[_] |~| monumental

one day you are at possibly the most famous place

that you saw in those reference books at the library
that you couldn't borrow

the surreal feeling

of seeing it in reality

a vast structure

and looking back at the sea
that you sailed on the day before

a fitting day to end to our time in Greece

back home 

I packed up my life

and moved into a rental house
my stay for a while
until I decide my next steps

oh and a new resident
this little kitten
was found under the bonnet of my mans van
when I was on the island of Astrous

so we named her Astro
when I was settled in my new home
she came to live happily with me
~~~~

^~^~^~ endless blue

how to challenge your fear of open water

take a 7 day sailing trip

around the Saronic Islands in the Aegean Sea

on a small boat

with 6 women and a male skipper

of course I was nervous

having never been on a boat smaller than a ferry

those fears melted away

as we visited islands everyday

docking at different a harbour

waking up to the sounds of sail masts

the bustle of water side life

then setting off to a bay for swimming

a new found love of being on the sea

sleeping to the sound of the water

lapping on the side of the boat 

and gazing at the changing shades of blue

each Island very different

like the ladies I travelled with

who were forgiving my quirks

and so very encouraging

as I dipped my shoulders under the Aegean water

sunrises/ sunsets

yoga, laughter, food food food

music, boats, dolphins,

flying fish, sea
our fantastic skipper Petros

and blue 

endless blue

again next year maybe?

https://room-2-breathe.com/weeks-in-greece

x

Islands & bays we visited ~~

Poros, Docos Bay, Hermione, Metoxi,

Tolo, Nafplion, Astrous, Zagoria, Spetses,

Hydra, Peloponese, Soupia, Aegina, Lagouses, Alimos

☀️ where the gods were

oh Kefalonia you beautiful island

                                                         blue sea  //   skies

                                                   green olives  //  canna lilies

                                             dusty hill walks   //   views

                        the smell of sage, wild thyme  //  the rustle of arondo

                                   the door to the church  //  ancient mosaics

delicious eats

and drinks!

walking past pastel homes

on our way to the Ionian Sea