Kefalonia's Myth-Weaving and Spinning Neighbor

Does beauty love company?
Yes, it does!
And if this beauty happens to be a place rather than a person, how can it find suitable and worthy associations?
By being in the right neighborhood, of course!

Vathy, Ithaca

Ithaca, Kefalonia's myth-spinning and weaving neighbor, is just as exquisite and bewitching. And, perhaps, a bit more alluring in its intrinsic charm.

All credit is due to its eternal mistress and her discerning ways!


"Yes, you can twiddle time in Ithaca unraveling the verses of the myth. Or you can spin and weave a new myth—your personal epic..."

➥ Read my full article here:
A HOMECOMING BEYOND THE MYTH

Ithaca: From Here to There and Back

If not for the brisk northwestern breeze blowing through the channel, the return journey from Ithaca to Kefalonia is uneventful.

Midway through crossing the channel, the eye wanders undecided. 
Left behind is the ultimate destination of dreams; ahead lies the overwhelming, massive floating rock that is home.

And the boat keeps shearing the water at a speed that leaves no time for regret, tilting a bit as the sea gets choppy.
 
As if to prepare you for the return to more familiar ground.

Ithaca outlined in the afternoon sky, with Kefalonia lurking in the background

Sailboats gliding between Kefalonia and Ithaca

Returning to Kefalonia with a northwestern breeze in the channel

And, without any undue guilt, as I mentioned when I started this blog, a mention of Captain Vangelis and his beautiful "Mythos" Glass Bottom Boat—the most gracious host on all my sea outings.

Thank you, Vangelis!

And, in case you missed the journey:
➥Ithaca Part I
➥Ithaca Part II
➥Ithaca Part III

Ithaca: Don't You Love Her Madly? (Part III)

On the way to Kioni, Ithaca

The third leg of the journey is a visit to Kioni, the traditional seaside village tucked away in the northeastern shore of Ithaca. Windmills, small cottages, and tiny chapels come into view—perched on rocky land intrusions into the gleaming sea.

Kioni itself is not as "mood intensive" as Vathy, but with an aura of its own.

Quayside at Kioni, Ithaca

Attention grabbing elements at Kioni, Ithaca

One last stop before leaving Ithaca...
One last dip in the enticing, blue waters of Filiatro Beach...

Aqua-blue perfect Filiatro Beach, Ithaca

To be continued......
Not the posts, THE JOURNEY...

In case you missed previous posts in the series:
➥Ithaca Part I
➥Ithaca Part II

Ithaca: Don't You Love Her Madly? (Part II)

The second leg of the journey is a stopover at Vathy, Ithaca's capital.
➥here's Part I, in case you missed it

St. Andrew's chapel at the entrance of Vathy Bay, Ithaca

The town is lazily sprawled along the inner horseshoe section of the deep, fjord-like bay.
A place to see and do a lot, or absolutely nothing.

Vathy, Ithaca

 It all depends on one's mood* (which is the key word in describing Vathy, to begin with).

Sailboats at Vathy, Ithaca

*note: I've been to Vathy at different times of the year and I find rainy spring or autumn days the most mood-definining and inspirational. I concede, though, that for most people a sunny day would be preferable!

Vathy Bay, Ithaca

The journey and the posts...
To be Continued...

Ithaca: Don't You Love Her Madly?

The only thing that beats being aboard a boat crossing the serene waters separating Kefalonia from Ithaca on a sunny September Sunday, is being on Ithaca .

1st stop: Gidaki Beach

Oh, how I had missed her!
So unpretentious, so soothing, so nostalgic, so vibrantly blue...

Testing the waters at Gidaki Beach

Gidaki Beach, Ithaca

Splash!

Diving from the deck at Gidaki Beach

Immersed in aqua-blue waters

Sailing from Gidaki Beach to Vathy, Ithaca

The journey and the posts...
To be Continued...

Missing you, Ithaca

View of Ithaca with Kefalonia in the background

It has been almost a year since I've crossed the channel to  my "adopted" island—Ithaca. 
So compact, so picture perfect, so serene. 
So intense, without the pretense. 
A place to dream and daydream. 
To capture its light and aura with the senses before even attempting to capture it on camera. 
To sit back and watch while even mundane things, like sailboat masts, take on an unexpected significance in the muted dawn light. 

Yes, it's time...

Vathy, Ithaca