Monthly Archives: July 2012

  • The Young & Restless!

    July 27, 2012

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    Nafplion, Greece…the difference a day makes! A relaxed beach day yesterday and today a hopping high energy day on the sand…My destination today is Karathona Beach, a short distance out of town…this is a weekend retreat for Athens residents as it’s only a 90 minute car ride away. The beach has pulsing music blaring, beautiful youthful Greeks playing in and out of the bath-like waters, and lots of posing & looking pretty as they drink and tan the day away!

    Backgammon, paddleball, and water-sports galore are on display! The electronica coming from the speakers unmistakably lets you know that you are somewhere in Europe. The rainbow of umbrellas packed tightly together creates a party like atmosphere along this long stretch of sand.

    I am trying not to look like too much of a troll as I take it all in! I make sure to keep my staring in check as I seem to have plopped down amongst a 20 year old crowd most likely born in the 90’s! Ouch!! Ohhh, to be young, tan, and without an ounce of fat! (whoops, I never really experienced that…)Today will either make me feel a bit younger & hip or older & leacherous! I am afraid the later of the two may prevail…

    In the meantime, I am gonna let myself pulse to the beat and enjoy all the scenery that’s in front of me on full display!

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  • Life Lessons!

    July 26, 2012

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    Pylos, Greece…the days are starting to blur! More amazing azure seas and a crystal clear sky over a quaint place I have never heard of! I headed to Gialova Beach on Navarino Bay today with no plans in mind. It was windy which kept the temperature from sweltering and made the seas choppy, bringing out all the windsurfing enthusiasts…I staked my claim under an umbrella and settled in for the afternoon.

    It was beautiful watching the brightly colored sails cutting across the brilliant blue waters. I took a dip and the slight chill of the salty water was refreshing…Today had no agenda, I just totally relaxed, worked on my tan, and downloaded some shows on the excellent WI FI at Zoe Resort beachside!

    I topped the afternoon off with a Greek lunch of Spicy Cheese Dip and Greek Salad…the tomatoes were so homegrown and sweet, yet the feta cheese was way more pungent than I have tasted so far; the combo was delicious! Eating out of what coulda been grandma’s dishes made it all feel that much more authentic! What else do you need?

    When I woke up this morning to Pylos, I looked out and said disappointingly; “another sleepy Greek town”…how unfair that statement was…It hit me today that we place too much expectation on destinations to entertain or wow us! It was exactly this sleepy slow paced simplicity that I coveted most about this place today. I live my life in the fast paced whirlwind of NYC…it has taken me till today, exactly 1 month to the day I left on this adventure, to really understand how to “chill”!

    I know how to travel; but maybe I am just starting to learn how to live!

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  • Sporty Fun!?!

    July 25, 2012

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    Ionian Sea, Greece…Water-sports afternoon! The ship’s water-sport marina opened today for some adrenaline charged fun…

    I know this is probably a bad idea! When did I become sporty? I am in Greece, so this is my ode to the Olympics! I just had to partake… So, I signed my life away and got my neon bracelet signaling I was allowed to indulge in the fun.

    Canoe? No! Wind sail? No! Paddleboat? No! Banana boat? No! Today’s stupid move is me (uncoordinated fashion designer and city boy) donut tube riding on the choppy open seas! We will refer to these moments as temporary insanity…

    I got nervous on the boat ride out to sea and I wasn’t even in the tube yet! I had been stripped of my glasses, my hat, my fashion accessories prior to getting on board this dingy! They strapped me in a fat life vest just to make me look extra cute…

    Luckily, I was second to go, my fellow passenger was up first! He clumsily got in the tube and then I watched him get thrown about like a rag doll! I keep telling myself that I am not chickening out! My turn comes and I sit in the tube and I felt secure as my ass was wedged into that thing…off we went and my legs went straight up in the air and I rode the whole way squealing with head in the water and feet in air clenching the handles thinking any minute I was flipping off!

    I made it!!! I stayed on!!! But my wrists are killing me!!! This coulda turned out very differently but I persevered and I did it!

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  • Being Neighborly!

    July 25, 2012

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    Argostoli, Greece…today I find myself in Kefalonia, an island in the Ionian Sea of Greece.

    I didn’t think I had much of a story to tell here, but as I walked along the waterfront I spotted a small fishing boat and a fisherman dangling over the side of his boat. Hmmm…A small crowd formed chanting “Rebecca, Rebecca”! Did someone fall overboard?

    Nope, it was just the neighborhood Sea Turtle that the fishermen in the area nicknamed Rebecca (doesn’t sound very Greek!) had come by for lunch of some leftover fish…so cute! The turtle would circle and then bob her head above the water so the fisherman would feed her a small fish that he couldn’t sell…

    Never know what your gonna encounter! I don’t know why but I started chanting Rebecca too, all the way back to port…I guess there is always a story to be told!

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  • Un-Orthodox Inspiration!

    July 24, 2012

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    Old Town Corfu, Greece..luckily we stayed in port late tonight…after a nice Greek dinner, a stroll thru Old Town was a welcome way to work off a few calories. The town starts hoping late, as Greeks eat dinner well after 10pm…

    Hearing the sounds of singing, I could see a little Orthodox church (the hieroglyphic Greek writing doesn’t allow me to make out the name) alive with people and glowing with plenty of candlelight. Inside, a choir was caroling some Greek songs as bearded men clad in heavy black robes looked on. The ornate tiny church housed a brilliant display of religious vestments that dated back over century. The sophisticated brocades, subtle metallic colors, and intricate trims held inspiration for something totally modern. I need to ponder this surprise fashion moment…

    Lighting a candle as we left, we took a final walk through the crescent moon lit town and bid goodbye to another enchanting port on this journey!

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  • The Accidental Tourist!

    July 24, 2012

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    Corfu, Greece…I was ready for a calm beach day at one of Corfu’s fabled beaches…the sky was a mix of sun & clouds, but the temp was a comfy 84 degrees and I hoped that rain would stay away for the afternoon.

    I made a deal with a local taxi driver to chauffeur us to an amazing beach for an afternoon of swimming and eating. I knew I had to be clear what I expected…NO TOURIST TRAPS! Well he emphatically suggested Paleokastritsa. Ok, we made the trek…pulling up to the beach, I see hordes of swimmers and a sandy stretch that was plastered with sunbathers and I knew I got EXACTLY what I DID NOT want! I protest and this charming Greek man assures us he has the perfect taverna for lunch….we arrive and I see a row of TOUR BUSES! OH NO! I turn into a bratty whiner and say I need him to take us elsewhere, I knew this was a place he probably gets a kick-back for bringing unsuspecting tourists! I was not about to be branded a willing participant to this game!

    Off to Glifada we go…winding thru the mountainside, he makes one hair pin turn after another. As soon as we start the corkscrew final descent to the beach I am green with motion sickness and start dry heaving in despair! Was this his way of getting back to me for being so difficult and spoiling his plans? Just as I think I am gonna loose it, we arrive and I sprint to the bathroom.

    Well this locale is a much nicer long stretch of sand beach dotted with umbrellas and snack spots. Feeling better, we settle at a local no-frills Taverna beachside and feast on a delicious homemade Greek lunch! Greek salad, Tzatziki, Pastichio, and Spinach pie is laid out on the cheesy “Welcome to Corfu” tablecloth. There is nothing like fresh Feta or the ever present taste of nutmeg in Greece! Total Bliss!

    Another reminder that the success of any excursion lies in you remaining in control of your own destiny…going with the flow is good but don’t be trapped by tourist ploys! Always strive for extraordinary adventures!20120724-145705.jpg20120724-145741.jpg20120724-145810.jpg20120724-145901.jpg

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  • Don’t mess with Mother Nature!

    July 24, 2012

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    Nature can be so mysterious & magical…thunder, lightening, threatening skies force you to appreciate the beauty and enormity of the environment around us!

    As evening came, we were sailing towards Greece and right through the most amazing electrical storms raining down from the heavens. Nature’s fireworks were on full display…the sky parted and streaks of light filled the horizon as we went from day to night. The seas remained calm as the clouds clamored with the loud thumps of thunder and lit up with an electric show of epic proportions. This was better than any special effects Hollywood can manufacture, this was an Oscar award worthy performance that came from a higher power!

    Storms can be menacing, but I couldn’t stop from staring at Mother Nature’s triumphant display on the open waters of the Adriatic! As the seas gently rocked me to sleep, I had a greater respect for what she can create and at the same time remained in awe of her brilliance!

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  • Going to Great Heights!

    July 23, 2012

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    Kotor, Montenegro…I am captivated by the setting of this place. It feels like it was carved out between limestone cliffs and mountain peaks. The hills rising above it are laden with lush greenery and ancient fortresses.

    Another walled city with Renaissance and Baroque influences, Old town Kotor is a perfect setting for the many cafes that line its streets…Huge umbrellas, misting fans, and comfortable loungers abound and the waiters are happy to let you spend the whole day relaxing and observing the many that come and go through the city gates. No pressure, just milk a drink slowly for hours, while staring out on the old stone buildings covered with shutters set against the rugged mountainside behind them. I loved all the Juliet balconies covered with plants, but one stood out with its cluster of hanging succulents. I am admire succulents and have many in my apartment, but I had no idea they could look so lush and hang so nicely…just another lightbulb moment!

    Outside the city walls, Yachts of all sizes come and go all day in and out of Kotor Bay. The bay is sheltered amongst the mammoth hillside and the deep dark blue color of the water is very different from what I have seen in it’s neighbors, Croatia or Greece!

    Even though many islands can be easily visited from here, my afternoon is happily spent planted cozily at a cafe. Just for this moment, I sat there feeling that time was just standing still and it felt so great!

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  • Power Shopper!

    July 23, 2012

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    Kotor, Montenegro…sunny skies greeted our early arrival today into this picturesque town nestled in the base of a gorgeous mountainside.

    I love getting inside perspectives of places from those in the know, so when the opportunity to set out with the ship’s chef into the local market presented itself, I thought this would be a fun intro into today’s port and it’s culture! Unfortunately, the early bird gets the worm and in order to have our pick of the liter, we had to set off very early on our expedition.

    Fresh tiny blueberries picked this morning on nearby hillsides, wild raspberries & plump blackberries in abundance…exceptional homemade olive oils being peddled by the woman who bottled them…robust fruit & veggies straight from remote village farms…cured meats with the animal’s hoof still attached all made for a taste of local flavor!

    Our South African chef assessed it all and bargained with the vendors as a crowd grew around him. It seemed the whole waterfront market was abuzz trying to get him to select their goods. We walked away with kilos of berries, some homemade cheese, and a type of local prosciutto that will all find their way into our lunch and dinner tonight! I always love a market, but getting to do it with an expert came with the added perk of a lot of taste testing of the fare on display. Yum!

    Now that’s called working for your dinner!

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