Back in the Saddle

The kids didn’t have their bicycles while we were in Costa Rica for the year and so they were ecstatic to find them when we got back home. They have tried to spend as much time as possible on their bikes and every spare moment, ask us if they can go for a ride. Naimah didn’t know how to ride a bike before we left for Costa Rica. We were surprised when she hopped on Gabriel’s old push bike (a bicycle with 2 wheels but no pedals) and zoomed around on it. A few days later, she was pedaling and skipped over training wheels completely.

Fira, Santorini, Greece

The kids were very excited to head to Santorini from Crete after we told them that:

“The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history…which occurred some 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of feet deep and may have led indirectly to the collapse of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, 110 km (68 mi) to the south, through the creation of a gigantic tsunami. Another popular theory holds that the eruption is the source of the legend of Atlantis.”

Wikipedia

(The little “smudge” in the center of the satellite picture above is the active volcano.)

We took a speed boat from Crete to Fira, the capital of Santorini. As you approach the island, the buildings of the city perched on the edge make the caldera look like it is capped with snow.

The city is literally hanging off the edge.

The views from within the city are breathtaking.

(I am not strangling Léah in that last picture… just trying to keep her hair from blowing in the wind.)

A big hug for Maman while taking a break from our walk.

Gabriel wearing his jersey to support Greece in the World Cup.

Ending the day with a beautiful sunset.

Lasagna Garden

We didn’t have a chance to do any gardening during the last year in Costa Rica. With the snakes and scorpions surrounding our house, our field work was limited to picking bananas and limes out of the trees.

Back in Canada, the whole family had a sudden urge to do some organic gardening in our yard so last week we spent some time building a Lasagna Garden with the kids.

We picked a spot on the south side of the house and started the prep work.

With a clean area, it was time for the layers.

Manure and compost

The “noodles” (i.e. cardboard).

More layers

Ready for planting!

On the subject of lasagna, Naimah took a break during the process to help prepare an edible version for dinner.

Welcome Back

We are back in Victoria, British Columbia. We will still be posting about the rest of our travels in Greece but figured that we would sprinkle some present-day happenings in-between.

Since we didn’t tell many people when were coming back, we expected to return to an empty home without much fanfare. What an amazing surprise to find that someone had planned the warmest welcome that we have ever received!

A streamer welcoming us in our living room

Flowers and “Welcome Home Globetrotters” note, plus some fake spilled nail polish on the kitchen counter to get a rise out of us.

A personalized sign welcoming each of our children awaiting them in their rooms

And possibly the greatest gift that anyone could bestow on a weary traveller dreading the return to a house devoid of anything edible… a fridge and counter stocked with the essentials!

In our world travels, we have met so many special people but every time we return, we are reminded how blessed we are to have such generous and thoughtful neighbours right next door. Thank you so much Laurie Anne, Richard, Reece, and Ana!