In 2019, about 18 months into full time, non-stop home and pet sitting post retirement, I realized this wasn’t a job, so hard to break old habits, and that I could really go and do whatever I wanted. I booked an 11 day Mediterranean cruise and then tacked on a week in Civatavecchia, Italy before the cruise and a week in Santorini after the cruise.

I was, as always post family, traveling alone. The cruise was part of an event and I was “matched” with what they felt was the “perfect” roommate, another retired nurse. (Insert eye roll). No offense to anyone but that no longer “matches”. On the ship I did meet some incredible, fun and happy people, most much younger than me.

When I went to Rome to board my flight, I found that some of these lovely young people were on the same flight to Santorini. We laughed almost the whole way over.

My family owned hotel was on the other side of the island right on the coast of the sea. In Cyclades. The most sparkling color of green clear water that was being pumped into the hotel pool. They provided breakfast, all you can eat, free transportation to Thira and back several times a day.

The hotel was far from the tourist crowds and noise. I was able to have lunch prepared just for me poolside. There was a wonderful restaurant just a short walk away right on the beach with inside as well as outside dining, on the sand with tables lit by candles, torches and starlight. I sat there convinced that the meal was enhanced by the sea air, the wine by the very handsome and young Greek waiter who smiled broadly offering me his name and phone number, just in case I needed anything.

I can’t speak a word of Greek but I know how to smile and nod. There were enough people who knew enough English. I did see my cruise friends once in Thira and we had dinner together, which was heartwarming.

Mostly I spent my time alone. I walked in the heat through hillsides with wild horses. Some

times in the wee hours before dawn, I would go to the fishing piers. There I saw spectacular sunrises and the dances of swans before the disturbances of men on their boats.

One day I decided to walk along the rocky coastline to get closer to what looked like a series of caves. I walked for a long time, stopping and sitting on rocks when I felt like it. I felt so calm and was in no rush, just enjoying the moment. Without realizing it, the tide came in and well I was stranded for several hours on some of those rocks. When I was able to, I kept going till I reached the caves.

On the way back, I used the paved roads.
But most definitely will always choose the road less travelled.

It was one of the highlights of my life.