Follow Greek immigration to enjoy life in Greece: As the largest island in the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia is equivalent to eight times the size of Santorini, yet its permanent population is only double that of Santorini. Typically, after a long drive, you might not see anyone except for the occasional mountain goats with bells hanging from their necks on the cliffs. This actually aligns well with the modern pursuit of a slow-paced lifestyle; all you need to do is enjoy the sunshine, the beach, and relax.
Compared to the fame of Santorini, Kefalonia in western Greece appears much quieter. It is a place rarely recommended in Chinese, yet it is a favored vacation spot for Europeans and Americans. The transportation to Kefalonia is not as convenient as to Santorini; when a small plane lands, the few dozen tourists disembark and quickly disappear. There is almost no public transportation here, making it more suitable for you to rent a convertible jeep for a self-driving tour. A good mobile map application is essential, as there are no dense high-rise buildings on the island, so you need not worry about satellite navigation; you can make good use of it.
Since there are no guides to refer to, we decided to embark on a completely free trip, following the navigation for a round-the-island tour. Surprisingly, the most unexpected joy came from the itinerary that was least planned and anticipated. Starting from the capital Argostolion located in the southwest of Kefalonia, we headed east. The autumn sun was no longer scorching, and with the windows down, a gentle sea breeze greeted us, which was extremely pleasant. Driving along the coast, we were occasionally attracted by the scenery along the roadside. Due to the relatively low terrain, the vast sea seemed within reach. The mountain roads were not too rugged, and the roads were narrow, with occasional sharp turns, giving the journey a bit of an off-road flavor. The scenery along the way was varied; at times it resembled the unbeatable coastal views of Taiwan's east coast, and at other times we entered dense primeval forests, with farmhouses built against the mountains. Further ahead, we might encounter open, bare rocks, and rows of windmills that felt like we had entered the highways of the American West. Although we drove for two hours, the ever-changing and picturesque scenery, combined with the sea breeze and sunbathing, made us completely unaware of the passage of time, until we began to see small villas along the street, at which point we realized we were not far from the town.
Even before the town came into view, we were greeted by an endless beach, with the sea water appearing magically transparent and azure. Compared to Santorini, this sea felt lighter, purer, and more approachable. We strolled along the beach, occasionally spotting black sea urchins, which we couldn't resist picking up to hold in our hands, watching their spines move, a ticklish sensation of life that was quite interesting. One of my companions, unable to resist the temptation of the sea, changed clothes and jumped in. When he resurfaced, he couldn't hide his excitement, shouting joyfully: "The water is so clear, there are so many clownfish below!"
Although it is called a town, it is really just a few streets wide, and you can leave in less than ten minutes by car. One side of the street in the town is lined with many bars, cafes, and restaurants. The Greeks live a very laid-back lifestyle; after three in the afternoon, the entire town becomes quiet, as if everyone has gone home for a nap. It is not until around seven in the evening, when the sun sets, that people gradually come out for dinner, and the streets become lively, with nightlife beginning, filled with singing and dancing, continuing until midnight, as if they must experience the ups and downs of the day before they can rest. Fortunately, the tranquility of this island makes such noise seem more like an embellishment of ordinary life; no one is obsessed with it, just like the sunset, it is enough to simply enjoy it.