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Monday, April 9, 2018

Life in Greece ~ Running Away from Home

Sometimes these short changes of scenery are called ‘getaways’. Other times ‘road trips’.

Sometimes it is simply an act of ‘running away from home’ adult-style.

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Gerolimenas, Peloponnese Greece
Such was the 30-hour escape we had two weeks ago.

There was a break in the schedule of projects and chores at our Stone House on the Hill.  The weather continued to tease with spring then slap us back into winter with another storm. Seeds had been planted but not yet sprouted. We had a window of opportunity. . .

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The Stone House on the Hill, The Mani, Greece
And we had been remarking – well, truthfully, I may have snarling --  that we’d moved here as a base for travel and the furthest we’d gotten it seemed in recent weeks was to the hardware store in the neighboring village.

So on a Sunday morning when the fickle weather offered brilliant blue sky to the left and storm clouds to the right, we gathered a change of clothes, our hiking shoes (‘just in case’) put out extra cat food, locked our doors and headed out.

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"Our point" in the Peloponnese
The nice thing about the Peloponnese is that something of interest is never very far away. So an escape of 30 hours – as ours was – took us on a very satisfying getaway without much muss or fuss.

We first went south to Gerolimenas for an overnight stay (less than two hours drive time) then across the point and up the east coast next morning (leisurely drive took all morning). Lunch in Githio and back across the point and the trip was done by 3 p.m.

Our Destination: The Hotel Owned by the ‘People from Seattle’

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Kyrimi Bed and Breakfast, Gerolimenas, Greece
Yes, while many ‘back there’ think we’ve moved to the ends of the earth, there are a remarkable number of us “Puget Sound folks” in this area of the world.  Among them are Kostas and Linda Kyrimis of West Seattle, owners of the Kyrimi Bed and Breakfast, a small hotel overlooking the harbor in Geroliminas.

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We could have lived in this spacious room at Kyrimi

Our Kirkland, Washington friends who moved to Greece and live down the road from us, tipped us off to the hotel as they have have friends back in Kirkland, who are also friends of Kostas and Linda.

The old phrase ‘timing is everything’ came into play as we arrived as they were packing up and heading out for a flight to Seattle. We had a brief ‘small-world-isn’t-it visit’ and promised to reconnect either here or there later in the year.

We didn’t unpack the hiking shoes – instead, we settled in to storm-watch.

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Our deck at Kyrimi Bed and Breakfast, Gerolimenas
It was far too cold and blustery to enjoy our spacious deck so we huddled up inside, venturing out to have dinner next door at the Kyrimai Hotel, that is owned by a relative Alexandros Kyrimis. Both places offer spectacular views of the harbor and the sea.

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Kyrimai Hotel, Gerolimenas, Greece
The weather reminded us of winter storm watching on the Pacific Northwest coasts in Washington and Canada’s British Columbia.

Across the Point

The storm had heralded in a blanket of African sand that dimmed the horizon the next morning and our sightseeing was through a hazy sepia colored atmospheric lens.

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Off from Gerolimenas, heading south
Along the west coast a bit further south then over the southern end of the Taygetos Mountains to the east coast of ‘our’ point.

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Wild flowers brighten a wild-fire sticken area on the east coast 
Through small villages and past an area that had recently been ravaged by a wild fire. . .our blue sky obliterated by the sand.

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Gythio, on the east coast of our point
By the time we reached Gythio and our favorite restaurant, 90 Moires, the sand was beginning to drift so the day brightened considerable.  Following a quick stroll on the waterfront, we headed home – we had some chores to do, but by then were ready to do them!

But first we went to the car wash – Hi Ho Silver had gotten a bit dusted!

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African dust
We are off again this week on an island getaway. Our chores and projects again in hiatus.  We've never been to the island that seems a stone’s throw from the Peloponnese coast. We’ve been saying we needed to go – now it is time. Next week I’ll tell you about it. Our thanks for being with us and wishes for safe and happy travels!

For those who might be heading this way and want to know more about the hotel run by ‘those people from Seattle’, I am adding this photo: You can reach them in the U.S. by calling 206 938 3348.

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Contact information 

Linking up this week with:
Through My Lens
Our World Tuesday
Wordless Wednesday
Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday –  
Best of Weekend

39 comments:

  1. I love those small world stories and how interesting that Puget Sounds folks have found new homes in the Peloponnesse! Even though the weather wasn't very cooperative, it sounds like you enjoyed your getaway. Looking forward to reading about your island adventure.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and yes, it is amazing how many of us have ended up here. The island adventure was great, I just need to get it written up!

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  2. I thought you had gone to Greece all by your lonesome but you have a horde if Seattleites! Neither did I realize that African dust can obliterate your scenery and dirty up your car! Nonetheless, your running away from home was well worth it!

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    1. We've been surprised as we 'unearth' Americans living here either part- or full-time. Must be two dozen of us in this valley alone and then we meet folks like those who own hotels just down the road. African dust storms have been frequent here this year - and they are getting tedious! Thanks for stopping by Carol.

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  3. A road trip is always fun and it must feel great to put aside your Stone House chores for a day or so and meander about. It's always fun to meet up with folks from 'back home' and find out how you all ended up in another part of the world. And what a lovely B&B. But hey, did you follow the African sand or did it follow you? 🙂

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    1. The African sand is about to drive me up a wall. We've been here for several springs and never had this many continuing high wind and dust storms. . .and then they say there's no such thing as climate change!

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  4. We used to get the African sand in Malta, and we've gotten it here too :-). How wonderful it must have been to run away for a bit. Good thing you can leave the cat, no such luxury for us with the dogs..haha! Amazing that there are others from the States so close by.

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    1. It is pretty amazing to find such a circle of Seattleites in our nearby area. And we've had a couple more dust storms since our return a week ago -- yikes, enough already!

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  5. That hotel where you ate--Kyrimai Hotel--looks like its ground floor could flood really easily! I enjoyed reading about your weekend getaway and how the bad weather didn't spoil it for you entirely.

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    1. The waves were up over their dock from where visitors usually sunbath and jump into the water but the stone walls were keeping it from coming any further. I suspect in 'real storms' it could get wet there. Thanks for the visit Rachel!

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  6. What lovely getaway and your view of the storm was first class. There's nothing like watching waves crash on the shore when you a safe distance away. Sorry I haven't been around much. When I was in Seoul I was plagued by an eye infection (speaking of dust). That cleared up as soon as I arrived back in Canada, but seems to have been replaced by migraines. Test have revealed nothing (thankfully), so I have come to the conclusion it has something to do with low pressure systems. Seems like every time there is one I end up with a migraine. Thanks for linking up:) #TPThursday

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    1. I was just about to write you and see if all was well when I saw another pass on your TPThursday. . .hope this migraine thing gets cleared up soon! Thanks for the note - we'll have to Skype one of these days!

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  7. The seawall next to that hotel looks like it is hardly high enough to keep the storm waves out. Good you got out traveling. We are just starting into some renovation projects at our cabin home and our part-time condo in town. Probably should have done only one at a time. - Margy

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    1. Yes, having just finished a wave of such projects at one place, I can agree that one at a time might be a prudent way to go. Good to hear from you Margy!

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  8. Looks like the perfect place to run away to, sometimes you need a break even when you live in paradise

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    1. Yes, even paradise 'isn't' sometimes and a break of even a few hours is a good remedy! Thanks for stopping by, Michele.

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  9. Beautiful photos of a magical place. Those stone buildings are the best and speak of so much history. I am so glad they have been restored.

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    1. The Inner Mani, or Deep Mani, really is magical and we didn't appreciate it and its stark beauty enough when we first came here. We are now making up for lost time!

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  10. Even though your meeting was fleeting, it's nice that you did get to meet the folks from Kirkland! I know how consuming house projects can be and I'm so glad you had a chance to "run away."

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    1. Yes, it was a fun escape and also nice to meet up with folks who know and can relate to the two worlds in which we've lived. Thanks for stopping by, Irene.

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  11. How interesting about 'those people from Seattle'! I'm very familiar with Seattle because I spent much of my life just across the border in southwestern British Columbia. A drive to Seattle used to be fun before the I-5 became a slow-moving parking lot. (However, I have a different route and can bypass much of it when going down to watch our Toronto Blue Jays play baseball.) Now I am inspired to check out a map of Washington State as well as a map of your Peloponnese. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Kay
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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    1. We were almost 'neighbors' Kay as that trip between Kirkland and BC wasn't a long one. . .until the traffic got so horrid. Our last trip north was to a wedding and I swear we left early 'for the traffic' and still wondered if we were going to miss it!

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing your travels with us this week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/04/titanic-movie-costumes-on-display-at.html

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    1. And thanks to you for hosting the weekly link up! See you there again soon!!

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  13. I'm sorry the weather wasn't more cooperative , but away is away and hopefully this weeks island break you will be needing your hiking boots!
    Have fun.
    Wren x

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    1. Sometimes the best get-aways happen when the conditions aren't perfect. . .and this was one of them! Thanks for the visit. Hope to see you soon.

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  14. Sounds like a nice little break from the chores at home, even with the odd weather conditions. It's interesting that there are so many people from Seattle in the area! The B&B looks lovely. The picture of the wildflowers is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing at Best of the Weekend -- you're one of my features tomorrow night!

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    1. It is strange that the small world theory really is alive and well within a 50 mile radius of us! So pleased to be featured on Best of the Weekend!

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  15. How fun, and spontaneous. I do believe: once a storm-watcher, always a storm-watcher.

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    1. There is something magnificent about storms - no matter where they happen!

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  16. p.s. traveling to Karpathia in September:)

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    1. Oh, I think you will love it! Going anywhere else that might be in the Peloponnese and not far from us???

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  17. What a gorgeous destination! Thanks for sharing! I love Greece!

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    1. Kelleyn, I too love Greece. Thanks much for stopping by - I've got another destination for you in this week's post!

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  18. Wow -- you were right on the water, with waves crashing all around! Those 30-hour getaways can be a wonderful time to refresh and relax. Wonderful photos!

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    1. Thanks for your comments about the photos Sharon. And you are right - sometimes all it takes is 30 hours to feel like a new refreshed person!

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  19. That was a nice little trip with you guys. It was lovely seeing the seaside there. How lovely that you found some people from 'back home.'
    The B&B looks inviting. :)

    I'll be back next week to hear about the trip to the island. Have a good weekend, Jackie and Joel.

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