Arrival

It felt strange. 

I felt like the atmosphere was wrapping itself around me like a cocoon. The warmth from the midday sun seeped into my bones as I took a deep breath and stretched. I had been up since before the literal crack of dawn but somehow being here in the outside air in a Greek city of all places I felt invigorated. Like I wanted to go for a run or something. 

Which is unusual as I do not run. Walk yes, hunt yeah that too, but run.... God no, not me, never.

The air is caressing my skin like a comforting blanket and I am getting the oddest sensation. It's not home, but all the same, it feels like home.

 I like it. It's nice. Even despite the people, the noise and the traffic. Turns out i may like Greece after all. Go figure, and here I wanted us to go to Italy when Sorley suggested this holiday.

I am still lost in my own little world when I am literally snapped to attention by my brother.

"Earth to Dee, hello are you in there?" Says Sorley snapping his fingers infront of my face to get my attention.

I snap my head around looking at him realising just how totally lost for a moment there.

"Shit, sorry I was, well I'm not sure to be honest" i laugh. "What did you say?"

"Come on you" he laughs at my confusion " I was saying our shuttle is this way" he says leading us to a bay with bus shuttle number 623G stamped above the front window.

We load our cases with the other passengers and climb in for the last leg of our journey.

We are travelling North West to the coastal town or Irratrea,  not far from The valley of Delphi - named as such because it looked like a uterus- apparently. Handy little bit of trivia for a pub quiz if I ever need it.

We take our seats and before long the shuttle bus is rambling along the road. There is a guide at the front pointing to different areas of interest as we are driven to the hotel and Sorley being the bookworm he is, is lapping up every phrase that comes out the man's mouth. 

I on the other hand am staring out of the window puzzled by the strange feeling of belonging that has overcome me.  Maybe my brother was right, if I am having this strong of a visceral reaction to the place,then I should definitely travel more. It seems it might suit me.

We arrive into a small coastal town, quite clearly not built for tourist trapping. It seems so beautiful and quaint, built into a hillside, looking over a small stone harbour that is packed with small antiquated fishing boats. 

Obviously rust from the salt water is not as much of an issue in this dry heat, compared to back home where even the newest of boats display rust rather fast - unless that is they are made with stainless steel of course.

The town is made up with square shaped buildings with flat roofs that are a golden terracotta colour though some others have been white washed with paint. In the windows complete with slatted shutters of all different colours appear to be window boxes with little herb gardens planted. This really is a gorgeous little town. I might just have to go for a wonder and get lost for a few hours tomorrow. 

The driver expertly manoeuvres

the shuttle bus through the narrow streets. It is typically a lot emptier now. we must be one of the last remaining sets of guests to be dropped off from it as there are only about five pairs of folk left. 

As it turns up the hill mounting the cliff side, we get an unadulterated view of the Mediterranean and I feel a pang in my chest. 

 It's an unsettling feeling and I am still trying to rub it away as the shuttle bus turns into hotel complex. 

The hotel we are staying in, - complete with a five star spa, yes please and thank you very much- is set up like a tiny village in itself. Tiers of buildings are built in levels along the cliff down towards a small bay at the bottom where there are sunbeds and loungers laid out along a little stone pier. Each little building has it's own door and balcony like terrace to enjoy the view along the cliffs and out to sea. It is a beautiful place.

We disembarked from the bus and collect our bags, stretching out our kinked up muscles as we do. God that's been a long time to be cramped up sat in transport mode. 

Deciding we will check in first before grabbing some lunch we head into the reception. 

The foyer is all gold and silvery marble work,, polished to within an inch of its life. 

I mean I am pretty sure I can see up my own nose from my reflection in the floor.  There are fancy lights fitted like sconces into the walls and a high domed white roof, leaving the area feeling fresh and clean. (And way way too posh for the likes of me).

Sorley and I collect our keys and head outside through a giant open archway to find a lovely chap running up to us from a little golf buggy looking vehicle. He smiles hello and loads our bags up for us despite our protests and offers of help. He asks us to hop on next and we are off.

He zooms us through the little winding street like alleys between the rooms and we find ourselves in no time at all deposited at our doors. Sorley is dropped off five doors down from myself as I stand for a second and just take everything in. He tips the chap for us both and we thank him profusely, while I am wondering if they hire the buggies out for fun, because that was ace.

I put the key card into the slot and step into my own little piece of heavens Sanctuary for the next fortnight.

Wow.

The room is decorated in white with blue and gold accents. As I walk inside further with my bags I discover a large king sized bed, with crisp white linen sheets. I pass a small couch by the double doors as I head out to my terraced balcony - with private hot tub. 

Oh there hello beautiful I think eyeing it up wistfully. There are also two sun loungers out there and a folding drying rack attached to the wall. I lean over the edge of the balcony and take in a deep breath of warm sea air - now that's a novelty i could get used to. 

This feels like heaven already.

 I could be floating on a cloud of contentment right now.  I am still outside just being, when I am brought back to reality by a loud growl. 

My stomach. 

It's lunch time afterall. 

I go back through the double balcony doors into the bedroom and grab my suitcase looking for my toiletries and something to wear. I quickly shower and wash my hair, getting off all that travelly, airporty, shuttle bus smell.  The shower in itself is amazing but I am too hungry to linger long in it. 

I get out and blast my red hair with the hair dryer till it's mostly dry. I throw on my emerald green bikini followed by a softer pastel green wrap style sundress. Flip flops are on and I am out the door. Lunch time here I come.

I am opening my door as Sorley is about to knock on it. 

I laugh feeling like I am in the best mood I have been a long time.

"Tummy alarm going off for you too big brother?" I ask

"You know it Dee. Let's go get some grub" he laughs as we link our arms heading towards one of the hotels built in restaurants. 

We walk through the hotel complex's bright and vibrant alleys heading towards one of the restaurants situated closer to the sea, lower down on the cliff. Dotted all around us are exotic looking flowers and palm trees. It smells amazing. I would highly recommend this place already, I cant tell whether it's the warmth, the location, the decor or just the atmosphere, but I feel like I belong in a strange way. 

Definitely need to get out more often if this is the effect it has on me.

We descend the stairs built into the cliff side and round the corner onto a large open terrace, with a pergola built over the top draped in fairy lights and hanging vines. There are tables dotted all around. We have obviously found the entrance to the restaurant and my stomach starts demanding food quite loudly I hate to say when the smells from the other guests tables start to hit my nose. 

We are shown to a table and after assuring the waiters very awkwardly I might add that we are definitely one hundred percent not a couple -gag- and thus I am not requiring extra candles, flowers or any other mushy lovey dovey romantic stuff, we managed to order lunch and proceed to eat in relative silence (see what I did there) not long after.

When we have finished our meal we order a couple of drinks to go and head down to find some spare sun loungers near the sea.

After applying sun lotion to my peely walley skin I sit back and chill out with my eyes shut, just enjoying the warmth thats gradually seeping into my bones, the buzz from my sangria and the peace at being here.

I am still enjoying the peace when I hear Sorley get up and head off towards the water. He must be off for a swim. This is heaven, why haven't I done this before I am wondering when I hear Sorley, at least I presume its Sorley, returning to his seat.

"AHHH!!" I scream at the top of my lungs, when I am suddenly drenched in a bucket of ice cold sea water by my dear lovely brother!

"You wanker!!"

 I fume at him as he proceeds to pull out his phone and snap some pictures of me, drenched from head to foot like a drowned rat! "What the hell was that for you knob?" I ask as I grab my towel to start drying myself off. The change in temperature feels like an electric shock to my system. 

"Payback is a bitch, dear sister" he guffaws."Maybe you will think twice before giving me another impromptu make over" 

His eyes are twinkling with laughter, but he makes two mistakes. 

One. He puts his phone down, that frees up me from any guilt pertaining to potential to water damage. 

Two. The twit, -who is bone dry having obviously planned this all along and not having went for a swim -Well he has forgotten that the sun loungers we chose are on the edge of a small pier and his sister has no filter.

So I choose to do the only viable option to regain any dignity I can still muster. 

No, I do not walk away or laugh it off. 

No, no. I rugby tackle my brother in the gut, straight off the edge of the pier and into the sea!  

"Dee, you lunatic "he splutters as we breach the surface of the water again.

The water for a split second appears to turn to glass, perfectly still and reflective. Before I shake my head and splash more water at my brother.

"Aye, not so cocky now you're not dry yourself are you Sorley" I shout back as we swim over towards the ladder to climb back up to our seats. 

"At least you weren't fully clothed!" Complains my brother.

"Oh hush, you're wearing a vest and swim shorts, it's hardly a tux." I mutter back at him shaking my head. 

"Yeah, but," he goes to complain as we start up the ladder.

"Oh, stop your whining it's a bit of fun" I retort shaking my head at him.

He sighs in defeat, more annoyed his plan backfired on him than anything else. LOSER.

As we touch back down onto the pier I look around and see several other guests are now filming us. Guess we could be going viral. So, I do the only normal thing at this realisation, and when Sorley gets up the ladder behind me and sees the phones raised I decide tto help him our a bit- As he is clearly embarrassed with all the attention.

And thus I push him back into the sea, turn to the cameras and take a bow. 

 "We are here all week" I shout and turn to see a miffed blonde climbing the ladder again. 

"Dee, I swear to all that is holy, pack it in" he growls at me

"Aw, but it looked like you didn't want to be on camera anymore" I tease "Oh or are you just worried the lovely Angie will see it and you will lose the big strong macho image she has of you? After you know seeing you with a face full of make up designed for a seven year old." I pout at him as we head back to our loungers to dry off in the sun. 

"You are lucky your my sister and I like you, you know that?" He says as we sit down

"I know." I smile sweetly at him "Back at you big brother, back at you"