A Greek Love Affair

My final day in Corfu had arrived. I set my alarm to watch one last sunrise. It was very beautiful but not as spectacular as the first. The morning was cloudy and slightly overcast.

Perhaps Greece too, was feeling a little sad.

The clouds gradually drifted away and then the sun shone brightly as it had every morning since I arrived.

With everything packed except my bag for the day, I took once last look around at my ‘Perfect’ apartment and with a heavy heart removed my jacket from it’s home.

I dropped my suitcase off at Teo and Tina’s house and they asked me about my plans for the day. I told them I intended to visit ‘The Achilleon Palace’ and they gave directions to the shortcut through the ‘forest.’

I say ‘forest’ more like a lethal trek up a huge hill with trees, made only slightly easier by the foliage, which provided much needed shade. Each time I thought I’d reached the top, there was another bend!

If you have ever been in a Disneyland queue, it was very similar. Snaking around each corner feeling sure you are at the start of the ride, only to find there is another line and another. This felt exactly the same, just without the music and the mouse.

I eventually reached the top to be met with a winding track of uphill road. Not at anytime did it feel like a ‘shortcut!’

I was just beginning to think I was lost again, but as I turned the corner, I saw lots of parked cars and I guessed the Palace must be near (despite the distinct lack of signs).

Teo had mentioned the name of a cafe at the top which I then saw, and happily confirmed I was where I was meant to be.

I was however once again, a sweaty, knackered, mess. If I haven’t lost weight this holiday I will not be happy!

I paid my 10 euros and entered ‘The Achellion Palace’ I was so glad it was cool inside. I then queued for my audio guide.

Something Teo hadn’t told me, was that I needed ID to get one. My passport was of course, back at the ranch!

After I explained my predicament, the lady behind the counter said she would take a credit card as security. I then duly handed this over. She wrote my name and telephone number in a book (she did this with everyone) then joked she was off to go shopping! At least I hoped she was joking.

I absolutely loved ‘The Achellion Palace’ and I was really glad I’d left it to the last day, as it finished my love affair with Greece perfectly.

Fabulous!

It was absolutely stunning, as were the gardens.

The audio commentary was unintentionally hilarious in parts, this being due to the brutal translation in English of its history. This really made me laugh and I then walked around with a ridiculous grin on my face.

I finished my tour, handed back my audio guide and collected my credit card. I then stopped on my way back at the cafe. Coffee and ice cream, why not?

The view was breathtaking, so was the ice cream ‘Lemon and Biscuits!’

On my way back down I was met with a familiar terrifying sign, which I hadn’t noticed on the way up, mainly because I was struggling for breath.

I found the ‘forest’ trail and began my descent. This photo does not depict how steep it was.

I also saw Pegasus on the way, hiding his wings.

When I found my way back to the apartments I decided to spend my last hour at the beach. My beach, my beach at the bottom of the stairs.

My daughters and I, whenever we are sunbathing and wherever we are in the world, play the game ‘Hot Dogs or Legs?’ We then send each other a photo.

So it seemed apt to send my offering and final photo to them, at that moment.

The answer came back; 100% Hot Dogs 💗

I then said my goodbyes to the beach. I would be lying if I said I didn’t shed a tear. And then, for one final time, I climbed the 60 stairs.

I was greeted warmly at Teo and Tina’s house, offered coffee and asked if I would like to use their bathroom.

Then we sat and chatted, they asked if I had enjoyed my stay and we each shared stories about our lives. I learned that Teo was born in Thessaloniki and he thought that the Greeks in this area were not as friendly, not just to tourists but to himself too. So maybe I was right.

I discovered he liked ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and that Tina didn’t like big cities. We really did talk about all sorts of things!

My blogsite is entitled ‘A Joyful Connection’ we were three strangers, who did just that.

When I said goodbye to Tina, I hugged her, I did this because it felt right. Her response was to squeeze me very tightly, which made me incredibly emotional.

When Teo dropped me off at the airport we hugged too. Not once on the journey to the airport was there an awkward silence, we talked constantly, he telling me about his childhood.

The journey that I had previously worried so very much about.

My first ever solo holiday has come to an end and I am back in Blighty with it’s grey skies.

The current, sharp, memory of Greece that dwells within me will fade, but the feeling that I can and will do this again, will not.

The last photo I will share in this blog is the selfie I took that I previously said had captured a moment but really, it is more than that.

I have no make up on, I am not worried that it shows my wrinkles, or my double chin, because I’m far from perfect, but this holiday has been.

I think that this photo shows the joy in my eyes, the joy of someone, who at that moment, felt the love and the wonder of life!

I hope you have enjoyed reading my first ‘Joyful Connection’ as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you.

Joy

xxx