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Post by lugg on Oct 16, 2022 20:15:24 GMT
This will likely be a slow post and may be of little interest to many as really this is just about the images I took a few weeks ago. Kefalonia has much more to offer than I am able to show but I was limited by 1. The extremely scary roads which made driving on the right even more challenging for me /us and 2. My crap knee which limited my explorations even further. Anyway I think it is a stunning Greek island and probably the most beautiful out of the handful I have visited, mountainous, ften green, varied from arid to fertile and such lovely , welcoming people. Info here … en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CephaloniaIf you followed the link you will understand that the island has been devastated by earthquakes in the past but also fairly recently. A series of four earthquakes hit the island in August 1953, and caused major destruction, with virtually every house on the island destroyed. The third and most destructive of the quakes took place on 12 August 1953 at 09:24 UTC (11:24 local time), with a magnitude of 6.8 on the Moment magnitude scale. Its epicentre was directly south of the southern tip of Cephalonia, and caused the entire island to be raised 60 cm (24 in) higher, where it remains, with evidence in water marks on rocks around the coastline. The 1953 Ionian earthquake disaster caused huge destruction, with only regions in the north escaping the heaviest tremors and houses there remaining intact. Damage was estimated to run into tens of millions of dollars, equivalent to billions of drachmas, but the real damage to the economy occurred when residents left the island. The majority of the population left the island soon after, seeking a new life elsewhere. And just a few years ago also had to major damage and needed to recover following a medicane ; a term I had never heard of before prior to researching my trip. And finally, in the way of info, it is the setting for Louis de Bernières , Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. It has an airport which makes access fairly easy but generally for many reasons Kephaloniat has ( in the main) escaped the impact of massive tourism that has blighted a few other Greek islands Anyway I will start with where we stayed, a lovely house in Agia Efimia ( Ag Efimea on the map below) . We chose it because it was close to several tavernas, bars , shops etc and most importantly was on the flat, not easy to find in such a mountainous country. Another factor was that it is pretty central on the island, allowing us to explore as much as we wanted fairly easily. Map of Kefalonia.. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52431914397_d5549b053c_o.jpg Our house in Ag. Efimia was very comfortable, Pretty from the outside, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386068633_bc35172960_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386162874_ef538751a7_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386094858_3cd3644bed_c.jpgAnd the inside and the garden courtyard did not disappoint either, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385853816_9333d33200_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386094593_08f0f736fa_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385853656_593b5f8983_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386093963_f2823f7a14_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386095053_b2c1603c61_c.jpg# Our first taste of Kephalonian wine was a welcome and surprise gift from the owner, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386284330_82e2d9462d_c.jpgAg Efimia is a small village / harbour of about 450 residents but in the summer swells to home tourists and as a harbour caters for the sailing fraternity, First morning, I got up early to wander around , look at the boats and watch the sun rise in the village, of course facing east I hoped it was going to be impressive ..and it was. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386092268_f986900536_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386282470_e590bd325c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384922807_52ac1c833a_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386280960_e966039ce6_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386281410_ebeec7a921_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385849636_49b07b636e_c.jpgEarly morning sunlight reflected back on the buildings in the village live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386158024_5ce0b9ca5d_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385849251_18dccc359d_c.jpgMore to follow …
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Post by onlyMark on Oct 17, 2022 5:24:09 GMT
Lugg, Over forty years ago I had a number of holidays Greek island hopping on the ferries. About the first I ever went to is this one and I stayed in that village. I remember nothing about it so it's a pleasure to see this. Lovely photos.
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Post by kerouac2 on Oct 17, 2022 5:30:16 GMT
The sunrise is beautiful, but I also know how hot that sun can get at certain times.
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Post by bjd on Oct 17, 2022 5:38:14 GMT
I'm sure you spent lots of time in that courtyard -- it looks so pleasant. Looking forward to more.
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Post by fumobici on Oct 17, 2022 18:22:23 GMT
The house looks perfect.
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Post by lugg on Oct 17, 2022 19:00:08 GMT
ugg, Over forty years ago I had a number of holidays Greek island hopping on the ferries. About the first I ever went to is this one and I stayed in that village. I remember nothing about it so it's a pleasure to see this. Lovely photos Wow I wonder if it has changed much Mark ? The sunrise is beautiful, but I also know how hot that sun can get at certain times. fortunately in September the firceness of the sun is reduced , plus we were acclimatised from the hot UK summer ... the sea was lovely and warm I'm sure you spent lots of time in that courtyard -- it looks so pleasant. Looking forward to more. I'm sure you spent lots of time in that courtyard -- it looks so pleasant. Looking forward to more. We did indeed such a lovely place to chill. The Kefalonian cats agreed too. it was fab - had everything we needed for our 2 week stay. |
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Post by onlyMark on Oct 17, 2022 19:28:32 GMT
Lugg, I bet it's been tarted up since I was there (1979ish).
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Post by mich64 on Oct 17, 2022 23:49:01 GMT
Great start Lugg. It seems serene and relaxing and the your accommodations look great! Wonderful photos so far.
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Post by lugg on Oct 18, 2022 20:15:43 GMT
Thanks Mich and ...I guess so Mark.
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Post by mich64 on Oct 19, 2022 23:52:53 GMT
I just noticed the washer Lugg, excellent!
I have been searching AirBnb and VRBO rentals for a possible holiday next year and I added a washer to my filter search. We downsized our luggage on our recent trip and dropped a load at a wash/dry and fold because we were staying in hotels but next year we are looking for an apartment rental. Was there a clothes line to hang any laundry?
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Post by lugg on Oct 20, 2022 20:17:32 GMT
Was there a clothes line to hang any laundry? I am with you Mich re washer given we all want to travel light. Yes there was a clothes line outside. And a small dishwasher too .. Happy days |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Oct 21, 2022 6:11:02 GMT
Looks fab, great images Lugg x
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Post by lugg on Oct 21, 2022 19:37:16 GMT
Thank you Cheery
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Post by lugg on Oct 21, 2022 19:39:21 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Oct 22, 2022 16:08:42 GMT
Looks like a very appealing place.
Are the metal bands around the trees near the balcony to deter squirrels or other possible pests?
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Post by htmb on Oct 23, 2022 5:55:42 GMT
Lovely house and gorgeous sunrise! The island looks like the perfect place to relax!
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Post by lugg on Oct 24, 2022 19:23:45 GMT
The island looks like the perfect place to relax! Thank you - it was. I will get round to adding to this post tomorrow /next few days. |
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Post by lugg on Oct 24, 2022 19:25:07 GMT
Looks like a very appealing place. Are the metal bands around the trees near the balcony to deter squirrels or other possible pests? Thank you - I am not sure - maybe to stop the cats climbing them. I did not see any squirrels but uess there may be some on the island. |
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Post by lugg on Oct 26, 2022 19:05:02 GMT
Ok onto other parts of the island Very close to where we were staying is Melissani Lake within a large cave. Probably one of the most visited tourist attractions– and a draw for the cruise ship passengers after their ships have docked in Argostoli. We checked and made sure that there were no cruise ships in port on the day we planned to visit so the queues to get in were not too long. We also wanted to see at the best time – around midday. More info here kefaloniaway.com/en/melissani/kefaloniageopark.gr/en/node/302The name "Melissani" comes either from the nymph "Melissanthi" who committed suicide by falling into the waters of the cave after god Pan rejected her love or from folk tradition after the maiden shepherd Melissanthi who accidentally fell in the cave, searching for her lost sheep or less likely has its roots in Homer’s Odyssey where the cave is cited as the home of Melisses (human souls, literally “bees”) and after laying his eyes on it, following Goddess Athena’s suggestion, Odysseus recognized his homeland. The use of the cave as a sacred site in antiquity has been documented from excavations on the small islet in the center of the lake, which yielded 4th and 3rd century BC artifacts that attest the worship of the half- goat god Pan and the Nymphs (hence the Melissani Cave is also called the Nymph Cave). The factors that seem to have made the cave ideal as a place of worship were its vaulted shape, its inaccessibility, and the presence of the aquatic element along with the vegetation and the complex geometric surfaces formed by stalactites. Essentially the lake lies within a cave which has a large portion of open roof , parts of the roof collapsed following an earthquake. The water travels underground from the other side of the island, near Argostoli - Katavothres, (which means sinkholes or swallow holes). Seawater flows into sinkholes and disappears underground. 1963 Austrian geologists poured dye into the water and found that the seawater crosses the island underground and reappears after 14 days , flowing into lake Melissani and from there back into the sea. So it has travelled a distance of about 9 miles and has in fact travelled uphill. Access to the lake via a tunnel was apparently created in 1963. I think the entry fee was 8 euros ?? live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386146454_c88d52cab7_c.jpgOnce at the lake boats take you for a look around. You can see in this image how going when the sun is high overhead affects the colour of the water turning it an incredible blue live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386145854_25fcced0d6_c.jpgThe images below give a better idea of the first cave chamber which has the open roof, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384904127_7ca795c289_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386267545_4649df89f2_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385836501_d41b7f5c45_c.jpgEntry into the second chamber is through a narrow channel live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384907477_b28b9c0609_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386265910_56bc27ee94_c.jpgThis was a complete surprise to me as all the tourist info seems just to feature the first chamber but it was really spectacular, amazing stalactites and stalagmites; which must be thousands of years old I guess and the many differing shades of colours were stunning. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385834586_2437e8b83c_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386074463_814ee9118f_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386142639_743f876645_c.jpgReturning the same way we had come in, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386073428_ba90aa4568_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386073023_5f265eca55_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386263350_df9b37176e_c.jpgSo where does the water go to when it leaves Melissani ? Apparently it re -enters the sea at Karavomilos just a few hundred meters or so away. There is another lake here, unfortunately most of the of the cave which links to Melisanni photos I took are fails , as I could just not get out of the sun properly . live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385781451_09f51a2d16_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386211965_bd742937b5_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386089679_df3109f7b3_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386212410_cc52b8fbc6_c.jpgGeese and ducks enjoy the brackish water which is channelled from the lake passed an old water powered wheel and then back into the sea. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386210340_e6b3b70cc7_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386212410_cc52b8fbc6_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384852517_4a851e9858_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386089284_a58dbd905c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385780171_fd0006d3af_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386018733_6798811071_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386087354_a348b4524e_c.jpgMore to follow. |
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Post by tod2 on Oct 30, 2022 16:29:40 GMT
Wonderful pics Lugg. Cant wait to see more!
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Post by lugg on Nov 23, 2022 8:08:36 GMT
Thanks Tod - I will get around to finishing this report now I am feeling human again
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Post by lugg on Dec 2, 2022 18:47:57 GMT
I am going to race through now in order to finish this report. Apologies for the delay. Ithaca – sister island to Kefalonia A boat journey from Ag. Efimia with about 4 stops circumnavigating to get a taster for this island. I plan to go back some time to stay there, such a gorgeous place.. On the way leaving Ag Efimia live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386114764_ecfc71a722_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385805506_2fbaf9ce41_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386235555_43285f0b38_c.jpgFirst stop for a swim at a deserted beach .. Gidaka live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385804576_45f7ac1c24_c.jpgThe colours of the sea and beach were so beautiful, the beach bar almost deserted, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385803966_5ea58ef842_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386042838_aafd351b18_c.jpgThen onto our first stop Vathy – the capital. Vathy is built at the end of a long narrow inlet that opens out into a harbour. Like Kephalonia it was devastated by the 1953 earthquake and since the 70s any re building /renovations must be done in the original Venetian style. On the way into Vathy we passed the islet of Lazaretto which was used as a quarantine island for sailors and also a prison. Now it hosts weddings etc in the church ; Transfiguration of the Saviour, built in 1668. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386111319_69d96c1518_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384873727_10cafc182f_c.jpgVathy harbour.. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385803036_06fb025acb_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386110884_d8d053a6f7_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386110979_54dbcce788_b.jpgA little of what I saw in Vathy.. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386038793_8a482ce972_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386108309_a5982dfc3e_c.jpgI wandered up to the Church of Agios Nicholaos of Xenon live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385801286_eba7837203_c.jpgand had a look inside ..but just from the entrance , live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386041213_d63b4b0291_c.jpgI did not know at the time that there is a famous icon at the back of the church painted by El Greco – you can see a glimpse of it in the photo above on the back wall I think, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385801626_6418b601c9_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386232205_f422e034e6_c.jpgWandering through the shops, a mixture of domestic and tourist types.. This is as close to a market that this part of Greece gets to – there are no markets such as we know them . live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386231600_388730dbbd_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385800776_f858937bfa_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385800526_7e2ddfe28e_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386039448_4c45860cca_c.jpgIthaca, Greece, is also known as the island of Odysseus, the mythological Greek hero and king of the island. I went to look at the statue built in his honour in the harbour close to the water. It is the work of sculptor Korina Cassianou, who comes from Ithaca . There are two distinct sides …on one .. Odysseus is brawny and haughty, looking at the sea and what the future holds, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384871957_6269383352_c.jpgThe other he is tired and old, paddling back to Ithaca to reach the faithful Penelope. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384871797_374d5335de_c.jpgTime was short I would have liked to explore further but it was time to head back to the boat; There was a rather splendid up market cruise ship anchored in the bay – my sis and I later looked it up – beyond our price range unfortunately live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385798821_0ca53ca09e_c.jpgOn the way out of the deep inlet we passed some windmills that have been converted into luxurious homes , one apparently owned by Rowan Atkinson, and the picturesque chapel ; Agios Andreas live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385797881_7c3c809516_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384869777_9918b68d8f_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386106309_335d28b356_c.jpgNext stop Kioni – for lunch this time On our way in we passed the old mills in use up until just after WW1. Now I guess some developers would love to get their hands on them , live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384868992_46a4a8150e_c.jpgThe harbour is again exceptionally pretty, lined with tavernas for locals and tourists live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386036868_c5146d01a2_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384868202_d726ce5e81_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385796411_fa31db0442_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385796051_6d67ee51b6_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386104484_358e87d144_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386104169_407ecd550e_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386104079_e312a532bb_c.jpgLunch - We opted for an Ithacan speciality – onion pie which was delicious, perhaps the photos do not do it justice, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386226585_ce7c5e9d66_c.jpgOn our way home sailing back on the opposite side of the island with one more swim stop. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384866627_a7c1a7d9f0_c.jpgLast section of this postcode to follow. |
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Post by lugg on Dec 2, 2022 19:22:02 GMT
Now ..I will just show random photos that I took as we explored Kefalonia with our hire car Inland it is remarkably green with vineyards and olive groves interspersed with cypress and other trees, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386034448_4b85b70231_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384863852_28a9fa6e63_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384863692_c55c6671ff_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386103029_150eec4f3c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384864282_75bd52acaa_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385840116_5624ae7e27_c.jpgThe roads are mountainous and quite scary to drive at times, but the views are usually stunning, Occasionally hazardous as the goats pay no attention to the traffic and are everywhere, fortunately the ringing of their bells helps to discern there presence live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386080668_2636d5342c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386084229_1ba57c246a_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386205125_4470ceb8c7_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384845502_f0daeac3a8_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384845177_a922f64ab9_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384928687_e509c0db3f_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384897792_a1f4c45772_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386134299_aa0a6be7a2_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386065878_0993df4846_c.jpgA quick stop at a goat-man’s house to buy a bell to bring home as a souvenir, It was easy to find it as we drove through the tiny village , bells of every shape and size, priced from just a few euros to too many euros live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384911942_5f4a2d9996_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386270595_67b32d2584_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386147824_3b4a90da46_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385838781_7eefb4e41a_c.jpgThe island has a plethora of beautiful beaches from sandy , to shingle to pebbles . live.staticflickr.com/65535/52386133279_eaeb15efbb_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386254475_27d9e5a11b_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386153744_bf8a3be87d_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386272110_441d1c125c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385791341_1a1548b837_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384857167_29468af694_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386017863_4ece00a77e_c.jpgThe water was generally clear, calm and warm. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52440369368_20d5bf6689_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52440301575_74494d342a_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52440124459_1066ca22a5_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52440363158_4300b7b64e_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52439836291_88fed34127_c.jpgJust before I finish I will just show you a little of Argostoli , the capital. We stayed here at the end of our holiday for just one night so we were close to the airport for our journey home. We barely scratched the surface but decided it would make an ideal base for a few days on any future holiday. The harbour is a major draw for tourists and locals alike – ferries and tourist boat trips leave from here, fishermen unload their catch , tavernas and etc. all line the front. live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384844132_03c8d4d735_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386150769_abaace7fea_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386082913_1f13fdcd4b_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386082618_f5abe9ee08_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385843366_c899be1dba_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385988113_4e4867ea77_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384826177_e2af0e7ebe_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386185050_0cb985ce50_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386081079_9bafc593b6_c.jpgBehind the harbour are pedestrianised squares and avenues which come alive at night, live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384842497_74e9a27ffd_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386079939_427b5f5316_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52384927627_3f5b2eae28_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386007723_305f17953a_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386076764_349cd48f4c_c.jpgBut the most photographed ,famous residents of Kefalonia are found here and are a highlight for many visitors. I will finish this report with a few pics of these majestic creatures – the Caretta Caretta. / Loggerhead turtles. Whilst the turtles can be found around the island and nest on the sandy beaches of the south a few seem to have made a relatively permanent home in Argostoli. Some info here, wildlifesense.com/en/volunteer/argostoli-area/live.staticflickr.com/65535/52385988828_d34718ac68_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52386181125_aa5775abf4_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/52385994238_f790476151_c.jpg |
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Post by bjd on Dec 2, 2022 19:53:25 GMT
Nice, Lugg. It looks as though you chose a great time to go there -- sunny weather and some tourists around but not huge crowds on the town squares.
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Post by kerouac2 on Dec 2, 2022 21:21:49 GMT
Outstanding landscapes, lugg. I confess that I despise all of those signs everywhere in the world saying "I love XYZ." I know they are imposed by Instagram, etc.
What is floating in that cocktail?
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Post by bjd on Dec 3, 2022 7:22:55 GMT
What is floating in that cocktail? It looks like a piece of fresh fig. |
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Post by lugg on Dec 3, 2022 18:38:08 GMT
It looks as though you chose a great time to go there -- sunny weather and some tourists around but not huge crowds on the town squares. It was a great time Bjd - nice weather not too hot , everything open but without the crowds as you say |
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Post by lugg on Dec 3, 2022 18:39:28 GMT
I confess that I despise all of those signs everywhere in the world saying "I love XYZ." I know they are imposed by Instagram, etc. What is floating in that cocktail? I agree - it took an age for me to get a photo without someone posing in the heart . The cocktail is a Pornstar Martini - so it is half a passion fruit. Rather lovely. |
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