Santorini Saves The Day!

Judging from my previous posts, I’m sure you guys have been able to deduce that I haven’t really been having the best time in Greece. I felt like an old granny in Corfu, was a little taken aback by the graffiti all over Athens, and I was practically Tom Hanks in Castaway at Naxos. I was honestly ready to write Greece off as an utter disappointment – until I got to Santorini.

Ah. Santorini! Thank goodness for Santorini!

Over the edge...

There is a reason why this little island is so popular among tourists. Even some of the Greek locals from the other islands admitted to Santorini’s picturesque beauty and appeal.  It really is, breathtakingly beautiful.

I love photogenic places. The way the houses are built alongside a cliff/mountain reminds me of Cinque Terre. Super charming, colorful and cute!

My Italy away from Italy in Greece <3

FIRA

Santorini has several different towns… The capital being Fira, where I stayed. I lucked out on the hostel that I found. It’s called, Caveland, and you literally stay in rooms that look like caves… and they are magnificent!

How COOL is my cave? :) I've got a HUGE  receiving area! :)

Easily one of the best hostels I’ve booked in Europe. :)

It’s a bit of a walk to Fira, but the price, cleanliness, beauty and overall experience of the hostel makes the 25 minute journey on foot worth it.

I can imagine Fira during the summer months being crazy, overcrowded, hot and unpleasant. During off season however, which is right now, Fira is really lovely. The town is still dotted with restaurants and shops that are open for business, with prices hiked up to cater to tourists who don’t mind paying an exorbitant amount of money,  because of the joy THIS VIEW brings…

I have to admit to being one of those… I couldn’t help but agree to pay for a 6 Euro beer and an 8 Euro Greek Salad to sit and watch the sunset from this viewpoint.

OIA

Pronounced as “Ee-yah” is another town north of Fira, even more popular for the views and the sunset.  Oia’s views are what we normally see on postcards and photos around the internet.  I personally like Oia better than Fira, even if both are so similar in appearance. Oia just has a more chill vibe, and in my opinion, more photogenic.

Oia's Spectacular Views

Same View - Different Light. Sunset!

A Candid Shot of a Couple At Sunset :) 

NEW FRIENDS

I did a Santorini Island Ferry Tour and met quite a few other travelers!

Aussie cuties on vacation before going to Uni…

With Catherine and The Young Aussie Cuties

English ladies on a mini holiday – whom I ended up hanging out with on more than one occasion…

Catherine, Manisha and Laura with me in Oia

A Group Shot in Oia

And a new friend from Melbourne, who is now my new Greece travel buddy!  Catherine is one of the guests staying at Caveland with me, who I later found out, has actually read and been following my blog! She found the review I did on the backpack that she purchased months ago, and it dawned on her that it was MY blog when I gave her my business card!

With my new travel buddy, Catherine :)

Isn’t it cool how things like that work? The world gets smaller and smaller every day! J

It has been an AMAZING few days in Santorini. I’m SO happy that it single handedly changed my mind about Greece. I am no longer disappointed. What I am now, is pleased and content. Greece actually IS what everyone made it out to be. Well, at least, Santorini is. 

Perfect Sunset brought to us by Oia.

I’m off to Mykonos next. No expectations there though. I’ve had my Greece fix… and they say Mykonos is more known for the beaches rather than photographic beauty anyway… So I’m just gonna go and see if I can take this new tan a little further than what it is now. J

As my Big Fat Greek Adventure ends… another one soon begins. Next time you hear from me… I will be in the holy land of Israel.

Wish me luck! :)

If You Were Stranded On A Greek Island...

What would you do?

OK, well, I'm not exactly stranded. Not really.

After I left The Pink Palace in Corfu, I ventured out into Athens for a few days to be a proper tourist. I saw what I needed to see over there... The Acropolis, the Parthenon, plus a whole bunch of other ruins made familiar to me by Greek Mythology.

The Acropolis from my hostel balcony

View of Athens from a hill with my walking tour buddies

NAXOS

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

3 full days and a 6 hour ferry ride later, I find myself in Naxos... A small island south of the main land, about an hour and a half away from Santorini. I am here for yet another HelpX adventure... Well, if you can call it that.

See, the nice thing about being in Greece in October is that it's not too crazy, the tourists have left, and the weather is perfect. Not scorching hot, but sunny enough to get a tan. It's nice. The downside to being in Greece in October is that... because the tourists are gone, most of the hotels, hostels and businesses close down shop... If you're in a big and bustling city like Athens, you're fine. It'll just be a bit quieter but it's still really nice.

BUT... if you're in a tiny village in a relatively less touristy island like, Naxos... Well... it makes you come up with blog titles like, "If You Were Stranded On A Greek Island..."

In all fairness, I was warned by my host that it is off season, the work would be very light, and that it will be very relaxing. I'm staying at a small hotel right in front of the beach. There are no guests, and the only occupants are myself, my boss, and his (very sweet) mother who doesn't speak English.

When I got here, my boss basically said that I wouldn't need to do much till the rain comes, so I should just relax. They showed me to my room, fed me some amazing Greek food, which were all pretty awesome.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

After a day of staring at the clear blue Mediterranean waters... It occurred to me that I might actually not know how to "relax" properly! Seriously!

I am here in Greece... Staying at a beachfront hotel - for free... I have the sea, the sun, food, nature... I can swim for miles in the water so clear and so flat, I feel like I could just keep swimming till I hit the horizon... And yet, I'm stressed out! Because in my mind - there is absolutely nothing to do! What the hell is wrong with me?

This is where I am. The village of Apollonas, from my hotel room balcony. I am really
lucky with balconies!

I don't know, man. Maybe because I signed up to work... and if there's no work, I feel unproductive. I am about 2 hours away from Naxos town, so I can't really leave to go "exploring". There are no guests to talk to or entertain... No kids to drive me nuts... My boss is a little quiet, and his mother doesn't speak English.

I've had an amazing experience traveling by myself so far, but I think this is the first time I've actually felt really alone. I have discovered that I am not meant for solitary island confinement. Island living, sure… but there has to be people in the island!

I feel a little guilty for feeling this way… Especially since I know for a fact that most of the people I know back home would rather be where I am right now, instead of whichever cubicle they are in. Then again, just like everything else, I suppose there should be a good balance.

Solitary confinement in a beautiful island versus a hectic 12 hour workday in a bustling city life could hardly be compared to each other. Give me a nice island after a productive 6 hour day of work with good company and I will be as chipper as a woodpecker!

Oh well. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t make the most out of any situation… And so I will do my best to even out my tan, read as many books as I could, swim some laps in the ocean, maybe do some hiking out in the mountains – and who knows… I might come out of this gig all refreshed and healthy :)

Thursday, October 17, 2013

There is a lightning storm on the island. The waves are crashing violently, all the stores are closed, and we are trapped inside the hotel for the rest of the day.

HELP.

When Age Starts Catching Up

It’s weird when you get reminded of your age all of a sudden.

All throughout this trip, people have constantly commented on how I look or seem younger than I really am. At 31, I’ve been mistaken for a kid in my early 20’s – which is a great compliment, considering the fact that growing up in the Philippines, I’ve always been mistaken for someone way older. In fact, on Sundays at church with my family, people thought my brother and I were married, and that my youngest sister was our daughter(and I was still in high school then).

Now, things are reversed… and I’m so happy that my Asian ageless genes are finally kicking in!  Whoopee!

I’d like to think I look a little younger because I FEEL younger. I’m not as agile or energetic as I was when I was 20, but I’m strong, pretty athletic, and sometimes even naïve to a fault.

At the moment, however… I feel like a granny.

For the past week, I’ve been staying at this party hostel in Corfu, called, The Pink Palace. It’s probably as cliché a party hostel can get… With guests drinking all night, and toga parties are thrown, and people getting naked for whipped cream infused body shots… You know, normal stuff that you’d think happens at “party hostels”.

And while all of that is happening, you will find me either in the corner of the bar, drinking my beer in solitude while I Facebook my friends, or in the comfort of my own bed, snoozing like a baby… BY CHOICE.

Yeah... No. Been there. Done that. 

Am I nuts to think I'm too old for this??

I don’t know how this happened though. I mean I’m still pretty outgoing and friendly… and I talk to every new guest that arrives and make friends with them easy. It’s the “partying hard” thing that I feel like I’ve grown numbness to. I feel like I’ve developed a reputation for being a “loner”… because after having a beer or two after dinner, and just when things start to get “hot and heavy” at the bar, I sneak out and go to bed. 

When I see some of the guests “Woo-ing” after taking a shot, I shake my head and think, “Ayayay… these kids…”

It’s so weird! 

Sometimes I think, maybe this just isn’t my thing anymore… I mean, not that it ever was… I was never much of a “clubber”… but I’ve always been a joiner at least. A few years ago, even if I thought it was stupid, heck yeah I’d take shots and be stupid in the name of fun, especially if I were on vacation. And I’d be the FIRST one to whip out my camera to take photos!

But for some bizarre reason… Here in Corfu at this hostel… I’m not feeling it. 

A beautiful sunset on our beach front

A lot of things might have contributed to my current behavior, and these are my theories. 

First – maybe because I’m “working” here, and not “partying”… and I take too much pride in my work to even consider letting loose and making a bad impression on my hosts.

Second – maybe because I *am* older… and my definition of “partying hard” is just completely different now. I like hanging out and getting a few drinks and listening to live music with friends… and I still go completely wild over karaoke. I do NOT like taking shots, nor having other people taking shots over my naked body covered in whipped cream.

Third – maybe because I miss Italy and the friends I’ve made so much over there… that I think I’m still in my mourning phase. 

Maybe it’s all of the above. 

It’s a shame though, because I’ve looked forward to visiting Greece for so long… and I’d hate to leave it feeling disappointed. 

However – it hasn’t been all that bad.  It’s not the worst thing in the world spending my days on this island. It has a sleepy town village kind of feel, but it’s really pretty. The beach isn’t anything special though, I have to admit… but it’s a great feeling waking up to the sound of the waves. 

It also turns out that an old friend of mine lives here in Corfu, and he took me on a grand tour of the island last Sunday --- and THAT was pretty spectacular. 

I *have* made some friends here though… I haven’t been a complete hermit. Almost all the travelers I’ve met are younger too… Early 20’s… And I think it’s fantastic that these kids are traveling while they’re young. That’s the way to do it! While you’re young, and while you still can.

Maybe that’s another contributing factor to why I feel like such an old timer: I’m surrounded by kids!

Oh well. I’m only going to be here until tomorrow, and then I’m on a 9 hour bus ride to Athens! YAY Athens! I’m looking forward to some Greek Mythology action, so hopefully I find my youth again as I gawk at the Parthenon in awe.

In the meantime... I gotta go to bed. It's 9:14 and my joints are achy from the rain.

OMG I'm In Greece!

"Holy Shit," I whispered as my forehead hit the airplane window with a thud.

Right before my eyes was the small island of Corfu, birds eye view, and it was stunning! THIS is why one must always book the window seat. My heart was still a little broken from leaving Italy, but seeing the blue-green waters of Greece sure helped heal it pretty fast.

You SEE that Double Rainbow, right? Right??

Greece has always been one of my ultimate dream destinations. I LOVE Greek Mythology... I'm a big fan of Greek food... and I really like the movie, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (yes - more than Mamma Mia).

Admittedly though - I hadn't really heard of Corfu till a few weeks ago when I booked this HelpX opportunity. I don't know anything about it (I still don't!) and I'm not sure it's as popular a destination for tourists as Santorini, Mikonos or Athens.

BUT... After having been here for like, 2 days... I have to say I really like it here. :) It's gorgeous... The water is warm, and while almost everyone else in Europe are donning sweaters and gloves, we are still strutting around in our bikinis and flip flops! The weather is amazing!

I'm working at a hotel/hostel called The Pink Palace. It's a great party hostel (voted number 1 party hostel in Europe a few years ago) with really cool people, and I get along with my "boss" really well.

I initially signed on to help out with day to day stuff, online marketing, plus helping the owner's 2 children with their English (in other words, babysitting). I arrived on Tuesday, she gave me the morning off Wednesday, worked some online magic in the afternoon, all while being fed beautiful home cooked Greek food. I'd say life is pretty good at the moment! Can't complain!

I'm staying at a 4 bed dorm room which I have all to myself... but the best part is the view from my balcony.

Yes, I have a balcony... and the sound of the ocean is my lullaby.

I'm scheduled to stay here for a couple weeks - but it has become apparent that my boss would like for me to stay longer... So we'll see what happens. I'd still want to be able to see more of Greece in the next few weeks but I'll play it by ear.

I'm really loving this whole "go with the flow" travel thing. It's been working out pretty well. I'll keep you guys posted on the developments of the "Greece" portion of my trip.

In the meantime - It's "Boxing Night" tonight at the hostel bar. Apparently it's a drinking game that does NOT involve boxing whatsoever. What a disappointment.

I know, right? Life can be really rough sometimes. ;)

Θα δούμε αργότερα :)

When Things Don't Go The Way You Planned

When I first started planning my Great Escape, I had only originally intended to be away for 3, 4 months max. I thought that that's as far as my money is going to go as far as "touring" Europe.

I had also changed my blog theme from The 30by30 Project to a Travel Blog, with the original intention of keeping an online diary... to inform friends and family of my whereabouts.

Now, EXACTLY 6 months since I quit my job, I've been traveling for half a year, still within budget, and hopefully with enough funds to last me at least 6 months more... And this travel blog has done wonders for my trip, with definitely more use to me than just an online journal.

WHAT KIND OF TRAVELER ARE YOU?

I'm a planner... but not an anal one. I like having OUTLINES in my head, not a detailed textbook. I at least would like to have a general idea of the direction of my travels, but once I get to a place - I like to keep things open.

At the first leg of my tour, from my trip from LA to Manila, all the way to the UK, everything was pre-booked and pre-planned. I went to 6 countries in 6 weeks because I was on a schedule --- I needed to get to the UK before Glastonbury. It was great because since I booked my plane tickets at least 5 months before, I got everything cheaper. The only downside to that was not being able to spend more time in New Zealand. I really would have wanted to change my flights just to be able to explore the South Island, but it would have been too much of a hassle.

6 countries in 6 weeks

Which is why on the second leg of my tour - where I currently am, I decided to keep things as flexible as possible. The great thing about being in Europe is that the flights from one country to the next are really cheap (for instance, my Ryanair flight from Italy to Greece only costs 14 euro), so I don't have to worry about booking way in advance.

MY ITALY

I had this whole idea about my Italian adventure even before I got here... I thought I was going to work at a B&B for a few weeks, then spend the rest of the time touring up and down the country... From the Amalfi Coast down south, to Sicily, to Naples, to Rome, to Tuscany, and maybe a side trip to Juliet's house in Verona... That I would eat pizza and gelato everyday, and drive around the countryside taking photos of beautiful sunflowers.

Well, I couldn't be more wrong. What I ended up doing was soooo much better than what I have ever imagined.

I booked both The Shanti House and La Preghiera as my two volunteer opportunities through HelpX, and we all know how I absolutely loved both places for two very different reasons... (See previous posts here and here) After La Preghiera, my intention was to go to Naples to eat some pizza, and then go to Rome. But one of the friends I met at La Preghiera offered me a ride to Rome on the day I was leaving, and I'm not really in the position to turn down anything that's free - so I skipped Naples and went straight to Rome instead.

In Rome, I stayed for 4 days at a hostel. I was at a 10 bed mixed dorm, and all of us staying there ended up being friends, and toured the city together. I had such a great time with everyone, but I really wasn't enjoying being a "tourist" anymore. Yeah, sure... Rome is Rome... Beautiful city, great architecture, fabulous history... but it felt like just another big city to me... and I missed the day to day life at The Shanti House and the company at La Preghiera.

CHANGE OF PLANS

This was when I realized I probably won't last too long as a tourist anymore, and at this point in my travels, I need something more steady instead of hectic. And so - I made a command decision to skip Croatia all together, and go straight to Greece for another HelpX opportunity. (The original plan was, Italy-Croatia-Greece)

I figured, it's probably going to be similar to Greece anyway... and if it's really THAT beautiful, I can always visit it the next time I come back to Europe. If Greece is as amazing as everyone says it is, then I'd want to spend my remaining Schengen days exploring the Greek Islands (and devouring their food).

After Rome, I took the train up to Genova and spent a few days with two girlfriends I met at The Shanti House. Then on Friday, we drove up to Milan for a mini Shanti House reunion to see our musician friend, Alessandro Ponti, play. It has been SO great to be reunited with my favorite Italian people... It's like being at The Shanti all over again!

I'm leaving for Greece on Tuesday. October 1. Fresh start.
So, no... I never got to eat pizza at Naples, nor did I get the chance to explore the Amalfi Coast or visit Sicily or drive through Tuscany to see sunflowers (the sunflowers are all dead... they only bloom for 10 days in June apparently). But I think what I ended up doing was so much better... See, even if I wasn't able to do or see the things I wanted - I STILL ended up falling in love with Italy.
None of the BEST things that I experienced here were planned... and so now, I'm looking forward to more things that are unknown.

WHEN THINGS DON'T GO THE WAY YOU PLANNED...

I'd say just go with it. In my case, pathways to greater experiences are just opportunities disguised as setbacks. A missed flight, a delayed train, getting lost, things not working out... I always imagine "The Adjustment Bureau" at work when these things happen... It just means that the universe is trying to point you towards the direction you're supposed to be in.
It helps to have a little faith. Everything happens for a reason... and wherever you are, there you'll be. ;)

I love you, Italy!
See you later, Greece!

The Liebster Blog Award

From what I understand after tremendous amounts of research (read: about 8 minutes of Googling), The Liebster Blog Award nominations are given to the bloggers who are awesome. I have been nominated twice. That makes me twice as awesome. 

Just kidding. I think I’m just the normal kind of awesome. :)

Ok here are the facts. Liebster means “darling” or “beloved”. It’s like the German equivalent of Million Dollar Baby’s “Mo Chuisle”. The Liebster Award was founded years ago to help bloggers support and promote one another by nominating 11 up and coming  blogs by asking 11 random questions, after posting 11 random facts about yourself, and answering 11 random questions from the blogger who nominated you. I have no idea what the significance of the number 11 is, but that’s the way this whole thing works, apparently.

It doesn’t matter. It’s fun, and I feel really special for being nominated twice. :)

So here goes… 

11 Random Earth2Eartha Facts

1. My first name is Lady. I was conceived on the month Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married. My mom, obviously, was really into the hype back then. 

2. I was also named after the late, great, Eartha Kitt. Although I can’t sing quite like her, I can sing.

Santa Baby

3. I was the Harry Potter Quiz Bee Champion of my University. This is one of my greatest accomplishments.

4. I play a few musical instruments, but my favorite is the ukulele. I looove my ukulele!

5. Remember the music video of the song, “Escape” by Enrique Iglesias? Remember Anna Kournikova and how hot she was in it? That was it. That was the reason why I grew my hair down to my bum.

Hottest couple! 

6. I have a special talent. It is called ‘Facial Recognition’. It allows me to spot Celebrities from miles away.  One time I recognized someone, and he wasn’t even facing me. I recognized him from his back (Tim Allen). I always come up to ask to take photos with them and 90% of them oblige. The other 10% are always nice about saying no. By the third time I’ve bumped into Adam Sandler, he was the one who recognized me. I have a Celebrity Encounters photo album on Facebook. I am not a stalker.

Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and Me!

7. I secretly enjoy (well, obviously not a secret anymore) going to the movies by myself sometimes. Not all the time. Just sometimes. It’s therapeutic.

8. You know that cups song that Anna Kendrick did at Pitch Perfect? Her audition song with the slapping of the cup? Yeah. I can do that.

9. I have a dog. Her name is Phoebe, after Phoebe Buffay from Friends.

Phoebe!

10. My favorite country so far is Scotland. When I visited Prague in Czech Republic, it came close to beating Scotland that I was back and forth for a while. After seeing the movie, Brave, Scotland went straight back up to number 1.

11. I am sad that I’m only allowed to write 11 of these facts.

11 Questions from Traveling Ange and The Barefoot Beat (I chose 11 from both of their lists)  

1. What is your favorite word in another language, and what does it mean?

Cwtch. It’s Welsh for tight cuddle or affectionate squeeze. The closest definition is "safe place". I love a good cwtch!

2. What do your friends and family think about your travels?

About my up and coming RTW trip, most of my friends are very supportive. There’s one who thinks I’m crazy and has asked me not to do it – “Be responsible, Eartha. Save for the future. Don’t piss it all away traveling the world.” 

I think he means well.

My family is excited for me, but my dad took a little convincing. He was mostly worried, but I think he’s warmed up to the idea now.

3. Describe one place that’s still on your bucket list

I’m too lazy to describe it. I’ll just say what it is.

GREECE.

4. What’s one country you changed your mind about after visiting?

It might be Venice in Italy… not a country but a city. I had high hopes for it, and I had it pegged for one of my favorite destinations, but I was disappointed. It was too touristy, and I thought it was overhyped. I know… sad L It’s a beautiful place, just not what I had expected.

5. What’s your favorite piece of footwear while traveling?

My new Glagla water shoes!

6. Favorite foreign food?

Sticky toffee pudding? That’s a dessert. Does that count? 

How about marmite? Scones with clotted cream and jam? I am an anglophile.

7. Would you rather drink snake blood or eat dog in Vietnam?

I don’t think I can eat a dog. I’ll drink the blood. I watch True Blood.

8. If you were stranded on an island, what 3 books would you want to have with you?

TheAlchemist – Paulo Coelho. Yes Man – Danny Wallace. Follow Your Heart – AndrewMatthews

9. Post your favorite wildlife photo.

This is a Tarsier from the Philippines. Is that considered wildlife??

10. Beach or Mountains? Lightning or Thunder? Savory or Sweet?

Beach. Thunder. Sweet.

11. Ever had romance abroad?

Yes. ;)

My questions for my top 11

What’s your favorite travel memory?

Where is your favorite destination so far?

What is your favorite thing to photograph while abroad?

Who is your travel hero?

Are you more practical or luxurious?

What are your best travel purchases?

When did you first get bitten by the travel bug?

Share your most favorite travel photo ever!

Have you ever met someone while traveling that you really connected with? Are you still friends?

Would you rather fly, sail, drive or walk?

My 11 Nominations

Andrea Reese @wanderingiphone

The Roamers @riseandroam
Iain Mallory @malloryontravel
Joya Anthony @joyaanthony
Suzy Guese @suzyguese
Tom Stockwell @waegook_tom
Andi Perullo @andiperullo
Rica’s Rucksack @ricasrucksack
The Sole Sisters @weRsolesisters
Desert Fox @diarydesertfox
Sabina Lohr @sabinalohr

Pass it on, awesome nerds! Keep me posted when you guys have done your own list, and post the link on the comment section below :)

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Hi There! Have we met before? You look familiar! Those shoes look great on you, by the way! I’m Eartha and I recently decided to quit my job to travel the worrrrld! Join me in my adventures by checking back on my blog, and leaving me a comment or two!

• Subscribe to my blog and get updated every time I post here!
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Come and visit me again soon! :)

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