January on Ithaca

Landscape photos from North Ithaca

Winter months on Ithaca are more like spring. As soon as the rain stops and the sun is warming the air wild flowers apear over night. 

Traditional windmills on Ithaca, now listed and protected. In the past it was possible to convert them into a house, not anymore. 

A typical sight during a walk. Goats are not wild each one is accounted for and they roam around freely with no care in the world. 

From Marmaka beach it takes about a 30 minutes swim to reach this island. Tradition says you can ring the bell at the little chapel on your left. In front are two underwater caves to swim through, testing your lungs. The water is cristal clear, you can have your eyes open, the salt water is mild.  The water is so clear that all the way during your swim across you see the bottom of the sea. Back at the beach a Cantina serves fresh salads, dips, grilled fish and a good coffee. 

Keep on walking up the hill and you come to a plateau where several ruins are for sale. It's a magic area, but has no facilities such as electricity, main water or telephone connection. A heaven for eco enthusiasts.   

We had a lot of rain.

Starting in Kioni, further North-East, a charming chapel is a sanctuary. The sterna in front is old and not in use anymore. In the past water was collected by a slope and the water was pulled up by a bucket from the centre.

The ferry comes either from Venice or Ancona in Italy to Patras. The island in the background is not habited and I heard the wild life on this place is amazing.  

Typical Greece.

Kioni, a fishing and tourist village. In the front along the sea where boats arrive and ancor for the night many tavernas, bars and coffee places are packed with people during the summer months. 

The village has attracted people from all over the world and traditional houses have been converted to magnificent homes in line with strict Ithacan building regulations.  

Most of them overlook three windmills. A landmark arriving by foot, bike, car or boat.

Walking to Homer School along this beautiful stone path, many stories predict Odysseus palace was in its surroundings, leads to this beautiful opening ....... 

with a waterfall. Worth having a guided tour.

The view is towards another fishing village named Frikes with beautiful restaurants, serving fresh fish and other specialities from the island. 

Flowers are a pleasure. 

Vines in the winter to my taste look sad, but I like the rich earth producing wild flowers during winter and spring.

Lots of them around!

Camomille tea.....

Venetians occupied the Ioanian Islands for many hundred of years and architecture can proof this to date. Still now building restrictions are based on a Venetian style.  







Hill top village with another church!

Walking through rugged terrain suddenly this park like area opened up. Ithaca is full of surprises. 

In the background is neighbouring Lefkada. During the summer many boats hang-out along the many secluded beaches. The water is warm, cristal clear and it has some sandy beaches. 

Happy 2013 - exciting times for Itha108

Use your imagination; 

breath in warm winter air; feel the sun burning your back 

and listen to the sound of waves and birds:

The ground floor of the main house is on your left. Three double bedrooms with en-suit bathrooms occupy this floor, with french doors leading to a terrace looking South West towards Kefalonia. You can relax on a daybed, read your book on an Indian swing or walk down to one of many secluded beaches. Often you find yourself alone even in August. Have a siesta in your cool bedroom.

The first floor has further bedrooms, a library and a terrace with spectacular view over the sea and sunset. A perfect place for dinner.  

This photo was taken from the outdoor living space, which is between the main and the stone house. The side wall gives you an idea of bedroom space and view you are going to have. 

Below the three bedrooms, on the lower ground floor is a yoga room supplied with fresh air and natural light. I am excited about the excavation of a rock along the right side. This is going to be an interesting feature behind a large window. During the heat of the day, if you like to practice yoga in a cooler place the rock gives you the feeling of a cave. At night lit up, what a sight! I can't wait to practice and teach in this room. It's going to be incredible, even my engineer expressed an interest in yoga.  

I mentioned an out-door living space. This is going to be it. The photo was taken inside the stone house kitchen with its massive door. The view is towards the main house. The area is eventually covered by a pergola and on the right side along rocks an out-door kitchen perfect for breakfast and lunch. An ideal lunch place as it's totally shaded. 

This area has many interesting places for daybeds, low tables and floor cushions. No need to sit at a table for lunch if you don't feel like it. 

This is the front of the kitchen and breakfast is served on this terrace.  Enjoy the morning sun or if you prefere shade plenty of trees for you to sit under.  

Your back is turned to the stone house and part of the breakfast terrace is still a building site. The sea looks far, but it's only seven minutes walk away! 

Bath tub or you own plunge pool? 

View from you bath tub. The large stone steps are going to be day beds and to your left around the corner is a shower area.   

Growing on one of the many beaches below Itha108 is this extraordinary looking olive tree. It is coming out of a rock surrounded by salt water?  

If you are an early morning person this is worth seeing. At full moon the night light and energy is amazing even at 6am in the morning. 

Activity - Stone House

It looks easy and effortless, believe me it is the oposite. Each stone is hand chiseled and carefully placed not exposing a great deal of pointing. A fine Art. 

One of the experts chopping away in mid-day sun. Last day of September and the temperature is still very high. Everyday on my visits they ask if I am going for a swim. Being close to the sea, hearing waves and gurgling water bashing against rocks must make you wont to jump into this wonderful clear and refreshing sea. 

Side view

Half front view

Back view

The beginning of the main house. Digging should finish early this week. Excavating large rocks, useful for stone walls.  

These two impressive rocks located on the front right corner of the main house make a natural divide, securing privacy between the main and stone house. The overhanging rock  an ideal place for a backgammon table. Cool and shaded. Imagine steps going up from the left side of the pyramid shaped figure to a covered outdoor sitting area. The outdoor sitting, cooking and eating area I assume is going to be the heart of Itha108.  

     

Stone House under Construction

Stone House containing indoor Kitchen and Dining

Seeing the beginning of each stone laid is exciting. The back of the house and it's surrounding supporting dry stone walls are first before sides and front walls are covered. The stone is from the land, each piece selected, cut into shape and placed.  

  

View from the terrace in front of the stone house where breakfast is served enjoying the morning sun. 

A natural rock is screening the stone house with the main house. This area is going to be covered and used for lunch as it has an outdoor kitchen and living area.

Standing mids the outdoor living area pointing where the main house with bedrooms, library, indoor yoga shala and out door living/dining terrace is going to be.  

Walking towards one of the many beaches in walking distance away, looking back and pleased about how secret and hidden Itha108 is going to be. 

Spoiled by choice, water, sun and remoteness. 

Finally the building work has started

The New Road

The compliments received by the locals is overwhelming. The road towards the retreat is new, but some people from the nearby hamlet Agios Ioannis are stunned and say "hasn't it been a road all along?" Big thanks to my architect brother in finding the right spot.  

The stone wall supporting the road is new, blending in well

It feels and looks as if it has been there for centuries. 

New road leading towards the houses

View from the main road leading to the hamlet Agios Ioannis