Dec./09 Our Villa In Naxos Oct./09-Jan./10

Through a connection with Irene, an English-
born woman, who now lives here with her
Greek husband and 4 children, we found
about Villa Paradisia about l kilometre
out of C(Hora), the main town on Naxos.
We were leaving that morning to go on to
Santorini which we did but we came back to
settle down for the remainder of our 6 months.
Thank you, Irene! Irene owns and operates
a 'fun' shop filled with beach toys and summer
goodies.

Everytime we drove this rural road to our villa
I marvelled at the colours of this elephant grass,
the goats and especially at night in the headlights
the movement of these magical plants!

One of the first of many fabulous sunsets

We are the place with the yellow balcony

Our villa is straight ahead with the blue posts.

Our lovely sunny living room, dining area with a sundeck

to the south.

A display of my advent wreath for Christmas.

Kitchen, day bed, Naxian white marble stairs leading to

two bedrooms and a bathroom and an upstairs sundeck

facing to the harbour and the sunsets.

Who's this good-looking Greek god?

We both really enjoyed the keyboard...as old as it was!

A lot of time writing from this spectacular spot...taken Dec. 21st

facing to the harbour, the Portara and the sunsets....!!

Steps leading up from the car parking

UPDATE ALERTS!

UPDATES FOR:

San Marguerita, Portofino, Elba

Olympia, Naflion

Back to Naxos...

OCT/09 BACK TO NAXOS...(UPDATED) SETTLING INTO THE QUIET, GOOD LIFE!

I made a connection on Naxos the morning we were leaving to Santorini which has changed the direction of our odyssey. We found that we could live very comfortably here within our means if we committed to a month by month arrangement. So here we are at our own villa...Paradisia Villas...above (C)Hora, Naxos' main town. We have committed to a month which takes us to Nov. 24 and from then, well, we may stay on as we are in a gorgeous spot! Enough is everything, something we have often talked about........and it is so very good to be still and relax......

We are in a 2 bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, 3 balconies (2 to the sunset) and paying 400 euros ($600) per month. It is modern and the owners have already been more than kind with eggs, tomatoes, lending us a CD player, even a keyboard.

I have been catching up with writing and look forward to the watercolour that I will do with sketching from Santorini. And...I am very much looking forward to beginning one of my books. More on that later.

We are situated on a hillside of ancient terraces. Naxos still grows a lot of its own food....and is famous for its cheeses and wines. So it does not just depend on tourism. The first day I just wouldn't budge off the balconies. Below me are small fields --pigs, sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens/roosters, dogs, cats, horses...and the human interaction. I absolutely love the sound of the animals as dusk is falling. It is one of the 'somethings' that has always been missing in my life, being close to farm and animals.

So...all is good. We have been blessed! And...we are making new friends. The people are hard-working, generous and good-hearted. I find myself greeting the people here on the sidewalks and the connection has begun...

I do not plan to move much from our villa...it has been a long-time dream of mine to be in my own villa in this area...with a live-in masseur...and it has happened!

First 2 nights of thunder and lightning...too bad my shutter is not quite fast enough. Still need that old Minolta.

Yes, that is a swimming pool...and sheep on the right. The narrow road on the left leading to our villa.

Ah....love their sounds at dusk as they are settling into the night.

From the south window of our bedroom. The moon has increasingly been shining...right onto the bed.

Along the coast there are about 5 sandy beaches with wind boarders...still. Increasing amount of winds...

Back side of the Venetian Castle...the Castra...and the museum I already talked about

OCT/09 SANTORINI (Cyclades--'Encircling')

The zig-zag grey is the switch back road that Dov expertly navigated in our rented car which turned on a dime...Ladybug.

The volcanic islands in the foreground

Our sunset view from our balcony our first night! Can it get better?

A promenade which runs a good part of the ridge of the town of Ia.

The opposite direction; Fira, the largest town in the background.

A magical kingdom

Small fishing community and beach

Wine tasting at Boutari WineriesW

We lived on the far side that you can see

Cruise ships come and go. Only a short time ago...

A favourite picture

That is not snow but a village between these unbelievable cliffs, some of which were held in place by large nets

View from our kitchen

A very favourite spot...many hrs. here writing and sketching

Early, early morning sunrise

Reflecting on the opposite side of the 'Caldera'

The growing light

Growing into gold!

Closer, coming to us!

Found us!

My favourite type of photography...finding the pathways and portals

A favourite spot of Dov's with his binoculars.

The last early morning

This time we were ready to embrace the light coming toward us on the promenade!

And there we are...can you find us?

Donkeys bring people up from the beaches at certain areas. Stick to cars.

I loved it! Weren't we some lucky! Above a family restaurant; only 4 rooms; we were the only guests...they made us coffee, CD's of Greek music and shared wine with us!

A lofty bedroom

Ladybug!

Back down the zig-zag road to the ferry and away...back to Naxos!

The last view of Santorini! Wow, what a place!