even a Suzuki Jimny can look cool on a hot day

Not to be confused with Kerry, Ireland - which is also quite stunning, though wetter - this is Keri, Zakynthos (Zante).

We rented a car for a day - very cheap and informal (do remember to bring your driving license - I didn't and so was a passenger).

My see-saw partner drove down to here from Tsilivi, via Lagonas and this is a view from the top of the cliffs.

Lagonas is the largest resort on Zante and if partying is your thing, it's the place to go.  Tsilivi is quieter.  

From Lagonas though, if you want somewhere really quiet, you can take a boat trip - leave your shoes behind - to the island of Marathonisi where loggerhead turtles come to lay their eggs.  There seems to be a balance between protecting the turtles and showing them off.  while there are glass-bottomed boats to take people out to the island, the licensing is very strict and there are a limited number of operators allowed to do this.  You can buy an ice cream there from the guy who must have one of the best jobs in the world. 

Ironically, there's a girl in a pink bikini in this video who seems to be at loggerheads with her boyfriend.  I don't know what was going down between them but the whole trip seemed to bore them both to such an extent that they worked hard at ignoring each other and improving their sun-tans all the way home.

Marathonisi

it's good to get away...

...sometimes.  Last October, my nephew asked me if  I would come to his wedding in May.  'Love to', I told him and when he told me it was in Greece - well, a week away in Greece seemed like a pretty good idea.

Greece is a place I had never before been to - or aspired to go to.  Maybe my sub-conscious was associating it with grease - but hey, a week of sunshine interrupted by a wedding mid-way was definitely worth shooting for. 

Last October, I had a life/work balance as good as I had ever achieved and most weeks, I had enough to get by - and some.  Fast forward to May and the picture was totally different.  The knock on effects of our global recession had resulted in me working longer hours for slightly more than half what I had been earning previous year - and NO, I'm not a banker, financial consultant or real estate agent.  The stress - and I try not to do stress - of all this also had me working less effectively and so, on a downward spiral, the trip had become just another hassle - that bloody wedding.

Stuff like realizing my passport was due for renewal - another 85 euro, the dog needed a vet visit - write your own cheque please, not to mention a present for the lovely couple.  Arrrghr!

I'm back from the beautiful island of Zakynthos and - while still struggling - have the energy to keep climbing the hill.  The dog's well and the passport is good for 10 years and, when I figure the technology, I'll put up some holiday snaps and hope not to bore you.