The privilege of Travel. The kindness in faces of Greek women

Travel has always been a privilege not a luxury for me. The people I meet are the reason for travel. We are so fortunate to have experiences in another country. Our last overseas vacation was in spectacular Greece and the Greek Islands. 

Everywhere we travelled we were taken good care of. A smile, a hug, a free meal or drink, a warm conversation, the list goes on. Women are so endearing, especially in Greece. No matter what they do in life they are resilient, strong, open and supportive. And no matter where in the world one travels women are consistent the world over. Here are a few photos of these special women so far away from my home country Australia.



Me playing Greek in amazing Santorini

Be pampered with a smile



Creativity in Paros







A living has to be made



Anything you want we will cook it for you



Communication through a hug and smile



Island smiles and island warmth



Its how it is

Discovering Greek food via this talent

 



The Blue and the White

 

Mind Breath

Memories can be magical yet spasmodic, coming in brief irregular bursts. They will come at the inhalation of an aroma or a simple breeze brushing across your skin. When a sun sets into the sea, it is at this time we tend to ponder about past memories and sometimes things that make us well up in our eyes.

The pace of life can become threatening and tiring at times and we tend lose sight of the important things. Taking the time to step away from a project, or that television show or getting up and out of that armchair, to view a warm orange sunset will invigorate the mind.

But be quick, for once it decides it is setting, it will slink quickly into the sea or hide low behind a mountain and the moment will be lost forever. There will be others, and they will always be spectacular to some degree, but be mindful for once it is gone, it cannot be restored.

Go with it, get up from your desk if working back late and stand at the window, get out of that armchair and open the door, even if for a second, and just breathe.

By making the effort to step aside from what seems important at the time, to witness something so natural and breathtakingly beautiful, can conjure up many memories, thoughts and emotions. It is so basically good for the soul.

 It actually gives your mind a breather, a rest from all that life injects. Even the briefest of moments can give your headspace some rest and restoration. Oh a black Milo moment…

A warm orange sunset slinks into the Aegean Sea from Santorini to Paros Greece.



A golden sunset on the spiral at West Inlet, Island State of Tasmania

 

A black Milo moment

1983 was a particularly good year for dreaming. Maybe being 18 and having a girls night in watching a newly released summer movie had something to do with it. Yes, that was it. The beginning of travel dreaming.

The movie was 'Summer Lovers'. It changed my way of thinking, not because of the nature of the story line, but because of the way it portrayed a different world, a wide world of travel awaited. I can still remember how I felt watching it. It took me away mentally. I was lost in world of blue and white washed cave houses, bathed in sunlight, completely relaxed, exhilarated, free, and wrapped in magic.

And throughout all the years that passed from then on, I dreamed of it. As I ventured out of my teens, found love, married and became a mother, I still dreamed... of those perfect domed chapels, white washed cave houses, long summer evenings and Santorini in the Greek Islands.

Travel came in a blast. Travelling our home state of Tasmania, followed by much of wide spread Australia. As a family we ventured overseas to discover Thailand, island hopping, discovering and enjoying a wonderful new world. Vietnam beckoned and we discovered another world of beautiful people and extraordinary opportunities.

Our girls discovered travel with a vengeance, Mongolia, Malaysia, Fiji, New Zealand, UK, Spain, Belgium and Wales. Amazing stories, bold adventures and great experiences. But still I dreamed. Those white washed cave houses, warm summer evenings and long winding steps leading to amazing azure waters still beckoned me and always took me back to 1983.

Fast forward to 2013. Here she is sailing through the caldera, standing on the top of the Naxos ferry in a pair of light cotton shorts feeling like she is 18 again. Santorini with its white topped cliffs glistening like wedding cake icing, sunbeams warming her heart and tears streaming down her face. She looks at her husband and mouths 'Thank you'.

Santorini opened its magical arms and enveloped us like long lost friends. I should diverge to say, my husband has always known my passion from 1983, and he even watched the movie with me some 25 years after I had initially seen it. He appreciated my dream but could never really fully understand my desire for a place I had never been. But that day in 2013, gliding into the Caldera, he got it. Just like I had even before I had arrived. Santorini did its magic.

There is so much more to say, so much more to divulge but some things are so special, they deserve to be locked away in a private place for the luxury of resurrection at a future date with a hot black Milo. However, I can say, I am still dreaming, dreaming of those perfectly domed chapels, white washed cave houses, long summer evenings and Santorini in the Greek Islands.



Spectacular Oia, Santorini Greece



The icing on the Cake. Santorini, Greece