BUT, there are heaps of travel plans for this year, so I think I will be making up for lost time.
I haven't seen my parents since New Years time 2012/2013 and it was about time to see them. 1st they were going to come to Dubai again, but Dubai is a place where it's a "been there, done that." So after some thought, we decided to meet up in Serbia and then head to Greece for some R&R. It worked out great, easy breezy, and it was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice being back in Belgrade and back in my grandparents apartment (and the apartment my dad grew up). I would say it was "nice" because it brings back soo many memories, family memories, but it also makes me sad that my grandparents aren't with us anymore. BUT being in their apartment I feel connected to their spirit, it always lives in my heart.
The 1st thing that awaited me when I got picked up was fresh raspberries! I couldn't have asked for anything more. I practically ate a kg before we even got to Novi Beograd! Then besides my parents waiting for me, it was MORE fruit! In case you are wondering what the big deal is about me and fruits, well, in Dubai 99% of things are imported so things are 99% tasteless because it is pumped with preservatives and hormones to preserve it, frozen and then thawed, I don't even want to get started!!!! So anytime I go ANYWHERE, I make a nose-dive for ORGANIC, "real" organic, fruits and veggies. Luckily, Serbia has plenty of foods from the farms as well as Greece. So after my appetizer of fruits,
my parents and I headed next door to our fave restaurant, Perper, we where had our usual of soup, salad, and meat. Funny thing, and this is what I love about Serbia because you don't find this too many places, is that we had the same waiter that has been there since I can remember. We asked him, and he has been working there for more than 30 years! He recognized us and it also brought back memories because he used to serve us when I went with my grandparents, sniff sniff.
Even though I was in Belgrade for a SUPER short time, I couldn't help but take a little walk over to another familiar place, where I used to walk with my grandparents and where my parents got married - Hotel Jugoslavia! It also was where my family (all 5 of us and my grandparents and friends) celebrated 1999-2000 New Years, just after the war (the hotel was bombed) and it was a bit of a scramble to get it ready for the New Year - which they did. Ahh.... looks the same on the outside, but a bit fancy pancy on the inside! Love the walkway along the Danube river, perfect for running, cycling, roller blading and sport also.
Then it was off to Halkidiki, Greece. My parents went by bus and (to spend a wee bit more time in Serbia), I went by plane and then rented a car to meet them in Sarti (out of the 3 peninsulas, this is the 2nd, Sarthonia). It was a lovely drive, although I was a bit nervous because I haven't driven a manual car in ages AND have never really driven hills. But I made it, phew! What can I say about the week? R&R! Resting, swimming, walking on the beach, walking in town, EATING (amazing and delicious Greek salads, gyros, ice cream!), swimming some more. I did a whole lot of pleasure reading, listening to podcasts, and just relaxing!!! It was beautiful!! Most importantly, it was GREAT spending time with my parents :-)
I temporarily got addicted to Frappe's :-)
The Aegan Sea is truly remarkable. The water was soo soo soo CLEAR! I just couldn't get over it! Sooo clear and clean, wow! Just out of a postcard! It was a bit chilly once you get in, but then it was okay once you start swimming. Amazing!
View of Sarti Beach
Vesna and my mom, best friends for more than 40 years!
View of Mt. Athos
Me on the balcony, he he. Tough life, huh? :-)
One day we took a day trip to Mt. Athos to Ouranopoulis, and then took a boat from there to see the Monasteries of Mt. Athos. It was a wonderful day and really interesting to learn about the monasteries.
A small fishing village (above and 2 pics below) where we stopped for a break. A typical class Greek village, loved it!
Sights (above and below) on the road to Ouranoupolis from Sarti
Beach Halliki Hotel, where our friends Vesna and Slobo visited more than 20 years ago, and lo and behold, the same owners were there!
Ouranoupolis (above and pics below)
Boat cruise to see the monasteries and Mt. Athos:
I sadly left (my parents and Vesna and Slobo stayed a bit longer) to spend just a brief evening in Serbia, before I took off the next day. Once again, I was overcome by the hospitality of my fellow Serbs. Our dear family friends, Sashka (with her son Victor), parents Steva and Lydia, were so kind to welcome me to their home for a home cooked meal (couldn't have asked for anything better!)! It was amazing and delicious, I am still dreaming of it now! Then we (Sashka and I) took a nice walk around all the hot spots in Belgrade (lucky she lives right there), Skardilja, Knez Mihilova, passed the famous "horse" (where my parents met for their first date, he he), and again, it was sooo nice to see the cafes full of people, music and talking everywhere, and a nice European atmosphere.
And there you have it!!! It was sooo peaceful and relaxing and with good company, I really had a GREAT time! Now it's T minus one month before my next travel adventure. There is a ton of planning to do for that and my next adventure (will detail later), that it's been a bit hectic. Thank GAWD Ramadan is coming up and we work 6 hours/day instead of 9.... it REALLY is the BEST.THING.EVER! I don't even care about the not eating or drinking in public, it is AMAZING to get out when there is still sunlight out and just have the whole day for you! So plenty of time to catch up on "life stuff" as well as exercising and travel planning :-)
