May the road rise up to meet you and the wind always be at your back. – Irish blessing Despite Americans’ appropriation of Cinco de Mayo, few nations adopt another’s holidays. Outside the home country, national holidays tend to be small affairs. Americans on Corfu for the Fourth of July may burst into an off-key … More When the big blue marble turns green
The code is more what you’d call “guidelines” than actual rules. – Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean When Robie and I started cleaning out the house and preparing for this adventure, I made an exception to my rule about not reading a book twice. Because like Captain Barbossa, I believe rules should … More Toujours Provence
Every step is a destination. – Anonymous I promised my sister that on Ikaria I’d begin training for the Camino. But with the journey still ten months away, how in shape did I want to get? Besides, on a mountainous island everything Robie and I did involved a hike. Buying groceries meant a trek to … More Training for the Camino
A sunset in the Aegean includes joy and sorrow in such equal doses that in the end, only truth remains. – Greek poet Odysseus Elytis When we set out, Robie and I referred to our plan as off-season slow travel. Before we stepped off the hamster wheel, our limited vacation schedules were always a mad … More What is off-season slow travel?
You are what you eat. So don’t be fast, cheap, easy or fake. – Homer One of the best things about our roving retirement is the food. And not just the amazing cuisine we get to try, but the chance to recreate delicious dishes and add them to our repertoire. In Liverpool Robie and I … More Pork, cheese and ouzo – the new winter classic
The people you surround yourself with influence your behaviors, so choose friends who have healthy habits. – Dan Buettner Robie and I didn’t set out to age in reverse, on Ikaria it just happened. Ikaria is a blue zone – one of only five in the world – where people regularly live longer than average. … More Where people forget to die
Feel the history beneath your feet. – Anonymous You’re standing in the largest medieval square in Europe, host to one of the Continent’s biggest Christmas markets. After Mongols destroyed the city in the 13th century, a new plaza covering 9½ acres was built at the intersection of ancient trade routes with a central market surrounded … More Where are you now?
It takes a lifetime for someone to discover Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her. – Henry Miller Robie and I didn’t want to go back to Santorini. The place held too many memories. Like cruising around the caldera on a catamaran cruise and riding the rugged cliffs in … More Discovering Greece’s forgotten island
A lock, like most people, will open up with patience and a bit of kindness. – Anonymous Crime was said to be nonexistent on the island. Cars were left unlocked, bicycles unchained and homes open. People set packages down on café tables and walked away for hours. They deserted boats and cars for weeks or … More Willie Dare makes a friend
“Freedom or Death” – Motto of the City of Athens To accompany Reid’s recent post about our return to Athens, some photographs from our visit.
Reid & Robie 