Philoxenia is a Greek word which means “friend to the stranger.”
From the moment we arrived at Kalesma, the Mykonian hideaway, we were warmly greeted like an old friend.
And when we were shown our suite, Mum decided we were staying put for the rest of the day.
She went around taking in the beauty of everything and took lots of photos.
While she was doing that, I spent hours just sitting outside, watching the boats sailing by and listening to the October winds blowing.
There was a slight breeze, the temperature was warm enough to sit outside, the hotel was half full but it was so peaceful and calm.
In the morning we woke up to the sun rising in the horizon in front of our bedroom …
Every evening we sat in the outdoor Aloni Sunset Lounge and watched the sun setting behind the tiny island of Delos, where according to Greek mythology, Apollo was born.
We would sit and watch till the last bit of the sun disappeared from view, leaving the skies ablazed.
On our first evening, as we walked away to sit by the pool, one of the staff who had seen us watch the sunset, pointed to the horizon and said, “And now the moon rises!”
Mum didn’t even know there’s such a thing as moon rise but of course there is. I suppose because we live in a city and we don’t get to see the horizon, never gave it much thought as we had just assumed that the moon was just “switched on”. The world is round and it does rotate around all the other celestial bodies. LOL!
As we sat and watched the moon rise while sitting in the restaurant, we looked back to where the sun had just set and the sky was still aglow. It was a moment of wonder as a day ended and the night began.
It happened to be the night of the October Hunter’s Full Moon. When we went back to our suite, we sat by the pool and sat together looking up at the orb of light in the sky.
Even though it was bright, we could still see the stars – and we found Polaris (the North Star) in the Ursa Minor constellation. At that moment, we three were together. Love you to the moon and back, they say, we love you, Darcy, all the way to the stars and back – that’s much, much further than the moon!
During the day when we did leave our suite, it was without a doubt I was fussed over – by staff and guests! The staff even offered to walk me and drove us in the golf carts – and took me to the vet.
I even got cuddles from the Aby, one of the owners of the hotel.
But there was a moment when I spotted this ginger feline …
All calm at Kalesma was broken when I suddenly found myself unfettered … and by the time Mum realised I was further away from the chair than I should be, I decided to tell the cat what I thought of her. I leapt off the step and confronted her. I barked and she hissed, and as I circled around her, she stood her ground with her puffed up tail.
Mum with her dodgy knee could not move fast enough to grab my lead and all the restaurant staff and other guests gathered at the scene and seemed to find it fascinating. As the feline creature found a way past me, I half chased her … as I heard Mum shouting after me, and only then some of the staff started to run after us. I am usually a lot faster than I ran that day probably because I think I knew I wasn’t suppose to. I hesitated before I gave chase. So I was easily caught and brought back with the look of guilt.
When are we going back to Kalesma?
Did you say April?
May’s comment: The true “philoxenia” experience is fundamentally linked to feelings of familiarity, comfort, relaxation and happiness. That was how we felt during our stay at Kalesma which means ‘inviting’ in Greek. And dogs are most welcome.
The whitewashed, thoughtfully designed collection of houses that make up Kalesma have been created to resemble a charming Mykonian village. The property tumbles down a slope to Ornos Bay, and it’s just a short walk from Ornos beach.
Kalesma is spread out on five acres of with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and 360 degree vistas, affording the unique opportunity to enjoy both sunrise and sunset from the same spot.
Engaging in all five senses, breathtaking views, comforting sounds, earthly textures,
tantalized tastes and enticing aromas.
Inspired by Cycladic architecture, Kalesma combines tradition with contemporary elements, offering sleek and minimalist interiors that are created using locally sourced materials.
The attention to detail is meticulous.
After resisting coming to Mykonos all this time, our experience at Kalesma in early October changed my mind. I’ve always avoided the island because of its reputation as an overcrowded party destination. It still is during the high season months. So it was a good choice to be there in early October where the sun still shines and the temperature during the day was very comfortable and the evenings just a bit chilly. Being able to enjoy sunrise, sunset and even moon rise in one location made it just that much more special.
And looking at the stars at night – knowing Darcy’s up there.
I didn’t know I needed Mykonos on my bucket list. Well, I’ve ticked it off now. Thank you Kalesma for making it such a magical experience.
One Response
What a beautiful place , lovely hotel and the sunset and rising of the moon and then seeing Darcy’s star was the icing on the cake .
Goorge was a really good boy but who can resist a ginger cat , just a little slip . I’m sure you weren’t that angry May , after all he is a plucky little boy .
Really enjoyed seeing you both and of course Darcy was there too .🐾🐾💞