The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.Blogger Tips and Tricks
This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Sunday, March 21, 2010

A sea of tranquility in Wakayama...[ 767 ]

The Mainichi Daily News

'Dolphin house' a sea of tranquility in Wakayama Prefecture

Norio Oki and wife Yoko are pictured in the living room of their
Norio Oki and wife Yoko are pictured in the living room of their "dolphin house" in Susami, Wakayama Prefecture. (Mainichi)

(Mainichi Japan) March 21, 2010

In the midst of the tranquil countryside in southern Kii Peninsula, there is a unique house in the shape of a giant dolphin. Owner Norio Oki, 68, and his wife Yoko, 65, have been living in the dolphin's belly for nearly eight years.

The couple, who used to live in an apartment complex in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, decided to move to a quiet rural area after Norio retired from his work, and started looking for an ideal place with the help of their close friends. In the summer of 2000, they chose a small town in Wakayama Prefecture for its warm climate and abundant nature.

"It feels as if we are living inside the stomach of a large dolphin, and it's really relaxing," the couple said.

It was nothing but a coincidence that the couple, who had never had any special feelings for dolphins, modeled their new residence after the animal.

The idea came up when the couple became acquainted with Akifumi Konishi, an architect based in northern Wakayama Prefecture at the time who is engaged in housing development in harmony with the natural environment. Among the unique models of houses Konishi had designed, the couple especially liked the one in the shape of a dolphin.

"At first glance I said 'Oh, this one's so adorable', and thought it would be lots of fun to live in a house like that," Yoko recalls.

Located in the small town of Susami, Wakayama Prefecture, the construction of the 40-meter-long "dolphin house" started in the spring of 2001 and was completed in December the same year at a total construction cost of some 26 million yen. The 132-square-meter flat wooden structure is supported by curved beams and pillars, which look just like the bones of dolphins.

The head part of the dolphin is used as a bedroom with a roof skylight, and the belly as a spacious living/dining room with a high ceiling. The entrance is located at its right fin, and the bathroom on the other side. There is even a tatami room next to the living room and a guest room at the tail fin. The roof and the exterior wall were painted grey to look like a dolphin.

In spring the Japanese bush warblers sing and in summer fireflies dance around the nearby Wabuka River.

"I'm glad that friends who visit us enjoy themselves here, too," said Norio.

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