Civilization on this, the second tiniest of the Greek Isles, dates back to 2 BC.
Final destination of Homer's Greek Hero, Odysseus, from The Odyssey.
A small jewel in the Mediterranean Sea riddled with limestone caves, pebbled beaches, ringed with turquoise blue water. One can imagine returning to this...to stay. One wonders why you would EVER leave to begin with...
This olive tree, found on the island, is over 1,500 years old.
The limestone honeycomb caves begging for kayak exploration.
A small tour of Ithaka.
https://youtu.be/LKSXYkxuaYQ
There is an Odyssey Kayak Club actually available on the Island for the Adventurous!
This video of kayaking the sea caves is from nearby Kefalonia, but it is likely a similar experience.
https://youtu.be/amfzMSukbJw
Today, I began my attempts to capture the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea...all those gorgeous blues and the grottos and sea caves on canvas. Not much to start with...just blocking in the sea and sky. Even the Royal blues and Admiral blues which make the sky appear washed out...light...fail to do it justice. No matter how bright the blue...it seems lacking.
Like Genesis, with only the suggestions of sky and water...I will bring forth the limestone grottos, stacks and landforms tomorrow as soon as all this blue dries.
Played with the mixture of the various blues on my palette long after leaving the canvas. My painting jeans now have a deep splotch and run of Mediterranean Sea down the right thigh from a moment of carelessness with the loaded brush.
Even cleaning the palette (black plastic as it is much easier to work & clean with the acrylics) was an Aegean Adventure. Swirls of whites and turquoise, royal and Cerulean Blues mingling...foaming up...and creating a small sea of their own in the metal sink before whisking away.
I have never considered cleaning brushes or the palette to be anything more than a necessary, messy chore...but not today.
Maybe I should just pay attention more closely.
Soon, we will explore Crete.
