The Colossus is Greece itself. Getting to know it is a little like these films where you see a toe and the camera gradually moves up to show a giant. Greece is very beautiful and its scenic variety between mainland and the countless islands is immense. The more you learn about it the more the panorama expands. Its ancient history has shaped much of the western world and probably much wider. But it is also a playground of great variety. Sun-kissed for much of the year you can idle with friends over wine, beer or coffee in unforgettable little coastal towns. The islands haunt you with their romance and variety. Or you may wish to visit some of the highest mountains of Europe near the Albanian border and look for miles across a snow-capped scene beside one of the three dragon lakes of Epirus. This book does not pretend to do more than lift the first veil of its many beauties and mysteries. In the mountain land of Zagoria in the north and the large islands of Rhodes and Crete in the eastern Mediterranean you find lands desired by Persians, Venetians, Romans and Ottomans but you also find people of irrepressible vitality, charm and creativity. I have greatly enjoyed the scenery and culture but I find the people enchant me at least as much. I hope this book can enable others for a little while to enjoy some of the unique pleasures I have tasted having Coffee with the Colossus.