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

Stunning Greece

Athens - Evia Island - Athens - Styra

At the end of January, we said our farewell to Athens. It was a nice and warm day for a winter in Greece. As the ferry arrived in Nea Styra, we were picked up by our host and taken to a little village called Styra, where we plan to live for a month. In a little quaint house, where the previous owner seem to have a large interest in churches, we drop our backpacks and make ourselves home. We have longed for the peace and quiet and the serenity of the country side. A breath of relief as I inhale the freshness of the air of this little village that's surrounded by mountains.

Styra, Evia Island, Greece, our current home.

After spending the first week of January in Athens, we rented a car and went for a road trip from Athens, middle of Evia island and along the coast, through the mountains to the north side where Edipsos was the place we aimed to be. Edipsos is a town where there is hotwaterspring coming out of the mountain and running down to the sea. We went down the beach where the hotwaterspring falls from a big rock. The feeling standing under the water fall was incredible, where the lower part of the body is chilled by the coldness of the sea and the upperside is extremely warmed up by the hotness of the hotwaterspring.

First night of our roadtrip in Dikastika, mainland Greece.

Along the road through mountains in Evia Island

Hotwater spring water fall on the beach, Edipsos, Evia Island

North of Edipsos watching the sunset, Evia Island

 While staying in Edipsos for a couple of nights, we found some time to look for an eco community called 'Free and Real', which we were extremely interested to witness and experience how the community works without money. Unfortunately the village is not active during winter. But the experiences and views we went through looking for the village was amazing.

On the way to Steni mountain to get some fresh water passing the beautiful dancing flow of Starlings, opening up like curtains as we pass by.

On our way up the mountain, Evia Island

Curious about a cave north of Edipsos, Evia Island

 On our way south heading towards Athens, we passed Chalkida and headed further south where we ended up in Eritria and went in to a small island and an abandoned place called Island of Dreams. As we were looking around the area, we heard little dogs whining and barking. The sound came from a little church and all these little cute puppies were lining up against the gate trying to get our attention. There were 11 of them and we fell in love with them, so we stayed two nights there. While camping there, we also took the opportunity to visit Steni, where the taste of the fresh water coming out of the mountain is dense and sweet. It was one of the best tasting water I've had.

On the way south of Evia I

On the Island of Dreams, with Fluffwuff. SO CUTE!

Snow White, Panda, Fluffy, Beige and Jamie in Island of Dreams, Evia.

Leaving the dogs behind was really sad. I really wish we can take them with us, especially Fluffy and Fluffwuff who were the smallest and fluffiest ones amongst the others. Yes, we named everyone. Nosey, Mama San, Snow White, Beige, Jamie, Cersei, Panda, Caramel and Chocolate. After a week of living in the small car, we came back to Athens and stayed there for 2 weeks, taking the opportunity to meet up with my friend who I met from my last trip in Sevilla, Spain, as well as visiting Platonos Akademia. Our host also took us on top of the marble mine hill where the old marble road heading to Acropolis began.

Infront of the Parliamant building in Sintagma, Athens.

Platonos Akademia, Athens

Parthenon from Monastiraki, Athens

Cool grafitti on the way to Platonos Akademia, Athens

Another cool grafitti 

Little monastery from the cave on the marble mine mountain, Athens

More news from me coming in a month time. 

Sending my love to you. 1ove <3

In and Out of the Schengen Zone

Bulgaria - Turkey - Greece

As we put in our bags through the scanner on the border of Turkey, I thought to myself Wow, finally out of Europe now. The weather is still as chilly as Bulgaria, but the air of change being in another country is obvious. Large flags with red background with the moon and the star coloured white are flapping on high poles. 

Beautiful Hagia Sofia Museum infront of the Blue Mosque, Istanbul.

After a few hours bus ride, we finally got to Istanbul and found a nice place in Taksim square to stay for a couple of nights. We're not fans of the city, so staying a few nights is enough for us. We were planning to continue east but the Universe led us back to Europe which resulted in us heading towards Athens. 

Somehow we have been led here, perhaps to experience the incredible Economic Warfare that is happening here in Greece. Our eyes almost fell out of our sockets when visiting the supermarket and getting basic food needs. The prices are equal to twice more expensive than prices in the UK and Sweden, which are the most expensive countries I've been to so far. 

Keeping Plato and Socrates company in Athens. Oh and not forgetting to mention Hermes.

One thing I must mention before ending this blog is the beautiful magnificent mountain Rhodopi. Our trip from Devin to Plovdiv was coloured by the amazing view of mount Rhodopi stretching through the south part of Bulgaria.

Rhodopi Mountain, Bulgaria

Now, I shall end this blog by wishing everyOne a new gregorian year of extensive experiences that will lead us all to further growth and enlightenment. We are One.

Spreading my love to you from Athens. 1ove <3

Ciao Serbia Ciao Bulgaria

Rtanj - Belgrade - Sofia - Varna

The snow was falling in to the warm car that we were sitting in. I looked out the window with tears in my eyes watching Lady and Popsy the dogs running along the car as we left town. Thanks to our lovely host in Rtanj, Serbia, we decided to stay in the house for almost 2 months. We thought we were going to live there longer, but it felt like it was time to move on. There are still so many places to go to.

Our last day in Rtanj, Serbia

During our stay in Rtanj, I managed to climb the mountain four times. Each of the climbing experiences were all extremely different and interesting with different and interesting companions as well. 

Ara, one of the dogs who kept us company walking up Rtanj the first time.

Fluffy, posing on the top of Rtanj on our third climb.

Coming back to the big city felt quite dramatic as it was an extreme change. Rtanj was so peaceful, quite, with millions of stars in the sky at night, fresh water straight from the mountain, and -my favourite- pitch black nights. Nothing like sleeping in the pitch black light.

After staying a few nights with our friend in Belgrade, we continued on traveling south to Sofia, Bulgaria. 

And now, we're in Varna, beside the black sea.

Varna Beach, Bulgaria

Serenity in Serbia

Amsterdam - Budapest - Belgrade - Rtanj

In the beginning of October, we continue travelling south to avoid the cold. We spent half a day in the bus and arrived in Budapest feeling quite exhausted. So we stayed there for a week and found out that Budapest has more than 50 hot water spring, also that apparently Count Dracula was prisoned and his headless body was buried under the Buda Castle.

Hot water spring, Budapest

The beautiful colours of autumn in Budapest

After our enjoyable and relaxing stay, we continued our travel to head to Bulgaria. But we wanted to visit Belgrade for the day once we found out that Nicola Tesla's museum was located there. We caught a train from Budapest to Belgrade. The train stopped at the border and we had our passports checked.

I almost got in to trouble because I've been staying in Europe longer than I can, but with all our wits, we succeeded to pass with no problem. At this moment also, we realized that Serbia is not part of the European Union, which made me decide to stay in Serbia for a longer time.

So we stayed in Belgrade for a night and gave our respect to Nicola's museum. Then we were brought to a three sided pyramidal mountain called Rtanj. We were planning to stay for one week before heading to Bulgaria. But it appears that we have grown attached with the place, especially the dogs that we now love dearly.

St Sava Church, Belgrade, Serbia

Tidying up the remaining tents from the temporary refugee camp, Belgrade

Rtanj, Serbia. The three sided pyramidal mountain.

So, the question is, is Serbia my new home now?

September to Remember

Five cities in one day: Gothenburg - Malmo - Copenhagen - Hamburg - Amsterdam

There's nothing like celebrating my birthday in Amsterdam, coloured with Lots of Indonesian food, great smoke, awesome company and ending the month with meeting an old Indonesian friend of mine, Pipit. It was perfect, absolutely perfect! Thanks Silvana for having us once again in Amsterdam, our home. <3