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Leaving Crete tomorrow, after 10 very interesting days. I flew from Athens to Heraklion which is the largest Urban city of Crete. Went for an evening stroll to the seaport and walked along the giant Venetian walls (the largest in the Mediterranean) to the famous Castle. The next day I went up the winding roads through the mountains through the Lassithi plateau, to see the Psychro cave which is believed to be the birthplace of Zeus. Take a look at the cave pictures below and see the cool images of faces and beings. I headed east and stopped at a few historical spots before checking into my next place in Agios Nikolaos. This Airbnb ended up being a hotel, and it was one of my favorite places to stay for sure. I was greeted by Petros (the owner of the Mirsini Hotel), who kindly walked me to my room, presented me with a bottle of wine to enjoy the most exquisite view from my balcony. I loved that view so much, it was difficult to leave my room to see anything else :) I explored the various beaches in the area, and found that although the colors of the sea are extra ordinary, most of the beaches were rocky and if there was sand, there were chairs put on it that you had to rent. Being from Hawaii, I wasn't too impressed by the beaches. After 3 days in Agios Nikolaos, I went back on the road, up through the mountains, and back down to a small seaside village. It was so peaceful to be the only car on the road through the mountains, and a welcomed relief from the summer crowds at the beaches. The next morning as I was checking out and told hotel owner where I was going, he said it was not a good idea because there is a very strange storm coming in that could turn into an monsoon. Well here I go again, being in a place during the usual dry season and ending up getting caught in a storm. Yes, I drove anyway, over the mountains to the other side of Crete, through really intense rainfall. But, I made it! This hotel calls itself a Hybrid hotel, which means some of the rooms sleep 6 people and is like a hostel. After checking in, I went for a 8km walk along the seaside to the old port of Chiana. There is a lighthouse that some believe is naturally powered by a ley-line.... very cool :) This is the first hostel I stayed in this trip and with it comes really cool roomates :) I invited my roomies to go beach hopping with me the next day, and we had a very long, nice day. I continued beach hoping the next day by myself and found some really spectacular spots. While in Chania the weather was a bit cold, windy, and rainy... which they say is extremely unusual for this area during this time of year. The same thing happened when I was in Australia. There is DEFINITELY a global climate change going on. As much as I love the sea, I am looking forward to getting to Samothraki, and all its waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and mineral hot springs... Yay!!!! “Create. Not for the money. Not for the fame. Not for the recognition. But for the pure joy of creating something and sharing it.” ― Ernest Barbaric THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU
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Had an absolutely wonderful 8 day stay with my friend Vasiliki and her beautiful daughter Gianna in Kalamata. We swam in the sea near her home, enjoyed nice walks to the city center in the evenings, ate the most delicious home cooked food daily, visited her olive farm in the country and got to experience the small village lifestyle where Vasiliki was born and raised - this was truly one of my favorite experiences. Even though I lived my life between Hawaii and California, I moved within those states often. I never lived in one area more than 4 years. And, since I was 17, I was traveling much of the time. So, to be in a village where generations of people were born and raised in the same home, marrying their neighbors and raising their families there, eating food and making their own lotions, soaps, and natural herbal medicines from their land… I was overwhelmed in awe and Joy. I feel that on the spectrum of human lifestyle, this one is the extreme opposite of mine, and that I would rather have that one and mine than the urban way of life in the middle. I got to swim in the fresh spring water near her childhood village, and we also went to a monastery nearby and I swam in the pristine river there. As a very special treat, Vasiliki's childhood friend hosted us to stay in her beautiful home in the Ancient Olympia area so I could see the museum, and archaeological site where the first olympic games were held. Most importantly I got to nourish the very special friendship between Vasiliki and I . As I have mentioned before, there are people and places that you immediately feel a very strong connection too, and I am blessed to have such a connection with Vasaliki. What is so interesting is our personalities are very different due to our upbringing, but on a soul/spirit level, we totally resonate. I am eternally grateful for the beautiful love that flows from such a connection. One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood." - "Lucius Annaeus Seneca THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU When I told my Greek friend that I would start traveling full-time in June 2018 to pursue the Thank You for Being You project and explore the power spots of the planet, she invited me to visit her home in Kalamata Greece. I told her I have been making a list for many years of the well known places and ones that I feel are calling my soul, and Greece is not one of them. Well as always, life knows way more than I do.. Due to flight restrictions, I had to go through Greece to get to the areas in the Balkans I am interested in. Since I was going there, I started researching power and historical areas in Greece, and oh my, they seem to be never ending.. Greece has turned out to be much more than just a fly through. My first stop was in Chamolia, which is near the Athens airport and Rafina ferry port. I stayed in a Airbnb with a wonderful family, who shared with me their delicious Greek food, and all the comforts of their very sweet home. I swam in the crystal clear sea nearby, and walked from there to experience the Artemis Temple. The day after, I took the ferry to the Islands of Mykonos and Delos. Mykonos is surly beautiful, but it was Delos that touched my soul with its energy and history. Next I went by bus to the mountainous area of Delphi... and WOW, talk about power, energy, architecture, and breath taking beauty - I love it there! I explored the Ancient archaeological sites, and walked through the Delphi sea shore. Bus back to Athens and a day of being amongst the crowds at the Acropolis to see the Parthenon. After a week of planes, trains, and buses, I am looking forward to go visit my friend in Kalamata for a much needed rest :) "In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." - Khalil Gibran THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU Had a couple of days in Paris on my way to Greece. I have been to Paris a few times in my life, but this is the first time I ever did an entire city tour on one of those busses. I was lacking in sleep and walking through the city, saw the bus and decided to rest a bit. Sat on top and it was really cool to see all of the special places and listen to the audio. Not my usual way of doing things, but I enjoyed it. My highlight of Paris this trip, was on Saturday evening walking along the river and seeing people of all different ages, sitting there with their drinks, food and friends - enjoying each other's company. It was such a beautiful sight - everyone enjoying each other, connecting, sharing the love. I handed the Thank You for Being You cards too many, and in my heart I was sending it out to all! "With so many people in the world I am confident in saying, if you connect with someone on a soul level you don't take them for granted.” ― Nikki Rowe THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU |
Authorl Cher was born into a family of metaphysicians, which allowed her innate nature for questioning reality the freedom to explore. She started traveling the world at age 17 to engage with different perspectives of spirituality and Mind/Body Medicine... with her home base being Honolulu Hawaii. At 25 she had her first child and started her private practice as a Mind/Body/Spirit Educator, Therapist. She also owned a Yoga School, founded a Divorce Center for Women, and was the founder of a Re-programming Center for Women and Children. Now she is an empty nester, she is devoting the next phase of her life to travel the world and connect with as many people as possible - sharing her love and gratitude for life, our planet, all beings, and all that exists. Archives
August 2023
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