Enchanted at Plakaki Rocks

Everybody feels better. One last day for the four of us to adventure. Across the peninsula, Plakaki Rocks proves to be a sacred send-off.

The hike down is precarious, as it should be to protect such a breathtaking beach. Like I imagine landing on the moon might feel, we ascend to a white plateau and then traverse to an outcropping, the edge the world. I gaze out upon the most beautiful ocean I've ever seen.

The turquoise water is just that. Real pools of melted turquoise it seems. A gift from the land and sea.

We cliff jump. Snorkel. In and out of waves, spot eel and dive with more schools of bright and striking fish. The ocean takes care of us. Shelters us. Opens windows to a world so precious and alive.

Atop I meet a lovely girl from Italy. Grayson cliff jumps with a group of Greek and Italian guys. No language needed. Only laughs. Only smiles. Bridges crossed. Barriers broken.

I take one last float in that sea. That remarkable see the welcomed me for my birthday.

The birthplace of my grandparents across the Sea in Nemea.

Stathis, our host, tries desperately to contact the municipality in Nemea to help me search for birth, marriage, death records of my family. But nothing that far back. Destroyed by German bombings in WWII.

So with my family. My dear friends. I piece it back together on my own. Through my novel.
Through the ocean waves and every sunflower here on the island.

Greece, I am here.

My loves

Building bridges in the Ionian

Let me stay let me stay let me stay 

Akrotiri...a little paradise down the road

A few plans canceled. Sick days at Casa Dionne. The girl and I find a sweet little beach just down the road in Akrotiri. Mama and daughter snorkel days. Bright schools of fish, sea glass and mai tais! Plus, octopus #3 presents itself, yet decides he's too shy to come out to meet us today...stays hidden in a tiny, tiny crevasse. We watch a Greek grandma munching on limpets right from the sea (ew) yet natural and giving of this beautiful ocean.

I lie there, trying to soak in the beauty and peace I feel on Zakynthos. Trying to bottle it up and take it back with me so I can sip on this feeling to fill me up.

Stop for Greek donuts one last time (add a little vanilla ice cream this time!) Enjoy the quaint cafe atop the hill the ocean calling us down below.



Zakynthos, fill me up.

Aruba, Orange Peels and Iguanas

Excited to get off the ship and explore. We've planned a kayak/snorkel excursion for the afternoon, so we decide to cruise around the shore in the morning. The fine, white sand is heaven on my toes. I'm reminded of faraway images as a child- paradises that I dreamed up. Walking the curvature of the coastline brings me peace. Small, wooden boats bob in the gentle waves like a rainbow of floating lilies. Along the trees, we notice tiny green lizards scampering (and I mean scampering!) under the brush. Chasing each other--pumping arms in a territorial race? What kind are they? We find Papa's Beach Resort--a quaint little restaurant/bar right on the water. The Dutch women that work there are beautiful and friendly, and lounging on the sand with a drink in hand seems to be more perfect than anything I can think of.

Running back to meet our excursion bus (late, as usual!) We notice more lizards. But those minis have now become 3-foot long, spiny-back iguanas. And there everywhere! Munching on grass, crossing the pathways, climbing up trees and walls. Not bothered in the least that we gawk at them.

We kayak against the ocean current--warm sun on our back. The water temp is just right. Stopping at the mangroves, we get out to stretch, relax on the beach & eat oranges (and toss the peels onto the sand for the iguanas!) We snorkel off shore. Bristle stars (tickle on your hand,) huge sponges, fire coral (watch out for those white tips) and curious, long-bodied pipe and organ fish. It's an underwater paradise.

As the late afternoon sun sets, we kayak back into the bay where we started.

Being on the water all day soothes me. I'm still moving along with the current, the waves still rocking me through the day. And it feels amazing.

Thank you, David Engel for your awesome close-up photo of the spiky iguana!