Do I Have To Leave?

This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive. - Alice Waters

Oh my, where to begin?!

It has been a whirlwind since I arrived in Greece. Going from such a slow and solitary environment into the hustle and bustle of high season in Greece was a jolt to my senses.

I landed in Athens on August 23rd and had a few days to tour and adjust to the crowds and the heat. Then friends arrived, and we enjoyed a proper girls’ trip!

Traveling in Greece is a learning experience. There is so much to do and see, and it’s impossible to do it all. If you’ve ever gone to Greece, you know what I mean. Everyone has a favorite island that they think should be on your itinerary. It’s hard to choose. Now that I’ve been to four different islands, I believe you cannot go wrong, but I now also have some favorites and a feel for at least the different vibes you can experience at various spots.

My girlfriends and I met in Athens and had a quick tour of the hot spots with a combo museum pass and a driver to get us to them quickly and give us history lessons between areas. Then we headed to Santorini, and, like Ken from Barbie, we made “beach” our job for the next three days, taking a break one afternoon to take a wine tour (“wine” is a good job, too). Afterward, we took another ferry to Crete and stayed in Chania’s old town. We enjoyed walking around and exploring as well as some shopping. One day, we booked a sailboat. I think this day was everyone’s favorite. We had an entertaining crew (father and son) who made the day luxurious with stops for swimming and a fantastic homemade Greek lunch.

Which brings me to food; the food in Greece has been my favorite. Everything was so fresh, and I couldn’t wait for the next meal. I’ve heard that Greek cuisine is good for you. I’m sure it is, but I’m also sure I ate too much!

It was a sad farewell in Chania. But I felt more myself and ready for another adventure after reconnecting with friends from home. After they left, I went on a hike through the Samaria Gorge, ending at a little seaside town. A nice swim in cool water was the perfect way to end a hike!

Next up, I had an invitation to meet my friend, Richard, from my Camino walk. He and his wife, Michelle, asked me to join them and some of their friends in Kastolorizo. I was very excited about this prospect. The island is tiny and hard to get to. I flew to Rhodes and explored their old town and the castle. Then, a ferry to Kastolorizo.

I now have a favorite island like everyone else. This place was very quaint. It’s so tiny that after dropping my bags in my adorable apartment when I went to get a drink at one of the bars on the boardwalk, the woman who runs that restaurant knew I must have just arrived on the ferry because she hadn’t seen me yet. We would see the same people when we signed up for excursions, like a ferry to Kas, Turkey (just a 15-minute ride) or a boat to explore the Blue Cave. After just three days on the island, I felt like I had found friends with Richard and his group, but also I had independently made friends with a group of women from Italy, a couple from Germany, and a man from Finland. It was just so fun; you’re living in a very small town with a pretty finite group of people, which brings me back to Richard, his wife Michelle, and their friends.

This group was so much larger than I had anticipated. Over 30 people had made the trek (most from Australia, some from Ireland, and a few from Germany) to celebrate a combination of Michelle’s birthday and their son’s 30th birthday. At first, I was very anxious that I was intruding. Still, they were all so warm and inviting, and as I heard their stories, I realized many of them had met Michelle or Richard on vacation in the past and, like me, had kept up with them. Many were meeting each other for the first time, having only traveled with Richard and Michelle. Others were friends from home; some were family. However, their overriding characteristic was a love for Richard, Michelle, and travel. They were full of stories and suggestions of where I might go next. This group of people has made traveling and holidays a priority over the years. Of course, the season of life (the majority were around 60) now allows them to do this even more often and for extended periods. 

And it goes without saying I cannot wait to see them again; they have convinced me that Australia must be in my future!