I often share the subject of this post with people I meet, so I’m pleased to have the opportunity to share it with you at The Lounge.
Today, I’m writing about a place where history spans back to Greek mythology.
Folklore tells us that my place was once a beautiful woman and she was abducted by Poseidon – God of the sea.
Since her landmass was rich with succulent fruits and fragrant flowers, the Gods called her their bank – God’s Bank.
Her pronunciation and spelling have changed over the eons but she is known today as Astypalaia – the butterfly of the Aegean Sea.
When people think of the Mediterranean, popular islands usually spring to mind. Mykonos is known as the place to party while Santorini is known for its whitewash and sunsets. Other islands are known for their architecture and churches, their history and their holiday lifestyle.
Unlike her sister islands in the Dodecanese, Astypalaia is not known for a great deal. My personal view is that people don’t visit Astypalaia because the Greeks, quite cleverly, do not talk about her.
Those cunning Greeks!
Astypalaia is a place of vast beauty and intense serenity. She is rich with archaeology and ancient ruins can be found high on hills and low down near pebbled beaches.
The view from The Kastro, The Castle, which was built on a high vantage point, to detect invaders.
This is the church of Panagia Portaitissa, located within the walls of The Kastro.
I lost myself by day, on beaches, winding paths and roads to nowhere. And by night, I partied my hardest, with ouzo, bouzoukia and tables built for dancing.
I’m a lucky girl. Astypalaia happens to be my father’s home.
I’m connected to this island. I’m drawn to it.
If I could only choose one island to show my kids, it would be this one.
Is it naff these days to say, spiritual home?
If not, I have more than one…
This aspect is from below The Kastro – my elderly Aunts live in those homes just below it.
As a tot I was taught this song by my Dad.
Το κάστρο της Αστροπαλιάς
έχει κλειδί κλειδώνει,
Έχει κορίτσια έμορφα
μα δεν τα φανερώνει,
Loosely translated, it means:
The castle of Astypalaia,
has a key which locks it.
It also has beautiful women,
but it does not reveal them.
I’m teaching my Miss 2 that little ditty.
So I’ve only ever met one couple who have visited My Island and they raved about it more than me.
If you tell me you’ve been to Astypalaia, I’ll lose my shit…
Where is your spiritual home?
Have you been to the Greek Islands?
Share your travel tales with us at The Lounge link-up – this week over at The Very Inappropriate Blog.
Love,
Robo X
Email me for image sources.
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Robo this is so beautiful. I would love love love to go to Greece and the islands but never have, one day maybe. My spiritual home is Ireland I think. WHen I returned there with my dad I sort of understood a lot more about myself and him too. x
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Me too. When you eventually see where your parents were raised you learn more about them.
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
What a gorgeous place!
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Such a gorgeous place.
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
As you noted I only wnet to the two places in Greece during my travels – Athen and Mykonos! After seeing these pictures I am seriosuly bummed I didn’t know about Astypalaia – it looks like it is more than a match for Santorini in terms of beauty and sight-seeing and I LIKE the sounds of ouzo and table dancing 😉
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
It’s a great deal quieter but that’s what I like about it. And table/bar dancing when drunk is epic fun.
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Oh and in case you were wondering I still maintain that my spiritual home is AZERBAIJAN!!!! Long live eurovision 🙂
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Of course people still say spiritual home!!! You said it the other day!!!!!
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Wow those photos are just beautiful. I think it’s lovely to have a spiritual connection to such a place. I’ve never been to Greece in all my various travels but it does look amazing! And what a special thing you have to share with the next generation 🙂
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Yes! One day I’d love to take my little family over and stay a while.
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
I haven’t been there… but I wish I had. Just BEAUTIFUL. And I’m good at ouzo. How lucky you are to have a cultural connection that’s so rich that you can pass on to your kids. x
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
I’m good at it too ;o)
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Hi Robo, I have been to Athens & Mykonos…but not any other islands so it seems I have missed out!! A lovely tale to tell to your kids…how wonderful you have your own island
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
I haven’t been to Mykonos. I like my Islands sleepy by day. Astypalaia is still uncommercial compared to many others – I hope it stays that way.
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
I can’t say I’ve ever been to Astypalaia, but I’ve certainly been to Dubbo. That’s just as good, isn’t it? Ahem.
It really does look beautiful. xo
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Oh Ness! It’s exactly the same…
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
Never been to Greece but keen to go!! (your pics sell it well, by the way) Lovely that you’re passing on the song to your daughter – and now you’ll meet hundreds of people from your island…(or they’ll meet you)
May 23rd, 2013 at 20:51
You gave me the idea to post it to them! I sent them a link via Facebook. Thank you. X
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
How absolutely stunning! No, I haven’t been but I have been to Symi and it’s a real gem.
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
Scotland is my home in every sense. But I am definitely adding your island to my death list 🙂 (Bucket list is so pass ;), I have the death list – things people have to do once I have carked it and things I would like to do before that happens ;))
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
Erm, passe even 🙂 Cannot work out how to do the acute over the e, you will just have to imagine it 🙂
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
Lovely pictures!
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
Those photos are so beautiful! Your family has lots to look forward to 🙂
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
It’s a really beautiful place…
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
Gorgeous post – so interesting! I’ve never been to your island. My spiritual home is Byron Bay – corny I know but as a young teen i moved there, and my parents bought a place there – i know it well and I love it. It gives me peace, it’s magical, and beautiful. But I’ve spent some time, about 6 weeks, on the Greek Islands – I’ll never ever forget it – Corfu, Ios, Paros, Naxos, Santorini … i was 25, with my two best friends, and I had an absolute ball – i think i danced on every table 😉
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
I can completely understand that! I adore Byron Bay as well. The last time I went I actually experienced more of Byron and surrounds and less of the touristy stuff. It was just breathtaking. You would’ve had the BEST time overseas with your BFs. What an experience!
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
I have nothing awesome to say Robo – except that i LOVE your shit and your history 🙂 Em xx
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
I love YOUR shit too! Big hugs to you!!
May 24th, 2013 at 20:51
You are indeed one lucky lady to have an awesome cultural background.
I so want to visit the Greek Islands. Next time you go, take me with you?
Thanks x
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
The last time I went was years ago… And the next time I go is not in the foreseeable future. I think it’s why I blog about the Motherland…. I miss it so much… X
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
Wow it looks beautiful. I have never been to Greece although it is definitely on my ‘to do’ list….and I shall add your island to it!
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
You must!
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
Oh it’s so beautiful!!! So much culture and beauty over there, that we just don’t have here at home.
May 25th, 2013 at 20:51
I have to correct you, J. We do have it. We just take it for granted… If we weren’t chock full of culture and beauty do you think tourist would flock here for all over the world? Aussie culture is still forming and developing but what we do have is perfect. Now throw another shrimp on the barbie! Not!! XX
May 31st, 2013 at 20:51
I’ve never been there or even heard of it but now I want to go! You pictures look amazing.
I guess I would call my spiritual home Sicily. I have a blog post in me about feeling at home there which I just haven’t gotten around to writing yet 🙂
July 10th, 2013 at 20:51
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