Whence on the sea’s horizon comes that roar?
Can it be Barbarossa now returning
From Tunis or Algiers or from the Isles?
Two hundred vessels ride upon the waves.

Honesty is always the best answer: there is no better way to explain my month-long absence from this blog than telling you that for reasons beyond my control, I had to put my life on hold. Sometimes it happens that we can spend as long as we want trying to plan and measure our goals and milestones but then suddenly Lady Chance arrives and sweeps us off our feet, making us dance in the rain, cry in the sunshine, and smile in all weather. Our plans and schedules go out of the window, and all we can think about is trying to hold on for dear life until piece-by-piece, we rebuild the world around us and cast our safety nets back out again. Until that happens, would you mind if I blog about my travels over the past year? I promise lots of colourful pictures and even a joke or two at times!

Considering that Greece can do with our support these days, I’ll start with my adventures on the Greek island of Skopelos. Chosen in 2007 as the main shooting location for the incredibly saccharine Mamma Mia, the island is famous for its hilltop towns, beautiful flowers, and hospitable locals. To this sun-deprived Brit, Skopelos presented the dream holiday destination: peaceful enough to be able to relax from the buzzing London life, yet full of cultural references and interesting history. By “cultural references” I do not mean Mamma Mia! Skopelos is home to over 300 churches and monasteries. In 1538 AD, the island was attacked by Hayreddin Barbarossa, the Ottoman fleet admiral, and remained under Ottoman rule until 1830, when as the result of Greek Revolution, the island became part of the first Hellenic state. To this day, the island offers the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle with its fresh food, warm hospitality, and endless sunshine.