Anoghi, Ithaca - under the blue

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Before heading back down the mountain, there's just enough time for a drink and a sweet at the Anoghi local Café, where locals gather on a Winters day to pass the time.

Once in the mountains around Anoghi and Kathara, the landscape of barren rock held in a blue Ionian embrace, make a lasting impression on visitors to the island, and have a special place too, in the hearts of the islanders.

The old village of Anoghi, stands in ruins high above the new. Remnants of the terraced hillsides, lush once again, after the rains and drywall stone houses scattered across the rugged landscape.

The marital bed, takes on a whole new meaning when it's used to fence out the goats. Above Anoghi village, the views are of course wide and spectacular, but there is also a great sense of peace and tranquility among the boulders and ancient stones.

It's easy to understand why early settlers of Ithaki, chose Anoghi for safety against pirates.

Anoghi has always been vulnerable to earthquakes, and suffered badly with the earthquakes of 1953, the evidence of which is scattered far and wide over the mountainside and plateau of this area. Anoghi, and the surrounding area, can be as gloomy as it can be beautiful. On stormy Winter days, the village can be covered in a thick blanket of cloud from which there is no visibility to the outside world. While the lower villages see the sky and possibly sun, Anoghis' views are grey and bleak, but even this has a beauty that is undeniable.

When you live anywhere for a long time, it's easy to overlook the beauty with which you live each day, so occasionally it's important to get out and remind yourself of what it is about the place you live that draws you to it. People always comment how lucky the locals of Ithaki are to live amongst such undeniable beauty, but the locals can forget about this beauty with the commitments of the 'Everyday' to struggle through, just like the rest of the world. Luckily on Ithaca, more often than not, a great day knocks on the door to show you what's outside.