The first and only clouds that I saw the entire 25 days in Greece! You will see in all the rest of the pictures the sky is completely blue again.
Wow! You are relentless. I miss putting up my blog one day and I get heck for ruining people’s computer time. So I am very sorry and will try and make it worth the wait.
The title alone has me a little uncomfortable but it will become clear as you read on.
I searched out where the best beach for my viewing would be. Viewing (I should really say voyeuring). I was told Super Paradise. Super Paradise? Are they kidding me with the name? Nope! That’s the name and there are buses that have names on them “Paradise”.
If you look between the tree trunk and the power pole, there are the windmills in the distance. That is close to where the evening shots are taken.
You see there is Paradise and then there is Super Paradise.
As it turns out I had to take a bus to a beach and then catch a boat to the “special” beach. I was starting to get cold feet. What “kind” of boat would I be boarding? I don’t want some sailing ship where people are “swinging” and are on their way to some exclusive beach where anything goes. So off I go in the morning. Remember my mission was to get there early so I could get the best spot. The best spot to lie in the sun, the best spot to inconspicuously watch, the best spot to read my book (Ya right! As if I am reading). It turns out that the beach I had been to the first day here is the exact beach where I need to go to catch the “Boat”.
I think I just really like the view. I have no idea why I keep taking this shot. Maybe to show you how steep the road is.
There are many beaches on this island and for me to have ended up at that one is odd. Well, of course when Beth gets to the beach, there aren’t any boats going to Super Paradise for another half an hour. You see I was there at 10:30 and people aren’t even up then. So I have to wait! What else is new? I always have to wait for people to wake up. Don’t they know they are missing the best part of the day? I go to a restaurant and sit down. I might as well start my eating binges as I will be too busy doing research the rest of the day to eat. The waiters look at me and are very pleasant. I asked to see a menu and their response is “I am sorry lady we are not open”. “Oh! I will leave then” They then ask me what I want and they are more than happy to accommodate me. I have been so well treated by the Greeks that I am amazed (all but “Hippie Boy”). Now I am really starting to get cold feet. I look like such a desperate person, showing up before anything is even running.
I am going to miss the views. They are truly amazing.
Oh well! I will never have this opportunity again and I said I was going to do it so I am going to do it. Get on the boat and guess what. It’s the geriatric boat. Everyone is older than me. Yes! Finally I am doing something other people my age are doing. So off I go.
Yes! I arrived at the “special” beach and got my great lounge chair (with umbrella). They gave me a discount because I am only one person and then they take my extra lounge chair away. Great! Now how to look like a real loser! I can’t even pretend my imaginary friend is in the bathroom.
I took this picture from the bus. I was trying to show you where "hippie boy" put me the first night. I missed it but I get it on the way back. So hold on...
Do they have to let everybody know that Beth is here all by herself? So I start clicking. I have to be very discreet because I don’t want someone coming and beating me up for taking naked pictures.
Now I have to be honest. The beach had everything on it. It had lots of gay men, gay women, families, young people, old people and tourists. But I have to admit, it wasn’t anything like I thought it would be. I thought people would be wild and very indiscreet. It was not that way at all. People were there to enjoy themselves. They weren’t trying to flaunt anything or be disgusting. They were at this beach because that is how they want to tan. So my attitude changed completely. I spent my day thoroughly enjoying the freedom these people feel in being themselves.
The same beach that was packed like sardines yesterday. What a difference a few hours makes.
I have such an admiration for the Europeans who embrace their bodies for what they are, their bodies. It doesn’t matter how old or what kind of condition they are in they appreciate every bit of it. I don’t want to sound philosophical or quirky, but women no matter what shape of size are just who they are. We North American’s are so hung up on trying to look 20 when we are 40. We are embarrassed of our rolls, our tummies, our butts, etc. The entire time I have been in Greece I have not seen one pair of implants (at least that I can tell). When traveling in the states every second woman has them but not here. Charlene said she had seen some in Ios when she was with some Americans. So what does that say about us? We are so hung up on trying to be people we aren’t or at least people we shouldn’t be. So that is my lesson from yesterday. These people are just happy to be who they are.
Just a lot of empty chairs...
Yes, I have seen some very beautiful young bodies. But they don’t have the history of having multiple pregnancies, gaining and losing weight or just living 50 years. I have also seen some pretty nasty bodies, but you know what. I am the one judging them as nasty, not them. So that my friends is my learning on the “special” beach. We are who we are. Warts and all. Live with it and accept it. They do and they’re much happier for it.
Packed it in at 3 pm. Had enough sun and I had another mission for the evening and needed to go back and shower and get ready. I was off to see where the movie “Shirley Valentine” was filmed. Went to the bus station and who is there but Charlie. So we decided to go together and check out the other part of the island.
Not bad for a restaurant that is closed. I was so thankful and appreciated it.
Found the restaurant called “Sunset”. The waiters and waitress did not know what I was talking about but there was a sign outside that let us know we were at the right spot. I recognized it from the movie and they did have numerous pictures up on the wall of the kitchen. We ate dinner there and of course I had my red wine. I don’t know what I am going to do at home without copious amounts of red wine. I may have to start my own winery. “Goddess Bethena” has a nice ring to it. What do you think? When Charlie was taking my picture she kept hitting the self timer button so it would take numerous shots. We were laughing so hard so I have included them.
After dinner and many pictures we headed to town to a little area called “Little Venice” We were going to have a drink and enjoy the sights.
My geriatric friends on the "Super Paradise" boat.
Now we ordered “Sex on the Beach” and sat and talked. Talked, enjoyed the view, talked and ordered another drink. We talked some more, took more pictures, talked and of course drink number three. Next thing I know it is 12:30 am. So that is why I didn’t get the blog done. The clubs were just getting started and the age change was very apparent. All my geriatric friends had retired for the evening and the youngin’s were out in full force. Charlie wanted to take me dancing, but I knew the three drinks and the red wine was enough for me. I still had to make it home. I felt a little guilty leaving her because we were having such a good time but I knew I was going to pay for it today. I have a “wee” bit of a headache. I slept in until 9 am so that is the first time this trip that I have not been awake and ready to go at 6:30. I should have known the drinks were potent when they were 12 euros each. We spend as much on booze at the restaurant than we would on a hotel room.
