Traveling during a pandemic

 Because of COVID we had to put our passports to rest for a while.  We did this to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and those we have never met.  To come together for everyone.

But now people are starting to dust off their passports and travel again.  For some travel is a pleasure, for others it’s an escape.  But for a few of us the wider world is where we truly feel at home.

The USA

 

There are lots of wonderful things to say about the USA but one thing I don’t miss is how terribly divided our country is right now.  Politicians focus on how to attack the other side rather than what is good for the country as a whole.  It divides friends & families.  It also doesn’t go unnoticed by other countries we visit.  But you have to have hope.  A very wise man I know said you need to try to meet people half way and have a conversation about the things we can agree on.

Good bye to kids

 Fortunately out of all of the kids in the world I have the very best ones!

We had a week filled with fun, energy, laughs and fascinating thoughts & ideas.

Ps; get well Mike!

19 shades of blue

Why is the water so vibrant blue?  The water exchange with the Atlantic is very low which greatly limits the flow of nutrients to the sea.  The lack of nutrients leads to less algae making the Mediterranean clean and crystal clear.

They say there are 19 shades of blue in the Mediterranean, I believe it!

 

Greece - Crystal clear water at Balos bay

 

Travel opens your heart and broadens your mind…

Chania

We we had a great time in Chania yesterday.  Last night Alan & I put our feet up while my kids partied on like rock stars.  I guess that’s easier to do when you’re 30 and only have a week to get the most out of your holiday!

Today we’re climbing up to a castle and taking a boat to the famous Balo’s beach.

 

Line dancing - Greeks know how to have fun!

We went out to dinner last night at a restaurant with live Greek music and line dancing.  Everyone in the restaurant joined in the dancing, some knew the steps (others of us) learned on the fly. Greeks know how to enjoy life!

 

Greek life

 

My kids are embracing the Greek way of life…the food & wine, the sun and the sea. Tonight it’s Greek line dancing, there’s no slow in this group!

My Kiddos are here!

My kids are visiting us in Greece for a week!  I missed them so much!!  Lauren, me, Zack, Danielle & Alan.  Unfortunately Mike is recovering from back surgery and couldn’t make it.  We miss you Mike!
 

9/11

 20 years ago on 9/11 terrorists took the lives of over 3,000 Americans changing our sense of security forever.  We took the afternoon to visit the German Cemetery in Crete.  Just over 80 years ago, Germany invaded Crete during WWII.  The “Battle of Crete” left over 4,000 German soldiers dead and they are buried here.  Over 6,500 Crete citizens also died defending their island.  

Will humans ever learn?

Everywhere you go becomes a part of who you are

 

We have been traveling through Europe for 4 months now.  The plan was to spend a month in each of the countries we selected.  I am a big fan of VRBO/AirB&B’s rather than sterile hotel rooms.  We are temporarily living in someone else’s vacation home but we treat it like it’s ours. Why are we here a month?  It takes at least a week to feel acclimated to an area, the 2nd week we do lots of exploring but by the 3rd and 4th week we feel a part of the community.  We get to know some of the people here, find our favorite…bakery, coffee & restaurants .  We start to understand how people think here and we learn to understand why they live as they do. 

I begin to bond with the home we are in.  I always say; wherever I am traveling in the world is my home.  

I have my favorite reading spot (with HoneyToo close by).  When it’s almost time to leave it’s exciting to think about the next place we are going however I also feel a sadness in saying good bye.

Greece and the Sea

 

Greece has always had a special relationship to the sea.  There are over 2000 islands in Greece, 170 are inhabited.  There is no place in Greece that you are over 85 miles from the sea.  The great seas that surround Greece are directly linked to their wellbeing and their economy.  They provide fishing, transportation, tourism and a way of life.  They seem concerned about the health of the seas.  The prime minister wisely states; “the environmental problems we are about to face are not someone else’s concern, but our own”.

A little rain must fall

 

We had two full days of rain.  Summers are hot and dry here so it’s a welcome site to the locals.  Day one I read almost an entire book.  On the second day I found an umbrella and took my camera for a walk.  The air felt clean & fresh and every living thing seemed to be celebrating the rain.  It promises to be sunny and warm again tomorrow.

The Blue Zones

 

The Blue Zones is one of my favorite books.  It talks about areas of the world where people live much longer & healthier lives than anywhere else.  One of the places in the book is the island of Ikaria, Greece.  On average people in Greece live 10 years longer than the rest of Europe and the US.  Some of the reasons for this include; warm climates that provide access to fresh, healthy food, exercise that often includes walking steep hills, a close family network, low stress, clean air and a spirituality to name a few.  One more thing I found interesting about the book was that the Blue Zone areas did not seem to include many wealthy countries with access to the best health care?

Biking on the island

We went for a 4 hour bike ride a way from the coast.  There were hundreds of orchards filled with olives, oranges and limes.  The air smelled heavenly.

Tip of the day; don’t drink too much Raki

 

Raki (pronounced Rocky) is to Crete what Tequila is to Mexico.  It’s made with grape pomace & anise.  You will not be in Crete long before being offered Raki.  The Cretans drink it when greeting friends, when friends are leaving, before dinner, after dinner, on good days, on bad days and any other day… you get the idea.  It is considered rude to not offer someone Raki that is visiting your home.  We learned the key to drinking Raki is moderation.

Authentic Travel

 

Authentic Travel is a term I use often.  I googled it and it’s definitely not exclusive to me however the meaning is subjective.  My definition is to take a genuine interest in other people and their culture.  I’m curious and I like to talk to as many local people as I can.  I ask a lot of questions.  I slow down, listen carefully and respect their differences.  I try to remember names.  If I want people to be genuine I have to be genuine myself.  I try to be open minded.  Eat where the locals eat.  Read about their culture before I arrive.  Learn some basic language.  At the end of the day peoples hopes and dreams are more alike than they are different…..

we are all citizens of the world.

Day at the beach 🏖

You can’t beat a day at the beach!  The water is very warm in the Mediterranean in August.  It was a great day to relax and hang out.

 

Travel

 

      Traveling has a way of stretching your mind…

Olives - the pride of Crete

As I mentioned olive trees are everywhere here.  In fact there are over 30 million of them.  Their oldest tree is over 2000 years old.  Crete is one of the few islands in Greece that could survive on their olive industry alone (without tourism).  Every fall the olives are picked.  They put mesh material on the ground and rake the olives off the trees.  It’s a social event and keeps families connected.  In the fall the rich scents of the olives fills the air.  The best olive oil is extra virgin cold pressed meaning no heat or chemicals are used to extract the oil.  According to the locals ALL of their oil is extra virgin cold pressed!