You’re not going to believe this: I am back from a holiday, all by myself, and it went ok! There were no giant cockroach infestations. There were no typhoons. There was absolutely no scuba diving. I have finally managed a single independent woman holiday that I enjoyed!

There was a small disaster when I got more excited than any adult should when it comes to fried cheese, and managed to rip one of the stitches out of my gums, and I was nearly sick with the pain, but that’s not too bad for me.  I even made a friend out of the waiter who didn’t feel washing my mouth out with salt would be very effective, so he sent me home with half a bottle of ouzo. I can confirm that this makes it much easier to sleep through pain :o)

We were given a timetable when we arrived and it turns out I did 23 of the classes on offer.

In the last week I have yoga-ed (lots)’ body sculpted (just the once as it almost killed me), done hydrofit, a sailing taster, paddle boarded, cycled:

We started at the beach behind me and at this point we weren’t half way in to the 20k ride…

The temple on our bike ride most of the way up a mountain (well, it felt like it was)

snorkelled (very proud of this as it was a bit close to scuba diving for my brain and almost resulted in a panic attack), done meditation on a  beautiful beach:

and had a walk learning all about herbs, treating illnesses with them and their links to Greek mythology from the most amazing man (I now have a dream to live in the Greek mountains with him and be his apprentice).

I even did yoga ON a paddle board ON the sea.  Not being all that great at yoga or paddle boarding, this was a bit of a risk, but doing salute to the sun – even a wobbly version –  on the water is pretty special surrounded by mountains and water.

I met some really lovely people and heard fascinating stories.  I discovered that doing downward dog in a pair shorts is not a good thing (I had NO idea I had so much cellulite on my thighs or that my knees are so baggy) but when it’s that hot, there isn’t much of a choice.  I also discovered that not only am I brave enough to have dinner on my own, I actually enjoy it. That was a bit of a revelation.

I wasn’t entirely on my own…

So this was third time lucky. I did nearly 29 hours of activities in six days, I got some sun and….I could really do with another holiday :o)

It turned out Norman made the most of being home alone.  I was left this by my sister who kindly cleared up most of the problem:

And this by the girl who came in to feed Norman:

And one last thing…. There was no donkey behind my room, but there were a lot of frogs with megaphones who kept me awake every night. As soon as they started their shouting, I woke up, regardless of the amount of medicinal ouzo drunk or painkillers taken.  It suggests I am a light sleeper, but apparently I managed to sleep through….an earthquake :o/