My Big Fat Florida Greek Vacation
Opa! Travel to Tarpon Springs, Florida for fast Greek immersion
Known as the Sponge Capital of the World – the area was already popular with Victorian era visitors when in 1905 the Greeks arrived. Mostly from the Dodecanese Islands– the divers were amazed at the riches brought from the nearby Gulf of Mexico, Anclote Key and Bailey’s Bluff.
As boats and crews arrived docks and warehouses were built and curious on-lookers arrived. Thus the tourism business was born and continued, through the serious decrease of sponging in the 1940’s and its revival 40 years later, and is still thriving.
Turn off Route 19A onto Dodecanese Boulevard and welcome to the dock area! Free parking is hard to find, but is available in small lots with pricing ranging $1.00 - $3.00.
At first glance – the atmosphere seems chaotic and a tad tacky. Shop after shop spills its wares onto the sidewalks. Bins filled with yellow natural sponges, racks of swaying T-shirts, Greek fisherman caps, flip-flops and thousands of postcards. Seeming decaying sponge boats line the water - but take a breath and slow down.
Give yourself over the to rhythm of the Greek music escaping the stores and restaurants. Revel in the Mediterranean lifestyle here. Old men gather in bakeries to talk and banter, dogs lie in the sun and friendly greetings, in two languages, are offered from passing locals and shop- keepers.
Never thought much about natural sponges? Learn more at the Spongeorama. A free museum and 30- minute video explains all. Further your education with a half-hour boat cruise from companies like the St. Nicholas Boat Line. The tour also includes a demonstration of sponge harvesting by a live diver in the traditional equipment. With a copper and brass diving helmet -nothing was lightweight!
Eat! A stop in a restaurant, like Hellas, offers the best in Greek cuisine. From saganaki to milopites you'll experience the Parthenon of good eats.
Olive oil – important in the cuisine, is also vital in personal upkeep. The oldest store on the docks “Getaguru” offers handmade olive oil soap with a variety of blends. Rose is good for dryness or aging, vanilla and orange aids in relaxing the skin while peppermint revives it. Whatever your epidermis needs olive oil can provide.
At the Sponge Exchange, once used for auctions, many descendants of the original divers now have shops and restaurants. Once again a feeling of genuine friendliness prevails.
Eat, shop and tour in hospitable surroundings – sounds like a perfect day in vacation land!
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