Tag Archives: older female traveller

Gate 75 – again!!!

Tuesday 9th April 2013

I didn’t think I would be  off on my big adventure so soon but here I am at Gate 75 of the Brisbane International Airport again not quite 12 months after my very first overseas holiday.  I have a couple of hours stop in Dubai and should arrive in London about 25 hours after I leave.

I have been so busy these last couple of weeks that I don’t think it’s really set in that this is it – I won’t be home for over six months. Pretty exciting stuff.

I even had a send-off group tonight – I think some of them were only there so they’d rate a mention in the blog  (just joking)- so, here you go guys! Emma, Jay and their children, Nikola, Jemmya and Isaac  were here as well as Barry and Carolyxn, and Travis.  It was lovely to have them here for hugs before I, left I’m guessing hugs will be in short supply for a while now!

Anyhow,  I’m off to be like a sardine for fifteen hours – see you next on the other side of the world!

4 Comments

Filed under Mid-life travel, Travel

Leaving Paros, but watch out Santorini

1st July 2012

It was a long way down

It was a long way down

Packing - or maybe just thinking about it

Packing – or maybe just thinking about it

Our last day on Paros and we spent half the time packing!! Poor old Kanales was hopping this morning with a full house of Greeks making the staff run around like crazy, it was actually peaceful to be in our little apartment trying to stuff pack everything in our suitcases. OMG I don’t know what we’re going to do by the time we leave Santorini. Apparently my face was priceless this morning at breakfast when I thought about how many steps there are in this place, the fact that reception is at the bottom, we’re at the very top and we have 2 extremely heavy suitcases plus assorted other crap.

Lunch time view from Taverna Glafkos, Naoussa

Lunch time view from Taverna Glafkos, Naoussa

Lunched at a place we stumbled upon one other day right on the beach. It’s quite surreal, you’re wandering around these little laneways and all of a sudden through an open door wow there’s the beach and ocean right there. So different to anywhere at home. It took a bit of finding again and we ended up at their back door but they were so gracious and friendly, welcoming us to traipse through the kitchen all smiles and no worries.  I had the best risotto ever and Sarah had a gorgeous bolognaise – neither of us really should have but we didn’t leave a thing on our plates. Then because of course that wasn’t enough the waitress bought out a couple of little ice-creams. I’d really, really like to say we said “no, no, we couldn’t possibly”, well actually we did say that but then we did eat them because she looked so crestfallen, hahaha!!

Didn't think about this when we were shopping

Didn’t think about this when we were shopping

Anyhow it was back to Kanales to face the big haul down the stairs with our luggage, which we did with just a couple of trips each, much laughter, stops for photo taking and crossed legs (because it was sooooo funny). When Kostas realised what we’d done he was terribly upset, gave us a lecture and wanted to know why we’d do such a thing instead of just calling on him to carry them down. He just couldn’t understand, but to tell the truth even though he carried it all up to the room it didn’t enter my head to ask him to bring it down, ooops. And the fact we were laughing fit to wet ourselves just made him shake his head at us more.

Well, that’s the end to another amazing phase of my holiday, it’s on to Santorini now but I really think I may have found my favourite place in the Greek Isles on Paros.

I’ve taken I think a gazillion photos of doors and building features since I’ve been away, here’s a cool little collection with a few from today’s fun and games, hope you enjoy them.

8 Comments

Filed under Greece, Mid-life travel, Travel

Naoussa on foot

30th June 2012

If yesterday was Paros by car then today has to be Naoussa on foot and oh boy did we help the Greek economy today.

Sarah found a handbag range she fell in love with and walked away with two new ones. The story goes that George and Gina were German climbers, they married and had Lucy. One day as they were climbing George died or was killed, I’m not sure which and some time after that Gina started the brand in his memory. Funnily enough it’s called George, Gina and Lucy.

Beaded clothes hanger from Paros

Beaded clothes hanger from Paros

Personally I think the story influenced her as much as the bags did. But then again – we found a store where every piece of clothing was on a hanger covered in multi coloured beads and I’d have to say my purchase there was heavily influenced by the fact that I’d end up with one of the hangers so I guess Sarah is no worse than I am. What did insult me was that she then asked the shopkeeper if she could just buy one of them and he gave it to her for nothing – the advantages of youth!!

Coincidence sure is a funny thing, I have not long ago heard about fish spa’s and today we stumbled on one here on Paros. The couple who own it were both there and had just recently fed their fish but said we were more than welcome to let our legs dangle and hopefully the fish would have a nibble!!

Paros Fish Spa

Paros Fish Spa

They were a totally enchanting couple, we talked with them for almost an hour and the fish did a little nibbling at our feet while we were chatting. It was so very interesting to hear about their life. He grew up on Paros and would like for them to live there all year round although at the moment they still spend half their year in Athens. They wouldn’t take any money from us when we eventually left and invited us to return later for another go because the fish weren’t very active.

Sarah's lunch!

Sarah’s lunch!

What a hard life – lunch by the water, more exploring around Naoussa then back to the hotel for swim, sunbake, siesta then drinks.  Sakis and Stellios were stressed this evening, a large group of Greeks had descended on them and were apparently quite a bit more demanding than we’d been. They’re still trying to get Sarah to go out with them, although I don’t like their chances. We made our usual trek back down town for dinner and amazingly found places we hadn’t seen before – I find it hard to believe with all the miles we’ve covered but there’s probably more still if we only knew. We did call back to our new mates at the fish spa and spent even more time sharing stories of our different homelands and ended up swapping email addresses, we also met their daughter and niece who were just as lovely .

Sakis and Stellios were winding down by the time we got back to the hotel and were in for another big chat – I feel like all I’ve done here is talk, eat and drink.

I’ll be a wee bit sad to leave tomorow, again I’ve had a fabulous time, met some really lovely people and discovered a little bit of paradise I think.

4 Comments

Filed under Greece, Mid-life travel, Travel

Our “topless” tour continues around Paros

29th July 2012

Lefkes, Paros

Lefkes, Paros

Our little topless car ride all over the island was great, some places we only did a quick drive-by but others we did explore, it’s a gorgeous little island.

After a few wrong turns we eventually ended up in Lefkes, another quaint little village in the hills with the unusual Church of the Holy Trinity. Sarah was behaving like a bogan tourist, running around on someone’s roof trying to find the best vantage point for a shot she was trying to take. Neither of us even realized it was a roof at first – clueless pair we at times.

Paros seems to be very much more a farming island than Mykonos, I’ve seen grape vines, either wheat or barley crops (I can never tell the difference), plenty of olive groves and even little patches of small vegetable crops. Lots more greenery than I expected. We enjoyed our picnic lunch overlooking the stretch of water between Paros and Antiparos, watching the wind surfers do their thing. It would be nice to go scuba diving around here too by the look of the water but that will have to go on the wish list for another time.

Kite surfing Paros

Kite surfing Paros

We went for a walk in Marpissa, taking photos of just about every door and building we passed and probably disturbing anyone trying to have a snooze during siesta time. Sarah kept telling me we would get lost but I was having too much fun to worry about it until she put her foot down and said we had to go back. Oops, we really were lost – no idea where we were in relation to the car or anything else for that matter. Needless to say we had different opinions of which way we should go. I didn’t really have a clue but she wasn’t seeing the funny side of things by this time so I thought I should at least offer an alternative. Finally we found a bar that was open but the guy there couldn’t understand us until Sarah showed him a picture of the old windmills where we’d parked the car – aha, lightbulb moment – and guess what – I was right about which way we should be going.

Probably didn't need quite this big a space

Probably didn’t need quite this big a space

We stopped in at just about every beach and village on the island but Sarah’s tolerance for sightseeing was exhausted by mid afternoon and the pool, bar and our room seemed like a good idea for a few hours. I’m sure I could easily become a fan of siesta time. As if we hadn’t had enough driving excitement for one day we were brave enough to head back to Parikia for dinner. Knowing I’d be driving back in the dark I’m totally surprised Sarah trusted me enough for that. I just love discovering how many ways I can be amused and entertained by simple things – like parallel parking the opposite way. It was strange even after I drove around until I found a spot that would probably fit at least 2 cars our size in before I attempted it.

Enjoying the sunset, Parikia

Enjoying the sunset, Parikia

Dinner was awesome tonight, perched right on the beach watching the sun go down with good food, wine and a couple of entertaining Greek waiters for good measure – what more could we ask for? Deep fried feta cheese balls and pizza won’t help the waistline but then it’s not every day you get to do this. Even though it’s happened everywhere since arriving in Greece, I still get blown away by the hospitality here, complimentary desert wine and fruit after dinner again tonight and no-one is ever in a hurry to kick you out the door.The drive back to Naoussa didn’t bring any dramas with it so bring on tomorrow I say.

2 Comments

Filed under Greece, Mid-life travel, Travel