Greece
Sokraki

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    • Day 3

      Surely not everybody was Corfu fighting?

      July 12 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

      We welcome you with open arms, G.O.A.T.s of Mount Olympus!
      On this fine day we awoke our bussin gyatts and Leg and Ru munched on some yoghurt and cinnamon biscuits. It slapped. Liv’s bussin gyatt was not risen. Also Ru got her results, she slayed the house down and got 18 and 18 out of 20. No cap. Then Leg and Ru played a game and Ru lost. Twice. Tate’s bussin gyatt was finally awoken and we prepped to leave to see a mountain top monastery (slaying and praying to Louanne) but on the way the music did not pass the vibe check, aka twas Donald Fagen. But the monastery was overcrowded - which did lead to more snacks - so we turned around to eat at a tavern. The food ate. We went back to the vehicle to find that Ru had left her phone in the sun and could have burnt the house down. But all was good and we drove to a beach each let’s go get away bopping to decidedly better tunes, namely 5SOS. On the way, Dad flopped, basically Ru said “the postal service is such a MAIL dominated industry!!” as a joke bc she is hands down hilarious, but dad didn’t get it and said “that’s why they’re called postmen.” We all replied with, “oh.” Dad for sure lost some aura points there. When we arrived at the ocean we bought umbrellas and set up camp, filmed some transitions and hopped into the water. It was coolin’. We tanned and Tate was telling us about a k drama, we were like “go off, king,” but we laughed a lot when she said, “the guy had to go to deal with 9/11.” The show was trippin’. We went back to the sea and Ru yapped about the Marauders. Twas bussin’. We decided to return to hq, so got in the car and bopped out to some questionable 5SOS lyrics. At hq we swam, filmed some transitions that highkey slapped, then showered and chilled. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner (in a sassy australian vibe) was toasted cheese and tomato sammies with strange tins of stuff. It lowkey served. Dad’s blog was read, inspiring us to write this bad boy, but before, we yacked with the parents. Mum saw a plane in the sky, and thought it was a boat. Mega Lolz. Then mother left. Then something miraculous happened, in naming this blog, we thought of using Danny instead of John Travolta. This made Tate think of Ted Lasso, namely Dani Rojas. She then attempted to imitate him, he often says, Dani Rojas, Rojas! But she said Dani Dani Rojas. This made us giggle, and Leg was like, “it’s like you’re calling him. Ohhh, Dani, Dani Rojas!” But like in a pantomime way and it slapped so hard that we chuckled heartily. It passed the vibe check. The night slayed, and then we started writing this here boppin’ blog! We stayed up too late and that was all, G.O.A.T.s of Mount Olympus!

      Time for our honorary mention and minute of silence for our fallen comrade, Lil’ Genius. Are you coolin’? Did you pass the vibe check? Did our blog eat and leave no crumbs? Peace right out.

      Cheeeeese!!
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    • Day 1

      Tag 1

      May 29 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

      Nach einer kleinen Odyssee am Mietwagen Stand geht es doch endlich Richtung Norden der Insel, raus aus dem Trubel - der Fahrstil der Korfioten?! hat es in sich. Gewitter begrüßt mich und ich mache zunächst einen Stopp in Sokraki - einem Bergdorf mit abenteuerlicher Serpentinen Zufahrt, freunde mich mit der dortigen cat lady an (die 15!) Katzen besitzt. Offene Läden oder gar Restaurants mit etwas essbarem sind aber eher Mangelware und so bin ich umso erfreuter als ich ein kleines Juwel entdecke.
      Weiter geht es in die Unterkunft wo ich herzlich mit frischen Eiern und selbst gebackenem Kuchen empfangen werde und erst einmal am Strand schlafe ☺️ abends geht’s noch kurz in die Beach Bar und dann reicht es schon für heute
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    • Day 8

      6. Etappe - Agios Georgios - Sokraki

      June 19, 2022 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

      Sehr gutes Frühstück im Hotel mit Buffet und dann ab auf den Weg und endlich wieder einmal bergauf. Laut Wetterbericht sollten heute nur 28 Grad werden und da wollen wir wir zumindest die ersten Pfade bergauf morgens gehen.

      Gleich hinter „Agios Georgios“ ging es aufwärts in den Wald hinein. Vorbei an einem alten verrosteten Bus und mit herrlichen Aussichten auf die Bucht von „Agios Georgios“, ging es aufwärts bis nach „Prinilas“. Es gab hier eine nette Kirche und eine kleine Straße. Kurz darauf kamen wir nach „Pagi“ und an dem Café „Spiros Bond 007“ vorbei. Das Café war im James Bondfilm „For your Eyes only“ (deutscher Titel: In tödlicher Mission) mit Roger Moore. Der ganze Bond-Film wurde in Griechenland gedreht und eine Szene hier im Café in „Pagi“. Darauf sind die Bewohner des Ortes und noch mehr die Besitzer des Cafés sehr stolz. Wir sahen uns noch die Kirche von außen an und folgten dann der Straße aus dem Ort.

      Zuerst ging es wieder in das Tal und der dortige Tümpel beherbergte viel Kaulquappen. Danach ging es stetig auf breitem Schotterweg mit viel Schatten erneut aufwärts, wo wir dann auf eine Straße trafen, der wir bis in den Ort „Aspiotades“ folgten. Gleich am Ende des Ortes schloss sich dann „Manatades“ an. Ebenfalls sehr klein.

      Wir erreichten „Agios Athanasios“ mit einer Kirche und einer geführten deutschen Wandergruppe davor. Wir flüchteten schnell in das Dorf unterhalb der Kirche und verließen alsbald auch den Ort. Kurz dahinter ein Kloster, welches bis 1974 ein Männerkloster war. Heutzutage ist es ein Frauenkloster und dem heiligen Jesus gewidmet - Kloster Pantokrator. Dort hielten wir uns eine Weile auf, es gab kaltes Wasser umsonst, eine nette Kirche mit reichhaltiger Innenbemalung, welche von den Nonnen selbst angefertigt wurde und einen Shop. Hier verkauften die Nonnen selbst hergestellte Seife, Olivenöl und Ikonen. Wir waren sehr bestrebt nichts zu kaufen. Dann ging es am Kloster vorbei auf einer Asphaltstraße, die später in Beton und dann Schotter überging. Wir bogen in einer Kurve links ein und gingen durch herrlich schattige Olivenhaine. Nach gute 30 Minuten erreichten wir eine viel befahrene Straße und hatten schon etwas Mühe diese zu überqueren. Denn auf der anderen Seite gab es eine Shop mit „Handemade“ Dingen. Sowas interessiert uns immer. Dann haben wir doch etwas gekauft - ein Windspiel was von einer Eule gekrönt ist - das braucht man ganz dringend 😂.

      Kurz hinter der viel befahrenen Straße bogen wir erneut in einen dichten Wald ein und gingen scheinbar wieder in ein Tal. Wir mussten einen kleinen Bach überqueren und später war der eh schon schmale Pfad noch überspült, so dass wir schon aufpassen mussten, wohin wir traten. Außerdem hatten hier auch Wildbienen ihr Bau und wir mussten umso vorsichtiger sein, diese nicht aufzuscheuchen. Die Natur war hier so üppig und reichhaltig an Insekten. Es gab nicht nur wieder hunderte von Schmetterlingen zu sehen, es gesellten sich auch noch Libellen in unterschiedlichen Farben dazu. Schwer, diese flinken Insekten zu fotografieren.

      Wir waren durch das Tal durch und der Weg ging natürlich wieder aufwärts durch dicht bewaldetes Gebiet, der in den felsigen Untergrund gehauen wurde und dadurch auch ein gewisses Alter haben musste. Wir erreichten „Valanio“ das Heimatdorf von dem Verkäufer aus dem „Handmadeshop“ mit der Windspiel-Eule. Ein kleines und ruhiges Dorf - ein sehr beschaulicher Ort.

      Von hier an ging es fast immer durch herrlich grüne Olivenhaine. Die Luft war von vielen Aromen geschwängert und es war durch ein paar Wolken auch nicht so heiss wie an den letzten Tagen. Stellenweise hatten wir erneut den Eindruck, als gingen wir durch einen Urwald. Leicht zog der Schotterweg aufwärts und mündete in einer kaum befahrenen Straße. Von dieser ging rechts auf moosbewachsenen Steinen der Korfu-Trail auf einem kleinen felsigen Pfad nach oben. Es sollte uns letzter Anstieg für heute sein. Diese moosbewachsen Steine, der dichte Olivenhain und der felsige Pfad waren schon sehr romantisch. Nur leider sahen wir auch andere Dinge wie eine. ausrangierten Küchenherd und anderen Plastikmüll. Wirklich schade wie teilweise noch mit der Natur umgegangen wird und die Leute ihren 💩 nicht anständig entsorgen können.

      Wir erreichten unser Ziel - den Ort „Sokraki“. Wir hatten etwas Durst und auch noch etwas Zeit, so gingen wir zuerst in einen Taverne an dem Dorfplatz. Hier gab es zwei Tavernen und wir entschieden uns für die eine, die Spinatkuchen im Angebot hatte. Dazu tranken wir ein Bier und merkten, wie die Entspannung einsetzte. Gleich am Dorfplatz gab es einen „Handmade-Shop“ mit Dingen aus Olivenholz - wunderbar. Natürlich mussten wir hier auch etwas kaufen. Dann gingen wir zu unserer Unterkunft und die war wundervoll. Es gab mehrere Apartments und einen Pool. Nach einer kurzen Pause auf dem Bett, wo wir bei einem lauen Lüftchen kurz eingeschlafen sind, gingen wir in den Pool. Danach noch einmal zum Dorfplatz, weil es dort einen kleinen Minimarkt gab. Leider kein frisches Gemüse. In unserem Apartment gab es Kekse und Marmelade für umsonst. Außerdem Kaffee und Olivenöl. Als Knaller dann noch selbst hergestellten Zitronenlikör von der Mutter des Eigentümers, der uns zuvor das Apartment gezeigt hatte. Alles hier sehr entspannt und locker.
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    • Day 2

      Ipsos factos

      July 11 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

      The dinner we had last night was so good we thought there was nothing else for it but to go back to the taverna for breakfast this morning. It is fair to say that a full Greek is a much healthier option than a full English! We had juice, cheese, tomato, cucumber, olives, a small amount dead pig and what seems to be some obligatory feta. Wrapping up the savoury side was some omelette and toast. Then there was a variety of fruit and nuts with some Greek yoghurt (just called yoghurt here), honey and a strawberry and a fig marmalade. I was hoping for some figjam, but instead had to make do with telling the girls just how good I am. A couple of coffees to wash it all down and it’s hard to imagine a better start to the day. Time for a rest after that, though not for Jess who had to battle a rubbish internet connection to join a work discussion that went on way too long. The girls and I had a short stroll up to the village to check it out, there was not much to report, but we did manage to pick up the first fridge magnet of our travels.
      Soon enough Jess was done and we could go out for the afternoon. First port of call was a supermarket, we hadn’t brought suncream with us because of plane liquid rules, so this was vital in this heat. The first place we stopped all they had was 30+, we bought some and started lathering. Then got back in and headed for the delights of Ipsos. Back in 1995, Jess had spent a summer working there and to this day we hear new stories about she got up to in those wild and carefree days, quite a few of them are not suitable for a younger audience. We wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and the short answer is not much. The long answer is fairly similar. But there were shops there and we managed to pick up some 50+ suncream. You would think that would resolve our suncream issues for quite some time to come, although as I will explain later, you would be wrong.
      We were all getting hot and bothered so it was back in the car and heading a bit further up the coast to a beach so we could finally get into the water. It was nothing special but bloody amazing at the same time, the water so cool and clear and just what we needed. After a while we decided to move on and drive a bit further around, we had a bit of a plan but nothing concrete. Jess then decided that the 2 bottles of suncream just weren’t going to be enough and I decided that we would stop at the first mini-mart we saw. So we did this, but it was rubbish and there was no luck on the suncream but we picked up a few supplies we needed. Then back in the car, and 5 minutes up the road we came to a large town with a large supermarket so we stopped again, luckily our 50+ dreams came true. At this point we decided to head for home which involved some more very narrow, windy roads but we made it safely and enjoyed a cooling off swim in the pool here. It is an infinity pool that seems to have a view of half the island, it’s very cool. For dinner we thought we might wander up to the village but when we got there it didn’t seem like anywhere was doing food so we just came back to our trusty taverna. We proceeded to gorge ourselves on Greek salad (funnily enough not just called a salad) and way too much cheese, including several slabs of feta. A cold beer to wash it down with goes without saying. One of the servers is a young boy of about 10, I assume part of the family who own the place, and last night Jess was full of the joy of being here and in her kindness gave him a €5 tip. Tonight she seemed to be busy trying to partner him up with one of the girls, telling him their names every time he was at the table for no apparent reason. Anyway, at the end of the meal he came over and gave us all a complimentary ice cream, so that was €5 well spent, and needless to say he now has his choice of bride.
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    • Day 1

      If you can’t be good, be Corfu.

      July 10 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

      It's been a while but we're back. Not since the Barbenheimer release date last July has there been such an anticipation for an event. We've been to Asia, we've been to Norway, we've been to the Alps so what next, “How about Greece”, Jess said? And since she is the organiser, we were all forced to agree. Not that there was realistically any argument, who wouldn't want to spend four weeks doing a bit of Greek island hopping. One massive drawback was that for the first time in our lives we are having to travel as a five rather than as a six because Lily has less interest in spending all her time with her family and we are no longer able to force her to do what she is told. But we did manage to persuade her to join us for a week at the end, so we all have that to look forward to. Enough of the preview, on with the travels!
      Day 1 was nothing much to write home about, so mostly I won't bother. Suffice to say, there was last minute packing and cleaning to do, and a little stressing about whether we had everything we needed, almost certainly not because we are trying to travel light, we were under strict instructions. Apart from one of our group being called an effing unhelpful so-and-so who doesn't do anything, although in the interests of anonymity I will just call him 'Annoying P', it passed without event and everything got sorted and we set off for Toulouse, our departure point. Now everyone has seen an airport, they are pretty much the same the world over so nothing to report there. Same with the flight, smooth sailing all the way, but we did all keep our seatbelts on the whole way, just in case of any turbulence. We got off the plane and a bus was waiting to take us to the terminal, and although it was very hot, even at eight at night, I feel like it may have been overkill since it was literally 100 metres away.
      A hire car was next stop, and this was also very simple, apart from the guy trying to sell us insurance that we might need in case the insurance we had already paid for made us claim. I didn't really understand what he was on about and we were starting to get tired so i just said no, signed whatever he stuck in front of me, and we were on our way, we had football to watch, so needed to move quickly. As anyone who knows Jess can attest, she loves a challenge, so this is what we like to do. Tonight’s challenge was to navigate the mean streets of Corfu and drive us to our accommodation. Actually, the navigation part was down to me, and I delegated it to Google maps, so that wasn’t too much of a problem. So, to make it more challenging, in the dwindling twilight, she needed to do it in her sunglasses. Google maps threw up some obstacles, I think it may have taken us down a few dodgy options, made us hang a left at a no left turn intersection, and basically just waited until the last possible second to tell us when to turn, but we overcame them all and got out of town and on to the dark and deserted country roads, that seem to have been created before they knew how wide cars would be. Luckily, as we drove the final stretch there was nothing coming in the other direction so Jess was free to bomb along at 25mph and we arrived at our destination just after the start of the match. The taverna was shut but they said they would make us dinner anyway which was hugely appreciated as we were all starving. Very quickly we realised that being vegan was not going to be an option while we are here, if it doesn’t have meat it’s going to have cheese, and it is all sooo good. We managed to catch the end of the football and were very happy when England scored in the last minute to see off the crazy Dutch. We were all pretty worn out by this time so there was just time for a quick call to Lily to make sure she wasn’t missing us too much, which she wasn’t, and then it was time for bed. The real adventure starts tomorrow.
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    • Day 3

      A day out in Carfu

      July 12 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

      A leisurely wake up this morning, there was no need to rush so we all enjoyed a bit of an extra lie in. I whipped up a lovely breakfast of crumbled cinnamon biscuit, banana and (Greek) yogurt plus a gallon or so of coffee to set me up for the day. An awesome bit of news greeted us early today as Ruby got her results for her French bac. She checked it online and the smile spreading across her face was a good sign, 18 out of 20 in both her written and oral exams. Nothing less than expected of course, and a reward for all the hard work and procrastination throughout the year. So well done Ruby.
      One of reasons we are able to spend 4 weeks on holiday is that Jess and I work remotely, one of the drawbacks of working remotely is that we have to work when we are on holiday. So that was what the rest of the morning entailed. Luckily in these situations the girls are pretty good at amusing themselves Ruby and Allegra normally read and Tate just sleeps until she is told to get up. Crappy internet makes working more difficult than it needs to be but we get it done so we can get out. The destination today was a spectacular monastery on a hill and one of the nicest beaches on the island, as recommended by a Google search of things to do in Corfu. We set off for a 45 minute drive, appreciating the aircon in the car. As we got close to our destination the traffic started building up, it was very slow going negotiating the windy, narrow roads, other traffic and pedestrians. I’m not sure how, but it seems that word had got out about the spectacular monastery on a hill and one of the nicest beaches on the island. I blame Google. Or Instagram. Either way, and I do appreciate the irony, there’s not much I dislike more than tourists, why can’t they stay away from the cool places I want to visit. So a u-turn was in order, as well as a new destination required. First off we stopped at a Taverna for lunch in some random village, it was tasty, but our standards have been set unrealistically high so no more than a 6 out of 10.
      When we got back to our car we noticed we had a screw in one of our tyres so that caused a bit of worry, but it wasn’t flat so we decided to drive on and see how it held up. Another 45 minutes of driving to get to a different beach (search term - fairly average beaches in Corfu) on some pretty rugged roads, we really wanted to test out our tyre. We were nice and hot and ready for a swim by the time we got there, and not overly concerned that our search terms had been spot on. The water was cold and clear and that was all that mattered. After a dip we gave Lily a call, she was sitting at home resting between shifts drinking hot chocolate and feeling tired. It sucks that she is not here with us.
      After a bit longer we headed back to our villa, we realised that in order to have a 6/10 lunch and under an hour on a fairly average beach we had probably spent over 2.5 hours driving so agreed that we probably needed to plan things a bit better. Once back at the villa another end of day swim was in order to refresh and the some time to chill out and, if needed, have a bit of a nanna nap. Toasted sandwiches was the order of the day for dinner, how about a bit of feta in there, don’t mind if I do. Very tasty. We sat outside as it was a perfect evening, and the girls started working on their own blog, ‘Somebody call John Travolta’. If you can find it you may need to put it into Google Translate unless you speak teenager, I didn’t understand a word of it, and I have been doing the same things they have.
      Corfu has been a good introduction to Greece but I feel like I have seen all I really need to hear so tomorrow we are moving on to a new island.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Sokráki, Sokraki, Σωκράκι

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