Missing your connection to Athens and spending an unexpected night in Bahrain is not such a bad thing. It's an authentic taste of the modern Middle East. The Persian Gulf island state's barren and sandy landscape is broken by a thriving city, the capital Manama, which juxtaposes skyscrapers with mosques. The population is split, too, with many in the constitutional monarchy now agitating and calling for fresh elections.
The picture above was taken in quieter times at a bazaar awash with colourful fabrics and spices. 
Like Bahrain, Greece is dealing with upheaval. There is certain to be years of deep social and economic issues as the country starts again after decades of mismanagement and corruption.
This picture was taken from the doorway of the tiny Brettos bar in Plaka, the ancient Athens suburb in the foothills of the Acropolis. Michael Brettos began producing ouzo, brandy and few liqueur flavours in 1909, making it the oldest distillery in Athens and the second oldest in Europe.
Only from a position like this can you appreciate the magnitude of the volcano that blew apart classical Thera, known today as Santorini. The broken up island, situated in the Aegean Sea, about 200 kilometres from Athens, exploded 3600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilisation. The centre filled to form a lagoon which some claim holds the secret city of Atlantis, first discussed by Plato about 360 BC. The lagoon is 12 x 7 kilometres and is surrounded by enormous sheer cliffs.
The other side of Santorini is more open, less steep and definitely less picturesque. However, along these roads family run eateries serve up fresh seafood and locally made wine, which has built up a resistance to conditions on the rocky volcanic outcrop.
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