Images: SL and PJ Overlooking Chrysopigi; SL at Faros; Octopi Drying for Lunch at our Taverna
We have reached that time when we must say goodbye to our Greek Isles. Tomorrow we leave for mainland Greece, and we will be in Italia by Sunday after an overnight ferry ride.
We have been asked as parents, what particular time of our children's lives we found the best. We have always answered – this one. We were over the moon at their birth – as I am sure Ali and Steve are at the moment: I can recall nothing but fun being with them as they grew up: Now, as adults, they are two of our closest friends. We have been truly blessed with each stage along the way.
In a strange way, the stages of our trip to Naxos, Milos and Sifnos have similarly been different, but exciting in each their own way.
We wrote that the sights and sounds of Naxos would be hard to beat – our hotel was great, we had a swimming pool, a kitchenette, a local village along the beach, and great weather after the first two days.
Milos was slower, quieter, more primitive. Our hosts spoke no English. We rented a scooter and explored some of the most exquisite scenery we have ever seen, swam at beaches that are world-renowned, and learned to catch our breath each time we turned a corner to see mountains ringed with ancient stone fences sloping gently down to the azure sea.
Sifnos is smaller still. Our balcony overlooks the mountains and the sea. We hike for miles every day and have stopped trying to convey to each other our wonder at the beauty of what we see. We worry that we will take this for granted, that we will forget the sense of wonder we experience each time we see a new landscape. We dine more slowly each night – watching the sunset, savouring the seafood and the wine, slowing down. S l o w i n g d o w n. Goodbye Sifnos. Goodbye Milos. Goodbye Naxos. Goodbye Grecia!!
We have been asked as parents, what particular time of our children's lives we found the best. We have always answered – this one. We were over the moon at their birth – as I am sure Ali and Steve are at the moment: I can recall nothing but fun being with them as they grew up: Now, as adults, they are two of our closest friends. We have been truly blessed with each stage along the way.
In a strange way, the stages of our trip to Naxos, Milos and Sifnos have similarly been different, but exciting in each their own way.
We wrote that the sights and sounds of Naxos would be hard to beat – our hotel was great, we had a swimming pool, a kitchenette, a local village along the beach, and great weather after the first two days.
Milos was slower, quieter, more primitive. Our hosts spoke no English. We rented a scooter and explored some of the most exquisite scenery we have ever seen, swam at beaches that are world-renowned, and learned to catch our breath each time we turned a corner to see mountains ringed with ancient stone fences sloping gently down to the azure sea.
Sifnos is smaller still. Our balcony overlooks the mountains and the sea. We hike for miles every day and have stopped trying to convey to each other our wonder at the beauty of what we see. We worry that we will take this for granted, that we will forget the sense of wonder we experience each time we see a new landscape. We dine more slowly each night – watching the sunset, savouring the seafood and the wine, slowing down. S l o w i n g d o w n. Goodbye Sifnos. Goodbye Milos. Goodbye Naxos. Goodbye Grecia!!
John Lubert for BEST BLOGGER! Wow, you are so good! Deb and I have been faithful followers and are enthralled by your posts. I just said to her, "Honey, I think we need to go to Greece." You are SUCH a good writer, my Brother...a many of many, many talents indeed. Travel safely, come home safely, continue to enjoy and savour each moment of your Grand Adventure -- we love you! - Sand xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou're very good at sucking in your gut for a picture, too!
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