose, and steps into the water. Perhaps he can find some isolated reef or bay to recuperate within. Then he’ll show those wretched Athenians what happens to foolish, entitled mortals who dare test the sea. 

[babiskavvadias]

Saronic Gulf, April 2024

[izzytheace]

Why I love my trans Theseus headcanon

The story of Theseus starts out with a boulder and a boy. He knew one thing about his father, and that he had put the boulder there to be pushed for a prize.

This boy pushes the boulder over and over until he gets it right, and he finds what he needs. He's told what he's done. He beat his father's game and knows that he's a prince of another kingdom! Up until he learns why he did it. His father wants an heir. He wants a strong boy.

He wants a man.

Even though he's proven himself and he learned his heritage and he has what he needs, he wants to prove himself again. He goes down the Saronic Gulf and he gets to where he needs to go. He proves himself again through a proposition given by his stepmom and his father's "real" son. He nearly dies through poisoning, and then his father recognizes him.

Even after a time of peace after everything. Even after he's recognized as Prince, he finds he needs to recognize himself as worthy and strong. He finds he needs to prove himself again. Once he hears of the Minotaur, he jumps at the opportunity. He needs to be worthy. He needs to be a man

He succeeds at the loss of his father. He is king. He is a man. On and on, every challenge he takes, every risk, every loss, he needs to be strong up to his death.

Then he dies.

Even now he's challenged. He rules the arena. He proves himself. He is king. He is always king. His failures are little. He is a man. He is a victor. He wins, because men are strong. His father wanted a strong man, right? His losses are a hit to his ego for more than one reason. Ultimately, deep down, he thinks this is all a distraction. In the end he can't trust himself

[captainkaltar]

Temple of Apollo, Aegina

Saronic Gulf, Greece

October 2022

[2seeitall]

Saronic beauty - Aegina, Greece

[julianworker]

Travels through History : The Peloponnese - Spetses

This is an excerpt from my forthcoming book called Travels through History : The Peloponnese. Spetses is the most western of the Saronic Gulf islands I visited. Spetses does not have an airport, so the only options are to get the ferry from the mainland port of Kosta on The Peloponnese or a hydrofoil from another of the Saronic Gulf islands or from Piraeus, depending on your itinerary.  The…