Island Paradise

It’s 3 weeks into my 5 week trip, and I am feeling great.  Thoughts of Dumb Boss have receded, and my main priority is making sure I find the best restaurants wherever I am so I don’t waste a single meal in this fabulous country.  Greek food is so clean and healthy (yeah, some of it’s deep fried, and there is a lot of cheese involved, but it makes you feel on top of the world).  Salads and grilled fish and meat are standard – makes you wonder what people who have the discipline to eat like that all the time feel like…maybe I should give it a shot instead of backsliding into take-away hell when I return.

I got a quick update from the office – Dumb Boss has apparently undertaken that he will not restructure the team by putting the lawyers into the business units if the team violently opposes it…we’ll see if he’s still singing that same song when I rock back into the office, all tanned and clear-minded.

Speaking of clear-minded, I did entertain the cheeky idea of resigning by a text message.  This manoeuvre would surely catapult me into legend status within the company, my industry…the world!  Luckily, sanity gripped hold of me (and the fact I didn’t have the idiot’s cell number) and I kept my trigger thumbs busy doing other things.

But, let me tell you about Greece!

I have been island hopping, starting on Keffalonia, the island of Captain Corelli fame.  I rented a car, and drove around most of the island on day 1, ending up in a tiny village on the west coast, called Assos.  It was magic – probably the defining experience of my trip.  The fabulous taverna on the tiny town square served up the most fabulous Greek home cooking, day after day.  Not to mention the BEST EVER eggplant dip, which I had religiously each day on the island.  To top it off, the plain accommodation was only 25 euros per night.  Magic.  I would go back in a second.

Then it was onto Sifnos, a lovely place in the Cycladic group.  Even though I arrived there on 26 September, the island had mostly shut down due to the tail end of the tourist season.  Met by a little bit of rain, but enjoyed it anyway – a quiet getaway.

Moved on to Paros, which seemed a lot busier at the first impression.  Stayed in a great fishing village called Naoussa, which was home to the best fish tavernas I have been to all trip.  I became the customer that sidled in each day asking “what is good today?” to be presented with a fabulous array of fish and salads from an overworked waiter.  The family that owns the restaurant has a number of caiques, which go out each day and bring the catch in for serving up at the restaurant.

Now, I am on Crete, the grand daddy of all the islands – its sheer size dwarfs all the others.  My first 3 nights were an indulgence: at the Blue Palace, the no 1 spa in Greece.  It was AB-SO-LUTE-LY SPECTACULAR I DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN.  If you are going to Crete, and can afford the price (trust me: the accommodation is dwarfed by the cost of the food), I highly recommend it.

Moving on to Chania, a gorgeous town with a Venetian Harbour, and massive charm.  Now I am in Rethymno (a little ordinary, but I have been spoiled) and move to Iraklio tomorrow to see the Palace of Knossos (read: old Minoan stuff, tarted up by a rich archaelogist dude) and then to fabulous, heavenly, spectacular Santorini for 5 nights.  Pray that the seas are calm – most of the ferry ride over here was a disturbing attempt not to feel any sicker than I needed to.  “Stare at the horizon” I repeated to myself as the crew member handed out the company-branded sick bags.  Oddly, when the pretty American blonde threw up across from me, I started feeling better…go explain that.