Kefalonia Photo Collection: All Shades of Blue

Cover of KEFALONIA COLLECTION on G+

What is this?

A microblog?

A photo album?

A forum where the image tells the story?

All of the above! 

Plus, a place to see and follow links to Kefalonia related posts on my other blogs.

CLICK HERE to VIEW and FOLLOW the KEFALONIA PHOTO COLLECTION ON G+

(As of Spring 2019, the Collection is no longer available as the G+ platform was shut down by Google)

Kefalonia World Random Memories: 15+1 from 150

A review of the past always presents difficulties.

Just how random are the posts chosen?
I'm not sure...
Were they objectively chosen?
Surely not!
I didn't even try.

A lot has changed over the past five years, especially in posting frequency.
But Kefalonia World remains the project closest to my heart; this review has been a catalytic reminder of that.

15+1 memories out of 150, spread over five years.
This is the rewind, and a nudge for the next five forward.
Thank you for staying tuned.

Click here for FULL SCREEN VIEW
Click on each slide TITLE to view each post

Kefalonia "Waltz of the Flowers" in Desktop Mode

Thank you all for staying with the blog through all my changes in residence, mood, posting frequency, broken promises, delays, writer's block, etc etc. 

Life happens, as they say, and it interferes and holds us back from doing that which we love as we have to concentrate on that which we have to do. 

Anyway, it has been simply awesome to see that, despite all obstacles, the blog's friends have stuck around. 

I will make no more promises, set no new deadlines... let me surprise you!

As a small token of my appreciation, at the bottom of this post is a link where you can opt to download the image below in higher resolution (1600 X 900 px) and use as desktop background.

It is a loose collage of some of the photos in the "Waltz of the Flowers in Kefalonia" video. Enjoy!

a collage of spring color in Kefalonia

➥USE THIS LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE PHOTO (Dropbox)

(Please note that the link is safe as the file itself is in simple .jpg format and Dropbox is a reputable service)

Loaded, Colorful Outtakes

Sunset over Dias Islet, Kefalonia

Decisions, decisions!

Before the ink had a chance to dry (*) on the first photo stories I prepared for the KefaloniaWorld e-Magazine, an unrelenting dilemma surfaced. What do I include and what do I leave out?

Despite the plethora of images available—a result of years' worth of roaming on Kefalonia with a camera strapped around my neck—the problem is not quantity but qualitaty. Take sunsets, for example; I have hundreds of images that I could use. But some of my better sunset images, photographically-wise,  do not mean that much to me.
There, I've said it!
Let me explain.

 My photo safaris

Sometimes I went about my quest with a purpose in mind, correct settings on the camera, time to spare, and conscious choice of location and time so they'd be advantageous in terms of light and sky conditions.

So, I do have heaps of "semi-correct" (**) sundown images. On the other hand, sometimes I was just impelled to point the camera at the horizon and press the shutter button without addressing suitability of lens, settings, or position.

But Kefalonia does that to you.

You may be on the road driving—or occupied photographing sea shells, e.t.c.,—but if you lift or divert your glance from the task at hand, you are overwhelmed by colors, shapes, and light formations that developed while your attention was focused elsewhere.

Then, you act on feeling and instinct rather than on plan. And though the images that result are not picture-perfect, they are loaded with memories of those moments and stories that are hard to put into words.

Like these outtakes... which will probably never make it to the website; I'll keep them to share here.

Case in point: Top photo was taken from Avythos Beach on an afternoon dedicated to collecting pebbles and sea shells since the approaching sunset and sky seemed to be dull, monochromatic, and otherwise uninteresting.

Sunset over Paliki Peninsula

More: Photo above was taken from Gradakia Beach, while in the car, listening to music and daydreaming to kill time, waiting for the full moon to rise in the evening sky.

Sunset over Livatho

The shenanigans of Kefalonian light

Eyes on the road! That is the wise thing to do if you're driving on the Poros-Argostoli road, and not just in the afternoon!

But as you drive through the villages of Simotata and Vlahata, you should always be prepared. For me that translates into quick recollection of every widening and clearing along the road, and the camera placed on the passenger seat.

No need to worry about lens selection or current settings.
The island's insane light will do all the exposure compensation ever required.

(*)  Although old enough to have used plain paper and ink, I do really mean "before I could save the .doc file on my computer screen" —but it just doesn't look or sound as good as ink drying on the page!
(**) I will never aspire for more than "semi-correct" —lest I fall into the popular trap of shooting or post-processing photos to such correctness that they no longer resemble the island. You know what I mean 😉

Help me Find my Marbles!

OR PEBBLES... whichever you prefer.

Fact is, I need to complete the puzzle for the KefaloniaWorld Site.
Although it is pretty much mapped out in terms of content, your input in filling in the blanks is needed and appreciated. Besides, I think it will be much more fun if we complete this project together.

Putting the KefaloniaWorld site together using authentic materials

The goal is to build an e-magazine for the English speaking world community of "Kefalonians."
The "Kefalonian e-nation" includes all those who have a relationship with the island of Kefalonia by birth, ancestry, heritage, marriage, residence, love, or inclination!
So there you have it.

And this is where you come in! In music I've always preferred bands to solo artists. All those lazy afternoons in Kefalonia, I've often found the sound of a single cicada on a tree by my window discordant or even annoying, while the noisy chatter of many of these little critters sounded like the best conducted orchestra in the world.

To get this e-magazine off the ground properly, I need the wings and buzz of many cicadas.

Kefalonian Cicada

Tell me your story

Use the comments section below or e-mail me and tell me your story.

• Tell me what you do, maybe others want to network with you. 
• Tell me how you spend your time in Kefalonia, why you keep going back, what special memories you have there. And by all means send photos to accompany your story. 
• If you are second, third + generation Kefalonian, share your family history, your experiences and tell me what you do if you wish to be included in the "Kefalonians in Focus" section. (tentative name).
• Tell me about "the first time" and about the renewal of your vows of love with the island. Recommend books, videos, etc., or a special experience you or someone you know has had that might be worth writing about and sharing with others. 
• If you engage in a hobby, art or craft involving or inspired by Kefalonia, please tell me about it. If you are seeking your Kefalonian roots, tell us your story and maybe one of your fellow readers can help you get your eureka! moment. Or if you have found your island roots, share the experience. 

In general, send anything you think has a place or should be featured on this e-magazine. (see notes below)
I struggled to think of an "incentive plan" for this call for assistance but could not come up with anything viable and with broad appeal. However, I cannot resist aiming a small bribe your way: depending on the response, I may be convinced to reveal the exact location of my gestalt rock!


notes
1. Every orchestra needs a conductor. Therefore, I will be making the final decision on the material: what goes into the e-magazine as well as how extensive the coverage of the stories chosen will be. I do believe, though, that my cherished and honest relationship with all of you on this blog entitles me to request that you trust my judgement as the head cicada!
2. Please do not spam my e-mail or comment box below with hidden commercial links, etc.
3.The cicada connection is fully attributed and credited to my favorite Kefalonian author!

A Time for Healing and Renewal

Kefalonian Camomile Tea

We've been down this road before

After each hiatus, I renew my intention to keep up with regular posting. But you know what they say about the best intentions...

This blog is not, and never intended to be, a writing venture. It started as a love child, a celebration of the bond I have with my tiny birthplace. As with every love and every celebration, circumstances, feelings, forces beyond our control do sometimes alter our mood and disposition.

Obviously, it hasn't been as easy to maintain the daily pace and momentum since I no longer live in Kefalonia; now, I have to rely on my accumulated photo collection—extensive as that is, and my memories, vivid as they are.

If that wasn't enough, the earthquakes earlier this year devastated my morale on a number of fronts. I am not one to sugarcoat hard facts and I honestly was not sure if it was right to keep posting about the beauty and side sweep the devastation.

Last, but far from least, the daily routine, the long New York winter, and involvement in several writing projects left me without much energy to write in the fashion I usually do on this blog.
So, I did not.

But, with life returning to normal on the island and my other projects falling into place, I've decided that it's time to move on, to heal, and to renew and expand.

Kefalonia World over the next few weeks will become a full-fledged website on www.kefaloniaworld.com. For all English-speaking "Kefalonians" everywhere. This blog will remain my personal refuge and place of carefree expression. (More info coming up soon along with my definition of "Kefalonians" )

Thank you for keeping up with the blog while I haven't; this has been instrumental in my decision to resume and expand. Check back in!

Note: Why the photo of camomile tea? For those who are not familiar with this perennial herb, here is some basic info that will make you understand. The name camomile (or chamomile) comes from two Greek words ("hamilos" meaning low or close to the ground, and "milo" meaning apple) and describes the herb that grows close to the ground and its infusion smells a lot like apples. It has been used for centuries in Greece as a cure-all remedy due to its calming and healing effects. It tastes pretty good too! So there, now you have the connection...

Losing the Candles

A tray of traditional "treats"

JULY 15th is an annual milestone for me.

It is the date by which I usually review the first half of the year, panic at the realization of all the things I haven't done yet, curse the heat while I question my dislike of winter, and do lots of rethinking and reshuffling on my plans for the second half of the year.

It is also MY BIRTHDAY! (which may explain the mid-summer, self-inflicted mental cruelty described above).

All those years in Kefalonia, I usually spent the day in flip-flops, on the beach, among friends. This year I'm celebrating my second birthday since returning to New York, in normal sandals, on land.

There are other differences. In Greece, the custom is to treat your friends on your birthday, in contrast to the New World where friends treat you or take you out on your special day. Thinking that maybe I should stick to the Old World tradition, I've also decided to do away with the candles on the birthday cake (for practical reasons, you understand!)

Today, I feel the need to treat all of you for your loyalty to this blog throughout my less prolific period. But no cake, and certainly no candles!

Instead, the most traditional of Kefalonian treats or kerasma... a cup of Greek coffee, a glass of fresh spring water—necessary to sip while waiting for the coffee grounds to "settle"—and some homemade spoon sweets.
Like pitted grapes in syrup (photo).

Thank you for your loyalty and patience!
Returning to regular posting is part of my reshuffling.

Always on my Mind

Spring flowers over Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

Hello again!

Yes, I've been away from blogging duty for a bit more than originally expected.
But I've been, and still am, away from the island since the end of March.

This is the first time in over 10 years that I've been away from Kefalonia on Greek Orthodox Easter.  Since this is the most breathlessly beautiful time of the year on the island, I do feel a bit deprived and envious.

I've been trying to figure out the best way to keep up with the blog while I'm away, especially as this is the time of year that most of my online friends are planning their holidays and seeking information on where to go and what to see.

Of course, it never crossed my mind to keep on posting as if I were there... I'm sure you'd be able to tell the difference!!!
So, here's the deal....
While I'm away—and I will be away for a while—I'll post about all those special places that shouldn't be missed, giving you the inside scoop on places and things to do.

HAPPY EASTER to those of you celebrating Orthodox Easter.
Greetings from NEW YORK to all. 🙌

Grazie Mille!

Limenia - Poros, Kefalonia

A sincere thank you to the new friends of this blog in ITALY.
It was a genuine surprise, in reviewing the recent visitor statistics, to see that you went into the trouble of using the google translator to read the entire blog.

I have no way of knowing if the translation is good, or what you are looking for. Regretfully, my knowledge of Italian is next to zero and, thus, I don't know how to say "hang around" in your language. But, I hope that you do! GRAZIE!!!

And since I'm on the subject of blog visitors, a huge thank you to the loyal friends of this blog in SLOVENIA.
I truly appreciate it!

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM KEFALONIA

'Tis the Season

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This, i.e., Thank You, EasyJet Holidays

It was the most unexpected yet thrilling thing.
This blog was mentioned on easyJet Holidays Blog's "Top 10 Travel blogs in October"  

My "Blogger of the Month" mention, badge and all!

There are quite a number of things that I could write about this distinction, but I think it is best to keep it short and to the point.

To all of you, the readers who have honored me with their visits, shares and comments, a heartfelt THANK YOU!

To the editors of easyJet Holidays, I dedicate this photo with my sincere wishes that their days are blessed and filled with the bright light, blue skies, and vivid colors of an October day in Kefalonia.
THANK YOU!

Xenopoulo, Kefalonia

original link
http://holidayblog.easyjet.com/top-10-travel-blogs-in-october/
note: as of 2015, the link is no longer available

ef-har-ree-STO!!!

Hidden coves in Myrtos Bay, Kefalonia

A sincere THANK YOU to all of you who take the time to view this blog and to repost on your pages. Closing in on the milestone figure of 5000 page views in two months, I am extremely grateful and promise to reciprocate in my own way.
A special thank you to my new friends in Finland!
ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ!
(ef-har-ree-STO)

Kefalonia: a Bit of Geography, Some Facts, and the Obvious

Myrtos Beach and Assos Peninsula

 Geography and Geology

Kefalonia is the largest of the islands sprawling the Ionian Sea on the western coast of Greece, from north to south. Separated by a narrow channel from Ithaca, Kefalonia lies in the middle of this colorful sea. The island's terrain is rugged and its shores are highly indented with beaches, inlets and hidden coves.

The abundance of limestone in the sub-terrain and seabed allows for some interesting geological variations in the land and colors in the sea.

A sea of brighter blue, a landscape of contrasts

In contrast to the deep blue of the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea toggles between sky blue, transparent emerald, and milky turquoise. Interesting and rare flora, evergreen mountains, and bare limestone cliffs cascading to the sea, make for breathtaking contrasts and a stunning landscape year round.  

Never a dull moment here as the seasons change!

Myrtos Beach, viewed from the road above

Kefalonia's trademark photo is that of Myrtos Beach. Year after year, Myrtos finds its way to the top of Greece's "best beaches" list and is placed on the top 5 (or 10) list of best beaches in Europe and the world. This distinction is certainly justified. But this is part of the "obvious" beauty of the island. So, I'll post the obligatory photos now so I can move on to more subtle but certainly more interesting things!

(note: it'll be a while before I post anything about Myrtos again, so, get your fix now!)

The unmistakable blue of Kefalonia's trademark beach

Kefalonia: What's in a Name?

Try to google "Kefalonia" and you'll come across all the spelling variations of the island's name. The reasons are complex and linked to the island's history, linguistics, etc. The most popular and widely used variation, in English, is KEFALONIA. 

However, the substance is not in the name; while the argument for the definitive name carries on, the seasons change, and  so do the colors, the moods, the scents, the skies and the sea. 

None should be missed for the sake of getting the "label" correct.
Because—

❝ that which we call a rose,
by any other name
would smell as sweet ❞

 (Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare)

Setting the Ground Rules: Copyrights and Disclaimers

Every single word and photograph on this blog is original, and taken by me. I don’t “borrow,” creatively or otherwise, and, as a rule, I don’t repost third party material. When I do, I always mention the source. It is a matter of principle.

Exceptions to the above:
-    Of course I did not redraw the map of Kefalonia. (thank you, Google)
-    I use song lyrics extensively: sometimes in the titles of posts, sometimes in my main text. Though I always strive to give credit where due, sometimes I may not; most of these lyrics are “public domain” in a way, as they are widely recognizable and/or have been incorporated into everyday expression. (i.e.: “All you need is Love”, “Stairway to Heaven”)
-    I do borrow quotes shamelessly from literary giants, but only as a tribute to them since I could never express it better than they have. And yes, I have a special fondness for the absolute master of the English language, William Shakespeare, but always with all credit due to the Great One (lest he come back and haunt me with some medieval copyright law, yelling at me “Out, out, you damned spot”!)

🚫 THE COPYRIGHT ISSUE

I’ll be succinct: No portion of this blog may be copied, used, reproduced or presented in any form without my prior knowledge and written consent. Reposting on social media or other noncommercial media is ok, as long as the source is clearly mentioned and a proper backlink is included.

Fishing for perch (and copyright violators)

To take some of the photos I post here, I spent lots of time driving on dirt roads, climbing hills and rocks, ducking crashing waves, avoiding encounters with some unfriendly species of local flora and fauna—not to mention cash outlays for car repairs, camera equipment and first aid kits (prickly pears are nice to look at but they do sting!) 

Therefore, it’s absolutely maddening to have someone benefit commercially from this time and work without having to do more than just right click. The same is true for text: writing is a result of one’s sum total of feelings, knowledge, education, experiences, etc.  I’ve seen portions of my work reproduced on commercial sites without credit and it’s infuriating.

However, if you like a photo for your own use, e.g., as a screensaver, please email me and I’ll send it to you in the proper resolution. (Material is available for commercial use as well, under certain conditions). 

Anyone caught in a net of copyright abuse, will be promptly fried. 😁

A Disclaimer of Sorts

Although a lover of English literature—esp. fascinated by the writers of the Victorian and Romantic Eras—I write in “American” English. This is inevitable as I grew up and was schooled across the Atlantic. Therefore, my rainbows have colors (instead of colours), my posts are organized (instead of organised) in categories, and, I place my photos off-center (instead of off-centre). Though most of the quotes and allusions used are strictly literary, some are inevitably cultural —as are numerous colloquialisms used. 

I feel the need for clarifying this point because I’d hate to unintentionally alienate my Brit friends.  All I can promise is to always strive to be sincere and “correct” in information disseminated through this blog—linguistic “correctness” is beyond me at this time. OK?

And a Disclaimer of Principle

This blog is NOT A COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY on my part. Yes, I do similar work professionally: mostly writing for print and digital destination marketing. BUT this is MY PERSONAL BLOG, the place I unload my “likes” and concerns, my interests, the stuff that usually gets left out from official brochures and websites as too “particular, too unconventional.” This is the dump site of my heart and soul— the place where I share all the thoughts and material that fills up many gigabytes on several hard disks and is screaming to be seen and heard.

There will NOT be commercial activity on this blog, with the possible exception of a link to any site that endorses the blog. NO ADVERTISING of accommodation, holiday packages or local ...widgets! 

However, from time to time I may mention a service, business, person or product within the context of my posts. Any such mention will be strictly on a personal level and from personal experience or knowledge. There are some noteworthy people doing excellent work out here and some of them are my friends. So, without undue guilt, I will mention them, if and when appropriate, but no links to commercial sites. Should any of you wish to explore such a mention further, email me and I’ll get you in touch.

WYSIWYG

No more, no less….
Note: All photos are as"straight out of the camera"- with the exception of some cropping to accommodate sizing needs. No Photoshop, no touch up, no erasing of distractions.

Kefalonia World Lift-off!

By way of Introduction

I’ve been thinking about this for a while—starting a blog about Kefalonia.
There’s a need in me to say and show things about this island that I don’t get the chance to do in my professional capacity.

Though I have authored and designed/managed the content of many brochures, websites and multimedia applications on Kefalonia, there is always something missing.

No, this island is not only its well known beaches and tourist attractions—you know, the stuff you see on printed or digital guides.

Try to convince a client or a local official to include a photograph that shows anything but the heart of summer—with beaches “planted” with sun beds and shades—and they look at you like you just landed from a distant galaxy ( though I did manage once to convince a mayor to dedicate a few pages to “the other seasons”—real groundbreaking stuff!)

It is my deep belief that people who visit Kefalonia are shortchanged because they never get to see the real beauty beyond the obvious, the conventional, and the commercial aspect. No, you will never get your time’s (or money’s) worth seeing the well advertised obvious!

So, let’s remedy this.

EXPERIENCE the island and find out what it’s really about…

KefaloniaWorld is about—
➘ rainbows... those attention-seeking, arched bridges of extravagant color…
➘ intuitive tracking of the flight pattern of a seagull, or just following the sun exploding from the horizon and racing to mid heavens…
➘ color... true, vivid, unadulterated color
➘ light... raw, bright, clear, and forceful light
➘ shapes and textures... rugged and clearly defined, odd and distinctive
➘shores where the sky, the cascading cliffs, and the sea continue to engage in their perpetual struggle for dominance, with each taking alternating turns in victory and defeat…
➘people ... living and experiencing the colors and the light
➘ sharing the experience with new friends…

Come along, let me show you what I mean…

Testing the Waters of Kefalonia Island

Warming up and testing the waters...

It is possible that I'll get this right and it is possible that you'll like these waters and will come back for a dip...

I thought about making my first post a general description, with information and disclaimers, but it just didn't seem right...

Join me, let's get acquainted, or reacquainted...

LET'S GET OUR FEET WET!