Ithaka

Heading out of Sivota the next day we caught a great wind and sailed at about 6-9 knots heading to a small uninhabited island of Atokos where the boys found some absurdly high rocks to jump off, causing slightly anxiety in their over anxious Greek mother. You can just about spot them on the top. We went on a long snorkel marvelling at how the sea floor suddenly plunged into great depths and darkness while in the light of the shallows we enjoyed seeing small schools of darting fish, some parrot fish, urchins and big bright black and orange star fish.

From Atokos we crossed to Ithaka probably my favourite spot of the whole trip and parked in a bay that was breathtaking. Here is the bay:

We walked into the hills covered with pine trees and sage bushes. We collected sage as we walked along and as we brushed the bushes the sweet smell filled the air. Sage therefore was the herb of choice and we used it to make tea, put in pasta, bake with potatoes and in salads. We walked over the hills to the Schinios Cape where the green from the trees was reflected in the water. The water was cool and refreshing and so so clear. Our port that evening was Kioni in the north of Ithaka where we had to dock a little away from the land so we needed to use the dinghy to get on land. There was an awful lot of slipping and sliding getting in and out especially after several glasses of good local wine. We walked around the sweet peaceful village where we talked to a Greek lady about her beautiful passion fruit which she brought from south Africa and admired the wonderful colours of the local plums.

Round the bay

As we rounded the bottom of Lefkada we stopped at a bay with sheer faces and red cliffs. We swam and explored the little beach to the side and headed into the port of Sivota. Round the bay tucked away between two hillsides it nestled happily in the middle and brought to us a lovely harbour for the evening, a delicious fish dinner and a small walk on the quay side.

First Stop - Lefkada

The island of Lefkada is one of the bigger islands of the Ionian. Lefkada may have got its name from its washed white cliffs on the north side of the island. They were our first stop - a place called Engremmoi. The more popular Porto Katsiki is just a little way down, both setting high standards for the beaches and coast lines we were going to encounter on this journey.

Off to save the Euro

My origins are half Greek and half Cypriot so it was clear that part of the summer would have to be spent saving the Euro - well at least injecting some Euros into the Greek Economy. Our choice was sailing in the Ionian sea.

For those of my readers who may not be so familiar with the Greek world the Ionian sea is the sea between Greece and Italy. It is graced by some of Greece's most beautiful and historical islands like Corfu and Ithaca.

Ithaca was the name of the island home of Odysseus in the epic Ancient Greek poem the Odyssey by Homer. The islands were settled by Greeks at an early date, possibly as early as 1200 BC, and certainly by the 9th century BC.They then went through a number of different rulers but finally became part of the Greek mainland. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip was born a Greek prince on the island of Corfu and Captain Corellis Mandolin took place on the island of Keffalonia.

So it was with great excitement that we set off from Athens to go to Lefkada to find our boat and our skipper. The rendez vous was in the Marina of the port of Lefkada and it is there that we were excited to see that our sailing boat was called IONIO - a boat of the sea we were to sail in. Our skipper Yiannis was waiting for us and after a night in the Marina we set off early the next day.

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Caption capers

I take total delight in going through the paper, The Times of India , every morning - a cup of coffee in hand, the fan on full and not a soul to disturb me. Its a rich resource and one which astounds me as it is offered at the unbelievable price of 5 Rupees. That is the amazingly low price of GBP 0.05p to you and me. The English is a little old fashioned but much fun.It has introduced me to words I had never heard of  and has explained Indian politics and current events in an informative and possibly fair manner though, not being Indian I may not be a good judge of that. What I love best are the quirky captions which are just hilarious.

Doors with motion sensors at AIIMS let in monkeys. Times of India 9.07.2011

Teacher comes to school drunk, makes girls dance, boys sing, held.Times of India 13.07.11

Doc pulls out wrong tooth, finds it in the bin and replants it 2 hrs later. The Times 12.09.11

20 traffic cops flunk fitness test, rested. Times of India 19.10.11

Fats in the fire as edible oil prices rise 10% Times of India 3.04.12

Milk on the boil , prices set to rise.

Goa ice cream shop owner filmed urinating in Milkshake container.  Times of India 21.06.12

Hindu marriages tie non Hindus in knots. Times of India 24.06.12

Women join Q for the right to P !

Weaving in and out and feeling your way round

Quite a novel way to do things but that is exactly what I did a few days ago when I went round with an eager group of women to Nehru Place, the quintessential place for weaves, silks, cottons, shawls and scarves, upholstery, broderie anglaise and applique work. Running your finger tips across the fine cotton and feeling the weight of the silk and the brocades, the embroidery and the beading and getting a feel for the weight of a fabric, the way it falls and then letting your mind run away with what you can create from it.

All this under the instructive and creative eye of Ros Miscamble, an Australian friend with fabulous taste who creates lovely linen and cotton dresses tops and trousers from her many trips to this fascinating place. You could say she was a fabric fiend and it would be a real compliment. So rich pickings of that day for you:

Some of the more glamorous materials

A few of the silks

If you want to connect to Ros go to:  http://www.rjmcollection.com.au/summer2012/Summer2012Catalogue.pdf

Rudraksha Beads

They come from the Rudraksha tree found mainly in Nepal and Java.They are possibly the equivalent of what in my country would be called a "komboloi" or worry beads. They are often worn by monks for tranquility and to help concentration. An exhibition of Rudraksha beads was on at the Cottage emporium in Janpath but also we are told that a Rudraksha Museum is being planned as well. So watch out for this.  

What is interesting is that they are advertised as being beneficial for all and with instant benefits, though other benefits may take time. The following was taken from an interview I saw in the newspaper:

Can all wear Rudraksha ?

"Yes everyone irrespective of sex, age , culture, ethnic geographical and religious background can wear it."

Then further on : Can ladies wear it ???

"Yes they can, barring those 4-5 days when nature is at work. Is it that only hindus can wear it? No all can wear, Sun, Moon, Stars, rivers and plants have no religion !"

There are Rudrakshas for People in Service, for Business Power, executives and Businessmen, for Industrialists and Speculators and even an exclusive combination for people with High ambitions ! 

Amazing explanations, amazing foresight ensuring all are covered -These pictures have been taken from 

Wikipaedia as I didnt have any of my own but the last one is one of the exhibition I went to.

 

The exhibition was very crowded , people were being assessed for their needs and workers were on hand to make up the various necklaces and bracelets. One person told me that they are a very old and hallowed practice which is found in old scriptures so there must be something there. Cant wait to try them !