Cruel Summer
Another warm and sunny day greeted me for my 4th visit to Kefalonia on 21st August 14. This was the 3rd time this year, and my 4th visit overall. I felt extremely lucky. If I was worried that this visit may be an anti-climax as the last time here was perfection, I had nothing to fear.
The island appeared more beautiful, and somehow shimmered and shone more brightly than ever before. The summer brings out the best of the island and the flowers and fauna are stunning. This trip we uncovered more amazing sights, did more amazing things, and I realise that on this trip, our relationship developed to another level. It was going from strength to strength and it was apparent that this was all part of the big plan I had been waiting for.
Every single second and minute of my 2 weeks there was precious, and I wanted to make the most of my stay on the island. It sounds crazy, but my departure date was etched in my mind, and every day that passed meant that I was a day closer to going home. I tried to block this from my mind so I could relax and soak up every minute here. Days pass quickly when you are having fun. Adding to this tension was that he went to work every evening, so our time together was very limited. I wanted to wish the nights away while he was at work, but that meant wishing away my time on the island.
I was fortunate that during my visits, I was invited to stay with him at his home in Skala. The house is a two minute walk from Skala centre, and only a five minute pleasant stroll to the beautiful stretch of sandy and shingle beach, which in Skala centre is fronted by tall scented pine trees. The resort itself is low key, with a huge selection of tavernas, all of which are Greek, with the exception of an Italian restaurant and a couple of grill houses. There are a small selection of bars here which makes it lively of an evening, but not in a 'tacky' sense. Skala buzzes and is vibrant. The resort hosts a 'platia' or square. In July and August this place is crawling with local families and tourists, young and old alike. On some special occasions, there is entertainment in the square. Parents bring their children here most evenings and lots of socialising is done, up until quite late into the night.
As I mentioned, he works at a hotel every evening with no chance of a night off, so this meant I had to entertain myself every night. I am quite an outgoing person and luckily I make friends easily. So every night, armed with my I-pad (most bars offer free internet access) I would go and sit and have a drink somewhere or enjoy a meal. I have made friends with locals and ex-pats this way - Skala is very friendly, even for single travellers and I did not feel awkward sitting alone. The owners of Akri Bar on the corner of the road in to Skala always made me feel welcome as did most of their staff, and there was always someone to come and chat to me as well as serving up delicious cocktails. I still have not tried all of them on the menu there. Jenny and Gerry are great hosts, not to mention Sakis the bar man. Between them, they all recognised me when I visited and made me feel not only a valued customer but a good friend. There are many good restaurants too in Skala, some of my favourites include Aquarius, Ta Pitharia and Old Times. The staff here also made me feel welcome when dining alone, and the food is very good.
During our 2 weeks, we visited beaches and saw more sights, I will give more details in the blog later of what we did and how we got on. However, the 2 weeks were soon up and I only had a couple of more days before I was due to return. Back in the UK, I had been offered a chance of another job. I was feeling a bit fed up in my current role, and had used nearly all of my holiday allowance. This thought panicked me, as I don't think I could have waited until November to see him again, as we had talked about him visiting the UK to come and see me when work was over. So, I did something crazy. I quit my job! I contacted the other company to say that I would start working for them when I am back in the UK. I changed my flights and it meant I had another 2 weeks of paradise to look forward to in Kefalonia. A total of 4 weeks.
I was not worried about money, not because I had lots, but I could manage. I think Kefalonia has ways of keeping the people there that it wants and likes, the island has its own aura and energy, and I am not the only one to feel this. Infact, I believe this more and more every day. I am quite a spiritual person and believe that everything happens for a reason. Yes, I was scared that I was leaving a comfortable and well paid job, but I had accepted the offer at another employer, and would give me something to focus my time on when I returned home for a few weeks. I was due to come back to Kefallinia on 8th October. This visit would be during the winter period, so I would get a chance to see the island at its low ebb. I could not wait for this, and to see the island at its quietest and maybe its most beautiful.
Meanwhile, during my extended and unplanned stay, I was making more friends on the island, I ventured out in the car and was beginning to enjoy driving on the opposite side of the road, I felt like a local! I was running every other day and was starting to build up a picture of what life could really be like in Kefallinia. I started to look at potential work on the island and what I needed to do to live here permanently. We had discussed me going to stay in Skala for the summer next year. All sorts of things were going through my mind. I lined up a meeting with the Manager of a very beautiful hotel, and also spoke to a tour operator on the island about working there next season. I was in a position where I had options of what I could do, I was very excited indeed! Kefalonia life was calling louder and louder.
The island appeared more beautiful, and somehow shimmered and shone more brightly than ever before. The summer brings out the best of the island and the flowers and fauna are stunning. This trip we uncovered more amazing sights, did more amazing things, and I realise that on this trip, our relationship developed to another level. It was going from strength to strength and it was apparent that this was all part of the big plan I had been waiting for.
Every single second and minute of my 2 weeks there was precious, and I wanted to make the most of my stay on the island. It sounds crazy, but my departure date was etched in my mind, and every day that passed meant that I was a day closer to going home. I tried to block this from my mind so I could relax and soak up every minute here. Days pass quickly when you are having fun. Adding to this tension was that he went to work every evening, so our time together was very limited. I wanted to wish the nights away while he was at work, but that meant wishing away my time on the island.
I was fortunate that during my visits, I was invited to stay with him at his home in Skala. The house is a two minute walk from Skala centre, and only a five minute pleasant stroll to the beautiful stretch of sandy and shingle beach, which in Skala centre is fronted by tall scented pine trees. The resort itself is low key, with a huge selection of tavernas, all of which are Greek, with the exception of an Italian restaurant and a couple of grill houses. There are a small selection of bars here which makes it lively of an evening, but not in a 'tacky' sense. Skala buzzes and is vibrant. The resort hosts a 'platia' or square. In July and August this place is crawling with local families and tourists, young and old alike. On some special occasions, there is entertainment in the square. Parents bring their children here most evenings and lots of socialising is done, up until quite late into the night.
As I mentioned, he works at a hotel every evening with no chance of a night off, so this meant I had to entertain myself every night. I am quite an outgoing person and luckily I make friends easily. So every night, armed with my I-pad (most bars offer free internet access) I would go and sit and have a drink somewhere or enjoy a meal. I have made friends with locals and ex-pats this way - Skala is very friendly, even for single travellers and I did not feel awkward sitting alone. The owners of Akri Bar on the corner of the road in to Skala always made me feel welcome as did most of their staff, and there was always someone to come and chat to me as well as serving up delicious cocktails. I still have not tried all of them on the menu there. Jenny and Gerry are great hosts, not to mention Sakis the bar man. Between them, they all recognised me when I visited and made me feel not only a valued customer but a good friend. There are many good restaurants too in Skala, some of my favourites include Aquarius, Ta Pitharia and Old Times. The staff here also made me feel welcome when dining alone, and the food is very good.
During our 2 weeks, we visited beaches and saw more sights, I will give more details in the blog later of what we did and how we got on. However, the 2 weeks were soon up and I only had a couple of more days before I was due to return. Back in the UK, I had been offered a chance of another job. I was feeling a bit fed up in my current role, and had used nearly all of my holiday allowance. This thought panicked me, as I don't think I could have waited until November to see him again, as we had talked about him visiting the UK to come and see me when work was over. So, I did something crazy. I quit my job! I contacted the other company to say that I would start working for them when I am back in the UK. I changed my flights and it meant I had another 2 weeks of paradise to look forward to in Kefalonia. A total of 4 weeks.
I was not worried about money, not because I had lots, but I could manage. I think Kefalonia has ways of keeping the people there that it wants and likes, the island has its own aura and energy, and I am not the only one to feel this. Infact, I believe this more and more every day. I am quite a spiritual person and believe that everything happens for a reason. Yes, I was scared that I was leaving a comfortable and well paid job, but I had accepted the offer at another employer, and would give me something to focus my time on when I returned home for a few weeks. I was due to come back to Kefallinia on 8th October. This visit would be during the winter period, so I would get a chance to see the island at its low ebb. I could not wait for this, and to see the island at its quietest and maybe its most beautiful.
Meanwhile, during my extended and unplanned stay, I was making more friends on the island, I ventured out in the car and was beginning to enjoy driving on the opposite side of the road, I felt like a local! I was running every other day and was starting to build up a picture of what life could really be like in Kefallinia. I started to look at potential work on the island and what I needed to do to live here permanently. We had discussed me going to stay in Skala for the summer next year. All sorts of things were going through my mind. I lined up a meeting with the Manager of a very beautiful hotel, and also spoke to a tour operator on the island about working there next season. I was in a position where I had options of what I could do, I was very excited indeed! Kefalonia life was calling louder and louder.
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| My Favorite View from the Top of Mount Ainos, Kefalonia |
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