Family time in Greece

I eventually arrived in Athens at close to 3:00am and my trusted bro. Costa ( referred to by most as Mister Costa - a reflection of the esteem people had for him)was there to meet me. Surprisingly my bag arrived on the same flight, something I had not expected so I was quite happy about that. I wont have to live out of my back pack for the next few days. Not much was said on the 20 minute drive along the flash freeway to his place but the moment we arrived I hit the sack. Wow that was needed. 

Refreshed a bit we set off around 9:30am the next day with Costa driving us to Patras, along the national road and over the Corinth Canal. I remembered the approach to canal as full of souvlaki joints and restaurants but this time I didn’t even realised we had passed it. 

Somewhere along the road we took a wrong turn and ended up going over this spectacular bridge. From a particular angle it looked as though the road was going up into the sky. Very very cool. 

We were both wide awake by the time we arrived in Patras and boarded the ferry for our island of Kefalonia. A far cry from the ferries I remembered, and those back home, this was a slick, modern and spotless machine. Not a bit of movement, great seating, good cafe and smokers only in the smoking area (not beneath the no smoking signs). 

Our voyage was uneventful but we spent the whole time chatting about our childhoods, families, memories and putting the world to right. It was a lovely way to spend three hours with my ELDER bro. The rest of my stay was full of similar conversations and bought home the childhood connections we had missed. 

Arriving on the island we went straight to the house Costa had built. My fathers family home was mainly destroyed in the massive Ionian Island earthquake of 1953 and when my Dad first returned to his home in 1970 (after being absent for 35 years) he arranged to have the crumbling walls of the house knocked in so that the relic would not be a danger to anyone. Dad subsequently returned and had a small bach built on the foundations. Costa subsequently moved to live in Greece and over time has turned the ‘bach’ into a beautiful two story home. He has been able to incorporate some of the original features of the house that my Dad had treasured. This was the first time I have seen the house and it exceeded all my expectations. Its fab. 

That evening we wandered down to a nearby seaside town for dinner. I couldn’t resist and ordered a Kefalonian meat pie but was skeptical that it would match Mom’s. It didn’t quite but was pretty damn good especially when accompanied by fried cheese (called saganaki). The pie filling is a bit different to most with chunks of lamb mixed with spices, a touch of orange peel, onion, garlic, rice and in this case some tomato paste and dill. For someone that does not particularly like Greek food this was a damn good start. 

Next day we were up bright and early on a ferry to the neighbouring island, Ithaca, where my Mom is from. Here we started the morning in a small village where I remembered having eaten a particular type of local sweet. Rovani, quite unlike anything I have had anywhere else this is a sweet that consists of roughly ground rice cooked and baked with honey. It is very labour intensive and I did not expect to find any. But!  There was a sign!  We stopped. I couldn’t resist and oh my god it was good. The rice absorbs the honey and it is like eating honey out of the jar. Heaven sent. 

We spent the rest of the morning visiting rellies that we hadn’t seen for years; two of our older first cousins. It was such an honour for them to have remembered us so fondly and taken us into their hearts and homes so warmly. The realisation that I may not see them again (they are all elderly) made me sad but I am so pleased to have seen them. 

Our next stop a fishing village called Frikes where a second cousin had recently opened a restaurant named Nostimon (tasty). My cousins joined us and we were treated to a huge banquet that just kept coming. Not only was there an ongoing supply of beautifully presented food but each and every item was delicious. Crayfish, fettuccine, fried fish, grilled fish, fries, fried cheese, salads, bread, cheese croquettes, it just kept on coming. As I have said before Greek cuisine is not high up on my list of my favourite cuisines but this one meal changed all of that. 

The simple traditional greek flavours all had a little add on that took them from delicious to spectacular. What a way to spend a few hours. Amazing food in the company of great people all whilst sitting looking into the ocean. 

Just when we thought we couldn’t eat any more and it couldn’t get any better we were served a karidopita (walnut cake) that was to die for. 

We left stuffed and barely able to move with a pile of doggy bags in case hunger got the better of us. 

Thank you Romina and Christos!!!!!!! Your hospitality was beyond expectation. Your restaurant and the food will leave me with memories far beyond my trip. 

Traveling to the main city on the island we checked into our accommodation and crashed for a few hours. 

Next stop drinks at a waffle house with a couple both Costa and I had connections with. Costa had helped this couple with their papers when they came to New Zealand. I met them in New Zealand and we became self proclaimed greek rellies. They have since moved to the UAE and quite by chance happened to be on the island the day we were. It was obvious that we should catch up. And how lovely that was. 

After a couple of mocktails we were joined by their friends and you guessed it!  We went out for dinner. Another lavish spread, more fish, more fries, more fried cheese. Oh we aren’t eating we said. Bullsh1t. I stuffed my face again and when honey puffs (donuts dunked in honey syrup) came out I did a damned good job of them as well. 

End of food diary for now. 

We returned to Kefalonia early next morning, did a few odd jobs, caught up with some local friends and headed back to Athens that night. 

Next day, just for a change, I woke up with a headcold and spent the next two days sleeping it off. 

Yesterday my last day I got to see my grandnephew 5 year old Victor whom I helped make a lego figure!  ‘Help’ means finding a few pieces only to be told “Neni that’s not the one’. He is too cute. 

Last night some other cousins came to visit and of course when visitors come there are always sweets to be had. It would be rude to decline. Once again it was great to see my cousins once more. 

I am now on a plane taxiing on the way to Istanbul. My week in Greece has been wonderful.  Sharing time with my bro has been extra special and seeing how much more developed, organised, modern and sophisticated Greece is makes me think that a longer stay will be on the cards soon. The madness is still there but things have a polish that did not exist when I lived here

I was really surprised how quickly I became fluent again in Greek to the point that I tried talking to a kid in Türkiye in fluent Greek. Woops wrong country. 

Thanks Bro, it has been great.