Follow Greece Immigration to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Greece: Compared to the fame of Santorini, the island of Kefalonia in western Greece appears much quieter. It is a place rarely recommended in Chinese-language guides, yet it is a favorite vacation destination for Europeans and Americans. As the largest of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia is eight times the size of Santorini, while its permanent population is only double that of the latter. You can often drive for a long time without seeing anyone, except for the occasional herd of mountain goats with bells hanging around their necks on the cliffs. This actually fits the modern pursuit of a slow-paced lifestyle; all you need to do is enjoy the sunshine, the beach, and relax your mind.
Transportation to Kefalonia is not as convenient as it is to Santorini. Once the small plane lands, the dozens of tourists who disembark disappear almost instantly. There is almost no public transportation here, making it more suitable for renting a convertible jeep for a self-driving tour. A reliable mobile map app is essential, and since there are no dense high-rise buildings on the island, you don't have to worry about satellite navigation; you can make good use of it.
Quietly enjoy the beautiful seaside scenery. Quietly enjoy the beautiful seaside scenery.
Since there are no guides to refer to, we decided to go for a completely free-spirited trip, following the navigation around the island. Unexpectedly, the trips without plans or expectations turned out to be the biggest surprises. Starting from Argostolion, the capital located in the southwest of the island, we headed east. The autumn sun was no longer scorching. We drove with the windows down, and the gentle sea breeze hit our faces, which was extremely pleasant. Driving along the coast, we were attracted by the scenery on the side of the road from time to time. Because the terrain is relatively low, the endless sea seemed within reach. The mountain roads were not too rugged; the roads were not wide, and there were occasional sharp turns, giving the journey a bit of an off-road feel. The scenery along the way was varied: one moment it looked like the invincible sea view of the east coast of Taiwan, and the next it entered a dense primeval forest. Farmhouses were built against the mountains, and as we moved further, we might encounter vast, bare rocks. Rows of windmills felt more like entering a highway in the American West. Although we drove for two hours, because the scenery was beautiful and ever-changing, and we were enjoying sunbathing in the sea breeze, we didn't feel the passage of time at all. It wasn't until small villas began to appear along the street that we realized we were not far from the small town.
Before the town came into view, an endless beach appeared. The seawater was transparent and azure as if enchanted. Compared with Santorini, this sea is lighter, purer, and more intimate. We strolled along the beach, and occasionally black sea urchins appeared. I couldn't help but grab one and put it in my hand; I could see its spines moving. The ticklish sensation was the feeling of life, which was very interesting. My companions were unable to resist the temptation of the seawater, changed their clothes, and jumped into the sea. One of them dove in, and when he came up, he couldn't hide his excitement, shouting: "The water is so clear, there are so many clownfish below!"
Enjoy the intimacy of the seawater in the azure blue. Enjoy the intimacy of the seawater in the azure blue.
Calling it a small town, it is actually just a few streets crossing each other; you can leave it in less than ten minutes by car. There are many bars, cafes, and restaurants along the street in the town. Greeks live a very leisurely life. After 3:00 PM, the whole town is almost quiet, as if everyone has gone back to take a nap. It is not until the sun sets around 7:00 PM that people gradually come out for dinner. The streets become lively, and nightlife begins with singing and dancing, lasting until midnight, as if they want to experience the ups and downs of the day before calling it a day. Fortunately, the tranquility of this island makes such hustle and bustle look more like an embellishment of a plain life. No one is addicted to it; just like the sunset, it is enough to have it.