Well here we go …….

Arrived Thursday via Brisbane, Melbourne, Abu Dhabi, Athens, Heraklion then on to my other home – Agios Nikolaos.

One day to rest then off to climb a mountain with the MiliKings near Chania to meet Joelle (Bowen family) and Lopez. I had never rock climbed or experienced a mountain before – it puts a new meaning to the song ‘Aint no mountain high enough’. Their was snow on the caps and I was proud of myself for conquering amazing fear of heights. What about those goats! It was like listening to a symphony of bells.

Then back down to Joelle’s paradise for sleep over, amazing Cretan food and a sing song with Lopez. Donkey riding with the kids and a fab yurt the Milis slept in. I slept in the resident caravan with Joelle & Seleni (that’s the dog) – funny! Thanks Joelle for a great experience.

 

 

 

On the way home a lunch stop at the famous Store 311 cafe in Rethymno – home town of beautiful Bowen buddy Antonis Xiroudakis part of the 3 Stooges.

 

Back to Agios Nikolaos for Greek cooking lessons and drinking Ouzo with Vasiliki (Christos’ Mum).

 

 

 

Thanks Vass you are beautiful, the food was great as well.

Walking the children to school each day became a highlight – never a dull moment. In fact sleeping in the kitchen suite was a hoot in itself! – especially living only with a cat in Australia.
Saying good morning 8 times over and having someone ripping into clean their teeth while sitting on throne was a hilarious event that eventually became the norm. Keeping in mind there were 9 of us in a two bedroom apartment – but that’s what you do in Greece – love it!
My adventures daily revolved between school, swimming and Gymnastiki – not to mention the many coffee’s at the Irish convention – ‘Bits and Bobs’ – Valerie’s tourist shop – where we would all congregate to discuss life, passion, the universe and maybe how many wines we may have sampled. Thanks Girls – Valerie, Sandy, Dara, Nicky, Jene and Iro and of course Orion the dog. Thank you also to Iro for the beautiful healings and introduction to ‘White time healing’.

So now it’s Wednesday which is market day. Our week ritual started first with a coffee with my beautiful Christos and Sandy took us at least an hour to make a list and sample the Bougatsa (cheese and spinach pie). Then off we go with Yiayia (the name that Sandy gave to her cart) to buy the freshest fruit and veggies, cheese and olives – Yummo!

Yasi and Toby had their birthday while I was there and we had ice cream at Dodoni – it’s unbelievable how a whole cafe can revolve around ice-cream – every kids’ dream. Definitely only for special occasions. Not to mention the delightful screaming from Yasi when she opened her One Direction DVD which I bought from Australia – knowing that she’ll be going to the concert in Paris with mum and sister Kalika.

Toby was just as impressed with his too cool sunglasses and white T-shirt. To my amazement all these children share their clothes with love. What a beautiful teaching.

 

 

 

 

Christos saw my competitive side when we went to Heraklion to watch Toby play soccer. Same rules as hockey. Christos couldn’t believe how much I was into it. I’m so competitive with my sport.

Kalika became my resident Greek teacher correcting me with all my attempts. I started off saying calamari when I meant kalimera (that is good morning).

 

 

 

 

Zoi and Emilio delighted me everyday as we still looked for those dolphins (on the way home from school) that never seemed to appear – we did see some nice fish though.
Emilio constantly hiding my toothbrush and toothpaste in the Ouzo box. Whatever else I had missing I found in the most unusual places. Thanks Emilio. And thank you to my little Zoi for her helpful hands pegging washing and also for introducing me to miniature strawberry heart ice creams from Melissa Cafe – which often interrupted her lunch but it was so much fun.

Sandy is an amazing person who taught me how to juggle life in many creative ways. When all else seemed to be coming undone just her presence could put things together in a heartbeat. Thanks so much for the late night cuppas and wines at Tutu cafe – when Christos was working and we had to be out of the apartment. We solved the problems of the world. Girl power!

 

Now what about my friend Christos – thank you for bringing me back to Crete. We never made the conference but thanks for letting me co-teach your amazing class in Crete. What a fantastic opportunity to broaden my skills in another culture. The village Laconia – where we had module 7 – was an experience in itself.

Thanks to everyone for the cooking – sitting down to a late lunch feast was a great end to each day. Big shout out to Christos for teaching and inspiring some excellent Bowen Therapists to paver he way for Bowen to grow in Agios Nikolaos.

Our two bus trips to Ierapetra were sensational. While I so busily sat on the beach or shopped Christos saw his clients – but then we always wound up with a delicious lunch and an odd wine only to sleep all the way back to Agios Nikolaos on the bus.

Our Bowen meetings in Heraklion with my buddies Christos and Antonis were crazy and enlightening to say the least. Antonis taught me how to eat traditional snails – that was a first. We didn’t see much of Heraklion – we just sat and talked and ate and drank ouzo and laughed till we hurt. Unforgettable.

We had an awesome day in Agios Nikolaos when Antonis came to visit us. We shared a ‘Yiayia banquet’ of fish chowder, stuffed peppers and Greek salad saturated with olives of course.

 

Lots of fun with the kids, a beautiful dinner at Gargadoros – which has the most amazing outlook and food. It was also Yiayia’s last night (after a two month stay) before leaving for Northern Greece. Miss you and miss your cooking. We can still hear the laughter and banter between Antonis and Yiayia. So fun.
Karaoke and pole dancing will never be forgotten – Christos was silly enough to put our name down for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and I’m sure no one will ever forget it. There were scratch marks on the ceiling from trying to reach the notes. Even the DJ said ‘I can’t believe your going to try this’ – I just laughed and said ‘We’re Aussies mate – we try anything’. I said this whilst swearing at Christos under my breath – thinking ‘I can’t believe we are doing it either’. Not to mention my mate Christos singing ‘Karma chameleon’ – one lady at the bar said to me ‘that guy with the hat has just restored my faith in karaoke’. Had my first experience with pole dancing at another bar on the way home. Could probably have hurt myself if we stayed longer. Left while I was ahead.

Jean (who is Australian, Kiwi, English lass living in Agios) introduced me to the many bars that I didn’t know existed in Agios. Thanks for the many laughs and my introduction to salsa. I think my legs are still platted and my glutes are looking great. Thanks Jene and Kursheed Irani (Bowen therapist from Australia) for teaching us some moves that made us look good – I’m sure I’m going to continue in Australia. So much fun.
I will miss the early morning swims in the beautiful beach. Freezing cold. And the perfect days of lying on the beach soaking up the Cretan sun and reading my books.
Last day now in Athens with Christos – have ticked off all our traditions.
Wine at the airport (even though it was 10am)
Coffee and ouzo and late breakfast at Athens beer bar.
Shopping for hat (tradition that I buy Christos a hat each time we see each other – no shoes this time thank goodness).

 

 

 

 

Spritz overlooking the Parthenon on the roof top of the Gand Bretagne hotel (almost needed a loan to pay for them) – we used the toilets so it made us feel like they were worth the money.
Now on top a the biggest hill in Athens (waiting for that sunset we missed last time) where our beautiful Greek friend Antonis recommend us to come.

We are actually right now waiting for the sun to go down – drinking margaritas – and we are three hours early – last time I was here in October Christos took far too long deciding what shoes he was going to buy and we missed the sunset! So this time we are here early – but I still might miss it cause I’ve had two margaritas – could pass out waiting! Ha ha!not to mention we still have to get back down the hill in my slippery shoes.

Thank you to the Milikings for a fabulous holiday AGAIN. Love Crete, love Greece, love all the people I’ve met. Bye for now…….I’ll be back!

PS – I’m going a serious detox when I get home!

By Mad Aunty Dessie

(Late edition after an incredible surprise by gorgeous friend Antonis)

Ok – the last night in Athens we have just watched an amazing Sunset at the Sky Cafe thanks to our friend Antonis for the heads up on where the best sunset viewing place is. Then we get a taxi to dinner at a place Antonis also has recommended. When we arrive, Christos shares that our Greek friend has organized to pay for our dinner as a parting gift – he had left for Istanbul on an earlier flight that morning as he had a Bowen course to attend.
As we are ringing him to thank him I hear a voice saying beside me ‘Can I help you?’ – When I look up he is standing beside me laughing with squeals of delight and Christos chanting ‘But you are in Turkey !!! From a Facebook post we had read earlier in the day!’ He even went to the effort to post a photo from Istanbul with the location of Turkey! Very sneaky! Perfect perfect twist to finish my stay thank you so much Antonis – You are amazing and funny I sooooo love surprises and that will be counted as one of the best. We finished a beautiful meal and wine with the three stooges together in Athens – just perfect!