SEPTEMBER IN NAXOS!

Last Monday we sailed to one of the beautiful islands in the Aegean Sea, Naxos.

It was the first time for me to be away from the city in September as I had always been at work .

 People say that September is one of the best times of the year for a mini-escape from the daily routine and that the sea  is very warm and welcoming.

 Naxos is a very picturesque island , with beautiful beaches and  loads of history.

We stayed there for just four days but I felt very happy and relaxed and enjoyed so much strolling  around the narrow ,winding streets of the old part of the town, with the white washed houses and  nice little gardens , the little tavernas, beautiful shops with souvenirs and the smell of sea breeze.

 The  little streets form a real labyrinth.

 In the past when pirates’ attacks where very frequent on the islands, people used to build their houses in such a way that they formed a fortress , a series of continuous walls  that protected them and helped them escape from the enemy. That’s why they ‘embrace’ one another and form a closely knit network of buildings, like a maze.

 I love the maze in the towns on the Cycladic islands, the little , humble houses with the painted, old, wooden doors and windows , the pots on the balconies and white stairs , 

  the cats that lie everywhere, the wind that blows and rushes through the tiny streets ,the feeling of travelling back in time , when life was so much different than today – not always easier, but attractive  for a romantic soul like mine.

 I appreciate the good work and effort and love of the people who open little enterprises  on our islands . They often create  beautiful spaces, with a very good taste and original ideas , they sell handmade goods, local produce and original souvenirs that are really worth buying –if  you can spend some money on a keep shake.

I especially liked ,in Naxos , some shops that sell handmade decorative items made of clay or wood and very  artistic pieces of jewellery at affordable prices.

  I had the best of times enjoying a cup of cappuccino on the terrace of a cafe overlooking the port . They played soft music and the décor was so simple but nice, pieces of drift wood painted white , with fairy lights  , white stools and small tables, candles and  ropes artistically presented and a lovely frothed cappuccino in a beautiful clay cup and saucer, made  my stay there worth every minute of it!

  I took lots of photos and tried to capture the beauty and serenity of the place, the good taste of amateur artists ,  the  unique combination of  colours  and the  random  yet  unique  and artistic coexistence of  various items which create a theatrical  scenery so   well presented , as if placed there by a professional hand.

Yes, it was good. Good for my heart and eyes and though it wasn’t warm enough to go swimming and lie on a sunbed for hours,

 I so enjoyed my walks in the old part of the town that it was the best time I could have had on the island to ponder over  the merit of simple things in life and the importance of aesthetic beauty in our surroundings.

 I hope you enjoyed this  trip to Naxos through my photo shots and I hope I have made you day dream for a while!

Have a lovely October!!

Tina xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx