Saturday 14 September 2019

Hey! Ho! Let's Go - Packing For Greece

The harbour, Corfu Town - June 2017

They say that time flies when you're having fun and that's certainly been the case since I last published a blog post. The weather's been glorious and, other than several forays to the charity shops and a crazy all-dayer in 'Spoons on Monday, I've mostly spent the past week in a bikini, pottering around the garden, basking in the late summer sunshine and unplugging from the World Wide Web. There has been a bit of other stuff to attend to as well though, in a few days time we're off to Greece and, in my world, packing is serious business.


The toiletries - Once a day sun screen for body and face plus after sun; fully recyclable bamboo toothbrushes*, biodegradable cornstarch dental floss in a refillable canister* and Truthpaste*; Lush* solid shampoo, conditioner and facial moisturiser; His 'n' hers razors; Tangle Teezer hairbrush; Travel soap* (which can also be used as deodorant, laundry and shaving), Konjac sponge; Biodegradable wet wipes; Nadarra* lip balm. 

First Aid stuff - bamboo plasters, anti-histamine cream and painkillers

*Linking 'cos I love - all products bought with my own hard-earned cash!


I'm treating myself to eyelash extensions so this is all the makeup I'm taking: Sleek creme blush, Barry M lip colour, nail paint & black waterproof eyeliner, tweezers, Lush's Sikkim Girls solid perfume and a pencil sharpener. I've also packed hairbands and hair screws.


My (mostly vintage) travel gear: India Imports block printed halterneck maxi dress, Spinney cheesecloth maxi dress with cape sleeves, Dollyrockers maxi dress, Indian hooded kaftan, Anokhi block printed sundress, Mexican cotton maxi dress, gingham midi skirt and 2 x white cotton off-the-shoulder tops (I'll travel in one of these with the India Imports of Rhode Island block printed maxi skirt). 


My Mexican straw hat that I got from a trade-of with our lovely neighbours at End of the Road, sunglasses, Birkenstocks, Clarks' cushioned Artisan sandals (75% off in their clearance sale earlier this year) and Lotta from Stockholm "highwood" clogs plus a vintage straw basket (which I'll use for hand luggage), 1970s Greek souvenir bag and Moroccan raffia clutch bag (all the bags are charity shop finds). 


Vintage chazza shopped crochet shawl for chilly nights, a couple of bikinis and a sarong. I've just got my jewellery to pop in at the last minute.


 Jon's (mostly secondhand) travel wardrobe: Black linen trousers which he's travelling in (along with a vintage denim shirt, not pictured), stripy short sleeved cotton shirt, Diesel linen shirt, 1950s leisure shirt, 3 x tailored shorts, Cotton Cottage Indian block printed shirt, striped granddad shirt and Ted Baker ribbed cotton shirt.


Turkish cotton sarong, 2 x swim shorts, 3 x tee shirts, 2 x sandals, 1 x desert boots (he's since swapped this pair for a navy pair), vintage army rucksack, cotton cap and sunglasses. Also taking but not pictured, a leather belt, another hat and a second pair of sunnies.

Also taking but not pictured - E readers, torch, mosquito plug-in, beach blanket, travel kettle and enamel cups, travel plug, chargers, camera, travel guide and map, Indian army knife, MP3 player and padlocks.

Paleokastritsa - June, 2017

So where are we going? We're returning to Corfu, the island I fell in love with after reading Gerald Durrell's My Family and other Animals as an eleven-year old schoolgirl which we visited for the first time in 2017 (see HERE). As you know, we're not bucket list travellers, if we find a place we love we're happy to return. We travel for ourselves, not to impress anyone.

Taken on the climb up to Paleokastritsa Monastery, June 2017

Gradually the magic of the island settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen. Each day had a tranquility, a timelessness, about it so that you wished it would never end. But then the dark skin of night would peel off and there would be a fresh day waiting for us, glossy and colourful as a child's transfer and with the same tinge of unreality. - Gerald Durrell on Corfu, My Family and Other Animals


Remote mountain village, North Corfu - June 2017


Halfway up the slope, guarded by a group of tall, slim, cypress-trees, nestled a small strawberry-pink villa, like some exotic fruit lying in the greenery. The cypress-trees undulated gently in the breeze, as if they were busily painting the sky a still brighter blue for our arrival.The villa was small and square, standing in its tiny garden with an air of pink-faced determination. Its shutters had been faded by the sun to a delicate creamy-green, cracked and bubbled in places. The warm air was thick with the scent of a hundred dying flowers, and full of the gentle, soothing whisper and murmur of insects. - Gerald Durrell, My Family and Other Animals 



  
The White House, Lawrence Durrell's Corfu home, June 2017

Other countries may offer you discoveries in manners or lore or landscape; Greece offers you something harder—the discovery of yourself.  ― Lawrence Durrell, Prospero's Cell


Kerkyra, June 2017



The air of the islands, she believed, was different than the air of other regions of the world. It engulfed her now, carrying with it flavors of sun-drenched soil and foam-flecked sea, aromas of virgin woods and naked rocks, its tang of citrus trees and its fizz of foreign wine-misted lips. It carried in its pockets the sounds of children's laughter, the clatter of drunken brawls, the mandolin music thrumming sensually from decades-old cassette tapes in the colorful souvenir shops where old ladies and young women waved at passersby. It came from near and far, rebounding off the blue-white flag strapped to ferry masts rearing above the sparkling waters, glinting in the brown-eyed winks and twirled moustaches of the locals.”― Angela Panayotopulos, The Wake Up


Village square, Magoulades - Corfu, 2017

On a summer night, I have sat on the balcony drinking Ouzo, watching the ghosts of Greek Heroes sailing past, listening to the rustle of their sail cloths and the gentle lapping of their oars.   - Phil Simkin

Sunset over Paleokastritsa , June 2017

There's still a few days till we leave and in the meantime,  I've got an exciting day out with a friend planned for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll pop back and report on our adventures before we go.

See you soon!

48 comments:

  1. No need to make travel packing lists, just look back on your packing posts :) Wow, I wish I was off to Greece. Instead we are taking care of wee Buddy who dislocated his hip yesterday and whom we can't pick up for another hour from the vets. He can't be left alone for a week in hopes the hip will stay in place to prevent another dislocation (that means surgery for socket replacement). I shall be waiting for your return for some great Greece photos - please have many Greek salads for me

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    1. I do refer back to my old packing posts - but I love writing lists, too!
      Sending lots of healing wishes Buddy's way. I'll have a Greek Salad for you, promise! xxx

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  2. Have a wonderful time. I don't want to spoil anything, but did you know they are now thinking that all of our sunscreens are killing the reefs around the world. My son live on Maui and in his spare time he paddles outriggers. Crews of six on each one. Anyway, there is a lady there that sells reef safe sunscreens. She uses nothing but certified organic ingredients. Everyone uses her stuff in Hawaii. But here is her website if you would like to read more. www.rawlovesunscreen.com And again, have a great time.

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    1. Thank for that, Tana. I bought my brother a similar, British made version, for his upcoming travels. Trouble is, I'm a beach bum and spend a lot of time on the beach and Calypso never fails to deliver, it's got a top UK UV rating and I don't want to risk swapping brands after finding the right one. xxx

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  3. Have a wonderful time Vix...I know you will! I can't wait to read about your travels to Greece!

    PS....the dental floss sounds really cool. I'll be looking into finding it, or something similar, here!

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    1. Thanks, Sue!! I'm sure there must be a similar dental floss in your part of the world, I swear by mine. xxx

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  4. It seems your weather has been a lot nicer than ours, which couldn't decide whehter it was Summer or Autumn. Oh well, you can't have it all I suppose! I love seeing your packing posts, from which I'm always hoping to learn. But having the luxury to travel by car, plus choosing destinations where warm and sunny weather is far from guaranteed, I always end up taking way too much. It's good to see that the Dollyrockers frock you wore for our meet-up has made the grade! Wishing you and Jon a wonderful, well-deserved holiday! xxx

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    1. You're so lucky having the luxury of a car - even when we travel to festivals I only have half a bag to cram all my stuff in. I'd probably go mad with unlimited space! xxx

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  5. Enjoy your vacation! You certainly deserve the break.

    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne! I'm so excited about having a whole week to ourselves and uninterrupted meals - bliss! xxx

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  6. Happy vacation to you both. It looks so good!

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  7. I love seeing what you have packed. Good to see all your eco-brands of products. What do you think of Truthpaste? I've been using Georganics Charcoal paste and I am struggling with it a bit so it would be good to try another one. I bought a tin of Organic natural suncream this year and I really liked it- no more stinging eyes though you have to reapply it after water.

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    1. I love Truthpaste and when Jon went to the dentist last month he was very impressed with how clean his teeth were. The flavour's great, too - I hate how sweet conventional brands are.
      Tana mentioned an American sun screen, I bought my brother some of that organic stuff in a tin but he's not a sun worshiper like me, he only needs it for walking around sightseeing. xxx

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  8. Have a wonderful time! After all that work you've certainly earned some time on the beach.

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  9. This post has been such a treat. Just like glancing at other people's shopping trollies (who, me?!), I do enjoy a nosy at holiday packing. It appears you have it nailed.
    Have a wonderful time. X

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    1. I'm the same as you, I love being nosey! Thanks so much, Jules! xxx

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  10. Ooo have a fantastic time!! You have a lovely selection of clothes packed. Xx

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  11. you are the queen of light AND stylish packing!
    wish you both a wonderful time - relaxing, recharching and a little bit challenging for some spice :-D
    love your photos!!
    xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! I'm wild with excitement now! xxx

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  12. so jealous! I wanna go back to Greece. I looked high and low for one of those Greek tote bags, I had one in high school, no luck, but I keep looking. Have a grand time

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    1. I'll keep my eyes peeled for you! Thanks! x

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  13. Take it easy. Have a good one Vix
    Arilx

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  14. Have a fabulous holiday you two lovely people. It will certainly be a lot more cultured than where we’ve been.
    The British Country Music Festival at Blackpool haha.
    Could do with a holiday myself now xxx

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    1. I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall at your festival! The Peaky Blinders Festival was amazing, Philip would have fitted in a treat! xxx

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  15. I always like seeing what you pack for your trips. I wish I could pack as lightly as you but then I don't usually go anywhere warm. I'm sure you will have a lovely time in Corfu, and I will look forward to the photos.

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    1. It's a lot easier packing when you know what the weather's going to be like, festival packing is a nightmare! xxx

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  16. That is some economical packing there, Vix, well done! I'd probably take more stuff than you, but leave most of it behind! Greece looks amazing - I loved Durrell's books when I was younger. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the relaxing blue skies and seas!

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    1. I thought i'd gone a bit overboard with my packing but I've got a whole 15kg baggage allowance and I'm determined to use it!
      Love the Durrell's writing, such a gifted family. xxx

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  17. Aegean blue! If ever a color evoked a place, it's that particular shade of blue! Ouzo aside (it's like licking pine sap), one envies you your menu for the holidays.

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    1. I'm with you on the Ouzo, Beth - too many bad memories of wild nights in Greece in my youth - the Retsina isn't much better!! xxx

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  18. You are incredibly organized and you both will look wonderful on your trip. I am excited to read that you are getting eyelash extensions and look forward to hearing how you like them ( perhaps you have had them before?).

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    1. Thanks, Jan! I usually apply my own eyelash extensions for my Indian adventures but treated myself to cashmere extensions when we went to Kos last year and was really impressed with how much softer and fuller they looked! xxx

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  19. Time does fly! Seems like I was just drooling of the photos of your last trip to Greece. Looking forward to the ones from this latest trip. Have a great time!

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  20. Oh how I envy you! I know I've got a cheek after 6 weeks holiday but I so loved Corfu and I would like to go back, too! I hope you have an amazing time.

    You are a consumate packer, Vix, you have it down to the finest of arts...

    I'm off to catch up with what else you've been up to!
    xxxxx

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    1. Welcome back!! Yes, Corfu - like Gerald Durrell said - settled over us like pollen and we can't get enough of it. I can't wait to see that turquoise Ionian sea and smell the wild thyme again! xxx

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  21. You packed so well. I love that photo from Corfu 2017. Enjoy your new visit! I love islands and I imagine Greek islands to be very much like Croatian islands, I can't even tell them apart myself when I see them on photos. I hope to visit Greece some day.

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    1. thanks, Ivana! I often think your part of the world looks remarkably similar to the Greek Islands I've visited. I know you'd feel very much at home if you visited. xx

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  22. Vix, you're such an organised packer.
    I liked seeing your clothes all lined up - lots of nice blue and pink colours.
    Enjoy your trip. X

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  23. Hooray for holidays! I'm packing for mine too - taking roughly the same amount of stuff as you. Let's hope we're all refreshed for the autumn.

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  24. I love packing for holidays and trips away, it's part of the fun!
    Hope you had a great time
    xx

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  25. Hello Vix. After all your hard work you both deserve the best holiday laden with sunshine, great food and lots of fun. The lead up is always exciting and packing all your lovelies only heightens the buzz. Your wardrobe (and Jon's) looks fabulous. I especially liked the crochet shawl which I imagine will drape beautifully over your frocks in the evenings. I hear that on the Greek islands they have the best sunrises and sunsets over azure seas. Hope yo get to experience them. Take care.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix