Greece - CHECK!

Visiting Greece and seeing its wonderful landscape and ancient historical sites first became a lifelong dream for me during a grade 10 history class.  The name of the class was Ancient Civilizations and I found it fascinating learning all about the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Sumarians, Mesopotamians and a whole host of other groups who helped shape the world we know today.  It started with finding Lucy, an Australopithecus Afarensis (basically the remains or much of them of the 1st upright humanoid) and ended around the Feudal times - I was hooked.  Now several of those ancient civilizations and their old cities and historical sites are now on my list of must sees.


Honeybunny and I decided to head to Greece for our first official vacation together and spent MANY hours online planning, checking prices and finding hotels.  After much anticipation, we met each other at Athens Airport (aka Eleftherios Venezelos International Airport) near the end of March and with packs on our backs we headed into the city of Athens on the metro.  It was about a 40 minute ride but we were dropped at Monostiraki Station which was only a couple of minutes walking to our hotel.  We stayed at Athens Center Square hotel.  It was a small hotel but very nice and affordable.  The one drawback was the overwhelming odor of the fruit market outside of the hotel.  The smell didn't get inside the hotel so it didn't ruin our visit in the least other than when we were entering and leaving.


We spent our two days there wandering through Plaka, looking in shops and stalls at the flea market and eating in small, outdoor cafes.  The people were so friendly and we learned that in Plaka the price is never the price...there's always room to negotiate at the stalls.


We took time to visit the Acropolis as well and it was fantastic!  The view of the city sparked a question I heard from my beau many times that day...What do all these people DO for a living??


I'm sure Honeybunny thought I was crazy but I became very overwhelmed while I was there.  When I stood there and thought about how long those structures have been standing there and all of the great Greek minds who may have walked on the same ground that I was now treading on.  Those thoughts and the realization that I was standing in a place that I had begun to believe I would never get to, was all just a bit much for me.  For those of you who know me very well...you know that the tears don't need too much encouragement to come welling up and sliding down.  Honeybunny, being the great guy he is recognized what was going on and started to tell a few little jokes to bring me back to normal. (I know...I'm a few sandwiches short of a picnic...)


At one of the restaurants we visited we were given a light dessert of Greek-style yoghurt with pieces of peach mixed in and honey drizzled over top.  It was quite tasty and we'll have to find the right yoghurt at home if we hope to try to duplicate it.  Another restaurant we visited was the Hard Rock Cafe.  Since Honeybunny had never been there, I decided to indulge him in the experience.  The meal was decent but like all HRC's a bit pricey.  In memory of the occasion though we did break down and buy t-shirts.


On the way home from dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe on the second night, we fell victim to pickpocketers.  Everyone we've spoken to seems to have had this happen to them in Athens and other large cities in Europe and I can easily see why we were targeted.  We looked the part of tourists.  Luckily nothing irreplaceable was taken like our passports or other types of ID - just a bit of money and a smartphone.


Day 3 saw us jetting off the the mountainous island of Crete and a very luxurious accommodation.  We chose a beautiful, small hotel in a small Cretan village about an hour and a half from the airport.  This allowed for lots of time to appreciate the rugged coastline and hills.  Most of the way to the hotel, the road followed the north coast.  We stopped for pictures and snacks and to listen to the goats...you could hear their bleating and their bells but you for sure couldn't see them.


En route, we detoured to the CretAquarium where we toured the exhibit and saw many strange fish and sea life common to the Mediterranean area.  The ugliest thing we saw in my opinion was the slipper lobster.  I took lots of video because I think you need to see how the fish move to appreciate them.  There were sharks, turtles and many brightly coloured fish.  It was interesting to look in a tank and to see what you could see.  I had always thought aquariums were kind of dull (never having been to one before this trip) but now I have a new found appreciation.


On arrival at our villa in Argiroupoli, we were blown away.  There was a full kitchen, a jacuzzi tub in the bedroom and a fireplace.  It was definitely a very romantic place.  The grounds surrounding the villa were not quite spring ready yet but we could tell it would be beautiful.


Since we had a full kitchen, we decided to venture out to the local market and gather some provisions for supper and take a quick look around.  The market was quaint and had lots of things to choose from including fresh fruits and veggies, deli meats and cheeses, as well as frozen food, household items and liquor.  We enjoyed a modest dinner of grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches and a drink in front of a roaring fire.


Every morning, the older Cretan couple who take care of the villas and their residents brought us a superb breakfast which consisted of eggs or omelets, grilled sandwiches, spanakopita, phyllo cheese triangles, a tray with meat and cheeses, fresh sliced bread, fresh fruit, and even chocolate filled crepes - YUM


We spent 1 day walking around the village and seeing what life is like there and taking more pictures of mountains and trees than we can count.  The next day we drove through the mountains to the south coast and a town called Plakias.  Along the way we saw lots of goats and were almost stampeded by a flock of sheepies (so cute).  We walked along the boardwalk and admired the Mediterranean Sea.  A great little lunch was served in a beachside restaurant.  We enjoyed saganaki, french fries, cretan sausage and spaghetti bolognese in the company of the friendly proprietor and a kitty cat who, alternately,  begged for attention from the side of our table and chased birds on the beach.  That's the life of Riley for sure!

We spent the next day in airports all day, first on Crete then in Athens and finally landing in Santorini around 4pm after which we made our way to our hotel in Imerovigli (about a 20 minute walk - UPHILL from Fira).  Shine Hotel was set into the cliffs facing the caldera.  What a spectacular view!!  Since we arrived in the evening our first order of business was dinner.  We asked our host for a recommendation and ended up in our favorite restaurant of the entire trip - Naoussa.  It was a traditional family style Greek restaurant, simply furnished with delicious food.  The staff were super friendly and genuinely interested in us, where we came from and what we've seen and plan to see.  Afterward, the 20-minute walk back up the hill to the hotel seemed a bit harsh (it might have to do with the 3/4 litres of wine and lemoncello I had a dinner) but we made it...


Our first full day on Santorini dawned overcast, so we walked back down to Fira and walked around town taking lots of pictures and doing a little shopping.  We spent some time in a great souvenir shop where the owner made his own backgammon boards and chess boards.  He also had chess pieces that were various Greek Gods and Godesses.  That day I wished I played backgammon or chess so I'd have a great reason to buy one.  Honeybunny and I scoped out all the souvenirs we wanted to buy and went back later and spent our money on some souvenirs, mugs, and clothing.


Dinner that night was at a nice little Italian restaurant with terrific food.  The veal marsala was delish, but while it was nice and the food was great, it just wasn't our restaurant...We missed Naoussa.

Day 2 in Santorini took us to Oia (pronounced ee-a) which is a must see for anyone who goes to Santorini.  Oia is a quaint little village built into a cliff.  I'm told the sunset is spectacular (unfortunately we didn't see it as we were there in the morning).  Most of the village was preparing for the Easter holiday which tends to be the start of tourist season for most of Greece so the shops and restaurants were busy being painted and officially opened.

We ventured into a small Greek Orthodox church while we were in Oia as well.  Everything inside was gold, we were in awe.  Honeybunny said it was the first time he was ever impressed by viewing the inside of a church.


After touring Oia in the morning and having lunch, we took the bus back to Fira and roamed around some more.  The view draws you to the edge of the cliff every time you are near by.  On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a supermarket/bakery/convenience store that had homemade baklava.  Of course we purchased some and tried it when we finally got back to the room.

Did I mention that our room had a 2 person hot tub on the balcony?  We spent a little time relaxing in it during the afternoon before deciding to go back to Naoussa for dinner.  We were welcomed with open arms...The hostess remembered us from the 1st night.  She recommended great dishes, we met the chef (twice) and were even given some free items.  I would definitely tell anyone I know to find this restaurant if they ever find themselves in Fira.  We can't wait to go back and eat there again.  I know it will be just like we're family they haven't seen in a while.

The next day, we headed back to Athens for our last night.  We had booked into the Sofitel hotel, a 5 star luxury hotel, located at the airport in Athens.  We did this so we didn't have to get up early or go very far to check in (about 50 meters to be exact).  We had a wonderful surprise when we checked in...free upgrade!  cha-ching!  

We had dinner at the restaurant in the hotel but I didn't find that there was a large choice in options and it was expensive for what we received.  We went to the departures terminal for dessert.  We got a selection of mini desserts to share and took them back to the room while we relaxed for the evening.

The next day it was back to the airport fly home to our own cities.  It was sad and I know I sure didn't want to see him go.  As soon as we both got home, we started planning our next trip...Thailand at Christmas!

What's My Dream?

This week I was sent an email by a family friend.  It was entitled 45 Lessons Life Taught Me and written by a 90-year old woman named Regina Brett.  While several of the entries struck a cord there was one entry in particular that stayed with me after I read it.  Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

I try not to have regrets or dwell in the past but when I look back at the last 10 years I realize that is exactly what I have been doing.  I've wondered how I made the mistakes I have and what could I have done to  avoid them.  I think about what I could have done to make my life turn out the way I thought it was supposed to.  I've asked myself why some relationships haven't worked out and why was I alone when I so desperately wanted to share my life with someone.


I know it may sound a bit depressing but I learned a lot about myself during that time.  I never learned how to be myself in a relationship.  I held on to old hurts and old loves.  I've been jealous and insecure.  I learned I have a hard time saying no to things I don't want to do when people I love ask me to do them.  I dislike confrontation.  Most of these are things that I want to change so when I read that entry, everything became clear.  Let go of the past, the hurts, the sorrows but remember the lessons learned from them.  Move on and live the life that makes me happy.  Be secure, learn to say no when it matters, learn to deal with confrontation, and most of BE MYSELF.


At Christmas, I was given a book entitled 2 Do Before I Die by Michael Ogden and Chris Day.  It is a compilation of stories from people about accomplishing lifelong goals whether they be visiting a place never seen before, learning a new skill, or doing something everyone else thinks is foolish.  This is what prompted my own bucket list.


The first 20 things came pretty easily, most were to do with places I wanted to see in the world and a couple of experiences I wanted to have.  I was even able to cross a couple of things off the list.


My list includes: live in a foreign country, take a vacation that doesn't involve visiting someone, write a novel, get published, learn to sing well, find the person I can't live without.


What does your list include?  I'd love to know what you all dream about.  Send me your dreams...


Til next time....read it, follow it, comment on it, forward it, LOVE IT...and come back for more!

Life's Moments

We've all heard the expression, "Life changes at the drop of a dime."  And we all think we know what that means but the thing about expressions is that you never fully understand them until they apply to you.  Until you have that moment that you go, "Hunh!  So that's what that's all about."

For me that moment was a little over a year ago.  That was when I realized I wasn't going to be around forever, I didn't have all the time in the world, and I had better get started living my life instead of waiting until I could afford that trip I wanted to take or until I met a great guy, or until I had the perfect story all written in my head before I ever set paper to pencil to write it.

I started to examine and question my life in December 2009.  I know it might seem an odd time of year to start questioning life, but January 1st is a time of renewal and resolutions so to me it seemed as good a time as any.

Two things happened in December 2009, first my grandmother passed away after a very short illness and a week later my father had emergency surgery.  (He's fine now.)  Had these events happened separately, there  probably wouldn't have been any effect.

My Grandmother was always someone I could talk to about anything, especially when I was a teenager and I thought my parents wouldn't understand.  She was always cool no matter what I told her or asked her about.  And she, of course, had some outrageous stories from her youth and questions of her own.

My parents are the people I still turn to for guidance, even after all these years.  A car repair, money questions or problems, career advice, all things that were discussed around the table or over the phone.  Then, of course, there is dad's unfailing way of giving his two cents worth (and a lecture to go with it) even when no one asked for it.  These were the things I had come to rely on in my 35 years.

That cold December day, sitting in the waiting room, waiting for news of my dad's surgery, I had a lot of time for thinking about how short life really is.  I realized I had been living in the past for far too long, dwelling on the failures in my life instead of enjoying the successes.

That was the day I decided life is too short to worry about what I can't change and to put off until the right time all the things I wanted to accomplish in life.  That life lesson was a long time coming, but now that I have learned it, I am embracing life.  I am compiling my list of goals, a bucket list if you will.  That is what this blog is about.  For me it is a motivation to find ways of accomplish the things I have always wanted to but was either too afraid, too busy or not financially sound enough to do.

The beginning of my list will be included in my next installment of this blog.  My hope is that my friends, relatives and even strangers who stumble on this blog will be inspired to start their own bucket list and start crossing things off.  Believe me there is an immense sense of happiness and fulfillment when you do finally cross something off!

Til next time....read it, follow it, comment on it, forward it, LOVE IT...and come back for more!