Monday, August 1, 2022

St. Gerasimos Monastery and Leaving Kefalonia


It was the last day in Kefalonia and by now we knew the travel drill, we were going to be tired. But!!! We woke up early and drove to see St. Gerasimos Monastery. It was filling. I felt so thankful to my Yiaya for her strong faith she instilled in my mother and I. The monastery was colorful, extravagant, and highly detailed. A gaggle of geese were picturesque in the background. It was quiet and peaceful. It is said a group of sailors were going to die in a storm but a faithful sailor threw his St. Gerasimos icon into the sea and the storm immediately ceased. He was famous for healing the mentally ill and had a cave he lived in as a hermit. It is said that believes can still go down to the cave, but only if they believe.

My Yiaya loved her saint. I loved listening to her tell me the story of the saints, I can't say that about all her stories. It was beautiful and I definitely felt the spirit and reverence within it's walls.

When we were done we hit the most beautiful breakfast place. Grape leaves lined the outdoor windows to a view of hills with trees and dotted with houses. Kefalonia is famous for its wine. And in this beautiful spot, you felt like you were in Napa, but ultimate Napa. The owners were so friendly and even gave us gifts when we left. So considerate!!

We headed for the airport for the final night in Athens and Greece. The flight was delayed with no information. We were spent with Greece airports. The thing is, you have to go outside in the heat, board onto a plane with no air conditioning... it makes you wonder, why?? Spoiled Americans.





























 

Cars on Ferries, Agia Thekli, and Petani Beach


We were wiped out from the drive, the sun, the heat, and being away from home for almost 3 weeks. But we were still ready to go!!! It was going to be a laid back day. Except it started out with banishing Eli from the car, playing puzzle me a parking spot on the ferry, and general stress of being stuck in the car on the ferry.

Once we were off the ferry in Lixouri, we grabbed some breakfast and headed to Yiaya's village. We weren't sure who we would see when we got their. We only had 1 name. And it turns out he wasn't working his usual hours, so we met no one. And that was fine by us, because we got to just experience by ourselves. Agia Thekli, my Yiaya's village was very small. It was in the heart of a beautiful valley, lush with trees and beautiful hills. We didn't get to see where her house was, but we saw her home. We saw the land. Surprisingly similar to California!

We drove 20 minutes to Petani beach. There was some HUGE house/compound, probably an Italian's. This beach was a lot different from the others, it had lots and lots of trees!!! We loved it. The clean Ionean sea, the great temperatures, and a lovely pebble beach where we didn't pay for an umbrella we didn't use. By this point in the trip we were done with being milked for money because we're American. We swam for probably 3 hours and headed back to the Airbnb area, happy and well salted!