Tarpon Springs, FLORIDA

Our RV Resort took a bus load of us from the grounds to Tarpon Springs for a day of enjoyment. When we got there we had an option of going on a narrated boat tour to see the sights of the gulf area, or a Trolley ride through the town and learn it's history, or shop the tourist strip and stop for dinner. We chose the latter. After going through the shops and only buying a tee shirt for our grandson and a bargain Florida sweatshirt for $6.99 for me, we decided to look for a restaurant . In the process of doing this, we ran into another couple with the same idea. So we ended up in Hellas Greek Restaurant with Ann and Bill who hail from Niagara Falls USA and previously from Germany. They were an interesting couple and fun to be with. We got the waiter to take a picture of us and then we left for the bakery side of Hellas and got baklava to take with us! I'd like to go back just to get more baklava! In the waters along this shopping strip, there were also boats that you could go out in to watch men dive for sponges that are found in abundance in these waters. The Gulf waters in this area north of Tampa Bay is one of the few areas of the world where the species of natural sponges are found. The natural sponge industry in Tarpon Springs dates from about 1890 when the first sponge fishing boats were launched. Sponges were retrieved by hooking until the technique of diving for them was introduced in 1905 by John Cocoris, an immagrant from Greece, where the practice of sponge diving was common. Within a few years many Greeks had arrived in the area to work the sponging industry, thus creating a Greek community. We also was a boat sunk on a sand bar and another steel hull sail boat being painted . We wonder what it will be used for. After getting back in our bus our driver took us to see the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church . He felt it was well worth the stop. And it was! It is beautiful and I will just show the pictures that we took and you can see for yourselves. This is the view from the rear of the sanctuary with views from left to right and a couple close-ups . The stained glass winddows were along both side walls and were outstanding with them beyond archways setting them off beautifully. The domed ceiling was absolutely beautiful and there was a mural painted on one wall. As the driver said, it was well worth the stop! See you again after our next excursion! Take care.