No visit to the St Petersburg / Clearwater region would be complete without traveling to Greece…… at least the little bit of Greece called Tarpon Springs that is just a half hour north of Clearwater. Greek sponge divers came together a hundred years ago to form this fascinating community which developed into the world’s largest sponge industry. I took a cruise from the Sponge Docks on the Anclote River and watched as a young diver brought the valuable sponges to the surface from the depths below, using old- style diving suits. A massive and delicious Greek meal capped off the trip and a Tarpon Springs sponge now sites atop my bathtub at home.
