Farewell Europe.. East we go!

Athens - Chios Island - Denizli - Side - Kumluca

Deciding where to go next was a little bit of a dilemma. Crete? Turkey? Ikaria? So many places we want to go to, but where is it that we are suppose to go?

So we just let the universe decide for us and Turkey it was. 

We left Athens after dark and spent the night in the ferry where we made a little room underneath the stairwell. We arrived in Chios Island early in the morning and decided to spend the night and rent a car to cruise around the south side of the island. We discovered fields of red tulips that were blooming only for 2 weeks every year. We gathered some mastic gums from mastic trees that grows everywhere by the side of the road. We also discovered some interesting medieval towns that was decorated with flower of life patterns. 

Chios town from the harbour

Going through the narrow roads on Chios Island

Beautiful red tulips welcoming us in Chios Island

Spending some time with some goats on the side of the beach

Mats collecting stones by the refreshing looking water. 

Beautiful flower of life based pattern on the buildings in a medieval village called Pyrgi

In the middle of the square of Pyrgi

On the road along the south west coast Chios Island

Coastal road Chios Island

Parking the car beside a monastery facing Turkey. That is where we are going next.

We got on our ferry that took an hour to cross to Cesme, Turkey. Then we continued on our journey to Izmir, where we were planning to spend a week but instead we were taken to Denizli where Pamukkale is and spent the week there. We were glad. Thank you Universe. :-) 

Downtown Izmir, Turkey

Looking up the mountain where the castle is. We noticed the amount of flags everywhere.

During our stay in Denizli, we tried to think back and forth if it was worth going to Hierapolis, Pamukkale and pay 10euro. Finally our dilemma was answered as we were shown a way to enter Hierapolis by climbing one of the fences. So off we went!

The bus took us to Karahayit, where the northern gate of Hierapolis is located

We have to walk along side the mountain to enter Hierapolis from the side

Our walk passing through fields and mountains

Lovely walk on our way to sneak in Hierapolis

Mats exploring the tombs

As we entered from the pine forest, this is what we were brought to

Half circle seating in Hierapolis

Hierapolis, meaning the Holy City (thanks Kostas)

And ancient pool with constant flowing of hot water spring that is medicinal

Ancient ruins inside the pool. When bathing in the water, it helps cure rheumatic, asthma, skin disease, etc and when drunk it can help cure kidney stones, stomach problems, etc. 

A large amphitheater in Hierapolis

Walking down towards Pamukkale village through the calcium build up from the hot water spring

We had to walk barefoot and the ground was quite chilly, but there was hot water flowing so we can soak our feet before continuing walking again

Picture taken during sunset. The calcium build up looks like vanilla icing on a chocolate cake. Mmmhmmm!

Mission accomplished! It was time to go. Side was our next destination.

An island in Antalya on our way to Side

Our journey from Denizli to Side was passing majestic mountains

Stopped by these men who were checking each passengers

Getting a glimpse of a Ukraine dance practice from the apartment we were staying at in Side

Ruins by the side of the beach

An ancient theatre by the side of the beach

Apollo Temple by the side of the beach

During our stay in Side, we received a confirmation to pet and house sit in Fethiye at the end of April, so we looked for a nice place to stay for a month and chose a little village up the mountain near Kumluca. We ended up at a cute little place with spectacular views and incredibly friendly neighbours who happily shared their fruit and vegetables with us. We found ourselves to be living in a such loving community.

A stroll around the village on the mountain where we are living in

Found some interesting looking plants

A little forest we walked through

While walking on the side of the road, we met our cute friends, George and Cindy who are also travelling with their homes on their back

See if you can spot George and Cindy here.. It's like 'where's wally?'

Here we are, with a spectacular view right in front of the balcony

It is so nice to be home in Kumluca to have a relaxing serenity time breathing in fresh air every single moment with only birds, dogs, cats, cows and chicken that we hear mostly each day, o and the prayer calls. Until next month. :-) 

Sending my love to you from Turkey.

1ove <3

Styra, the experience of gorgeous village life in Greece

Athens - Styra - Athens

The ferry was starting to accelerate slowly and I could start to feel the breeze of fresh ocean air on my face. We sat at the back side of the ferry and watched as the mainland of Greece disappeared slowly from our vision. The seagulls were taking every opportunities they can to catch the fish that's been pulled up to the surface by the powerful engines of the ferry boat.

Farewell mainland Greece.

Our last night in Athens with Rania. Miss you already, Rania. <3

Our trip took an hour to cross the water to Nea Styra where our host was waiting for us at the harbour. At that time, I was excited about this place that we were going to called Styra. It is the older town that is located in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains in the southern part of Evia Island.

Our lovely host drove us through farm fields and little houses with little roads, then ended up in a little square consisting of a few shops, a couple of cafes and a church. It was quaint. Then the car continued to drive through a small road that only fits one car passing houses beside the road and stopped at a little white house with wooden frames.

Just on the road outside of the square.

The house we lived in

Little monastery like room.

The house that we stayed in was previously owned by a very artistic man, who really inspired to open my mind's eye and let the creativity of the universe flow through me. I was very surprised with the result of the drawing that I made. I would like to hear what you see in the picture.

Drawn on the base of the flower of life where I let the expression of the Universe flow through me and was very surprised to see the result of the painting

The previous owner was also a monk who guarded the so called tomb of jesus in Jerussalem, so part of the house had a room that was made in to looking like a little monastery. It was very cute.

During our stay, we met our neighbours and the people living in the area. It has been a very interesting experience to live the local Greek life in this beautiful village.

Styra village

On the day of our anniversary, we went up to Dragospito, which is translated as Dragonhouse. After visiting, it seems that the construction is built to be a defensible place. Which makes sense because of its location on top of the mountain.

Upper side of the hill in Dragospito 

On top of roof of little stone construction

Jumpity Jump over the roof

We continued our walk through thorny shrubs, then to a beautiful stone path that leads to Acropolis.

On the way to Acropolis

Met with some goats on our way up the mountain

Finally got to Acropolis! 

Entrance of Acropolis

Behind the entrance

On top of Acropolis on our way to the chapel peaking up a little bit on the right top side of Mats' head

After 3 weeks living in the quaint little house, we moved to another house located on top of the hill where resides the cutest donkey in the world named Padmini. For the duration of the time we lived there, Padmini was part of our family. We went for walks together, even up to the mountain where we gathered some sage.

Padmini contemplating

The Padmini shepherd

The three of us walking up the mountain collecting sage

Fresh white sage

Mats and Padmini walking down the mountain

The magnificent view and the amazing weather that we had lately, inspired me to express another art through my colouring pencils and pen. We were a little bit naughty one day and let Padmini in to spend the time with us while I drew.

Having our breakfast while enjoying the sun and the view

Time to hug the goatsies. So cute! <3

Drawing with Padmini

Everybody hanging out and chillin together

Half done of the picture I drew

Here's the result.

Padmini rolling around in the sand like a dogdog

Beautiful sunset after our sun gaze together

After 10 days living in this beautiful location, we say our farewell to Padmini and back we are in Athens. Not sure where to go next. Turkey perhaps? We'll see where the Universe takes us. 
1ove <3