One of the most beautiful places I have ever been is Herakleia. There are no banks, no gas stations, no police stations, no worries, no craftiness and no crowds. I ended up there in the summer of 2010 as I roamed the Cyclades busking. I had been in Naxos for about a week and I wandered down to the port to browse through the leaflets at the travel agencies to find my next destination.
Something I will never forget are the waters in Herakleia Port. One day a bunch of kids were taking running leaps off the quayside and diving into the sea one after the other while I was trying to relax and fish. When I realized there was no way I was going to relax and fish because of the commotion, I decided to do the same as them! I took a running jump and dove into the beautiful waters. I swam quite a bit, and relaxed –or so I thought– and felt tired so I tried to climb out of the water, but tried as I might, I couldn’t find a place to grab onto to lift myself out. I started to panic, banging my hands on the cement quay, I started bleeding and gulping seawater with every attempt. At some point I found a chain and hoisted myself out. But it was too late! I had drowned and didn’t know it! The kids and my girlfriend were bursting with laughter. A little later, one of the kids came up to me and told me how they were able to climb out so easily. Simple! There was ladder on the other side where they were jumping from.
When I close my eyes, in my mind comes the awaking to the most beautiful mornings. Ιn Livadi, right where the waves lick the shore, the moon lulling you to sleep and the break of dawn waking you up!
I took with me the ten years I gained in three days
I still crave the delicious stingray salad with green onions and raw olive oil we had at a wonderful little taverna perched above the port.
Leaving the island, I took with me as a souvenir the ten years I gained in three days, some pictures and many, many images in my mind!
My next destinations are Crete and Thessaloniki. Wherever you go, if the circumstances are right, especially within you, it will be wonderful!
