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[drivingaphrodite]

Thanks to global warming we had the pleasure to enjoy a few 🌞 days this week. I miss though sitting outside a cafe shop enjoying a piece of cheesecake 😭 instead let's enjoy sitting in a park outside the pinky Castle 👀 • • • • #schlossbenrath #pinkcastle #dusseldorf #sunnydays #november #goodweather #trip #nature #nature_perfection #enjoysun #justfortoday #instagermany #wundervoll #schönertag #schlosspark #bestgermanypics #stadtliebe (at Düsseldorf, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH5wqoxHmHr/?igshid=10wbiwoa1mekr

[drivingaphrodite]

Working on a Greek island

Moving to Kos last summer, living and working in a hotel there, has taught me so much about diversity in communities and adapting to others different from myself. Being born and raised in a big city, my transition to living in Greece has enforced me to adapt to the island life of Kos. In the first weeks I felt like I had jumped into the water without knowing the depth of the sea. Afterwards I understood that in fact that is the best way to learn how to swim. 

From all the staff I was the only one who couldn't speak or understand Greek at all. Not speaking Greek got me sometimes into difficult and awkward situations, but in the end that motivated me to learn a little bit Greek. Over the time they all knew I couldn't speak Greek so they would come and talk to me in English. That changed my behavior from feeling fear to feeling accepted in the team. I was able to easily interact with those around me and overcame my language barriers. And now even though the season has finished a while ago, we are still in touch with each other and we keep our friendship.

From my experience in Greece I understood how hard it is to create cultural awareness in a diverse community. Building very good communication skills was very helpful. Taking the hotel bus to go to work, having meals together everyday, organizing different events all together (like picnics, parties), were the strategies of our hotel manager to build teamwork and increase employee satisfaction and happiness. It is hard to finish the season with the same energy you started it, after some time you just get tired of that routine. That is why having positive thoughts and helping each other was essential to our team.

Finally I would like to close my today's writing with a quotation from a famous Greek philosopher, Aristotle: "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work". 

[drivingaphrodite]

My postcard from Bodrum⛵

The story of this photo: Photo was taken by a complete stranger who was taking photo of his girlfriend and while the girlfriend was complaining about the photos I asked him to take me some 😂 🤷🏼‍♀️

[drivingaphrodite]

From sunrise to sunset, I loved this island...

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Symi. 

I found out about Symi Island while scrolling on my instagram search. It looked like adventure to me, so I immediately started planning everything, because there was not much time left before coming back to Cologne, Germany. 

Symi is about 3 hours by ferry away from Kos. You can check about the tickets easily online. I booked mine at https://www.directferries.co.uk/, but there are many other websites too. At least a few hours before the departure time you'll have to go there to pay and pick up the tickets. The office is open from 9:00-18:00. 

Unfortunately the next day I had to work, so I had to get back to Kos the same day. My advice to you would be to book a room for at least one night depending on your schedule.  Booking a room in Symi it's not at all expensive, starting from 40€ per night. Best jpart is you don't need a car to explore the island, you can just walk around or ask for a bicycle at the hotel.

I love the architecture of this island. All the houses are decorated with a Neoclassical facade and painted in bright pastel tones, giving Symi a truly unique appearance. The harbour town of Symi is certainly among the most memorable scenes we encounter on any of our tours. Symi is much smaller than Kos and that's why I got so curious to know more about the number of population and the economy of the island. While enjoying ice cream in a nice coffee place, we started talking to some of the locals and they informed us more about the island. Interesting fact is that this  island is the permanent home of about 120 non-Greek residents, 50 of whom are British. I guess I'm not the only one who fell in love with Symi…

The island is well known about a few things like shipbuilding and sponge industries. But when it comes to food, the island is known for its unique shrimps. Named "Symi's shrimps", these are small shrimps that are pan fried and eaten whole (with the shell). 

If you're in Greece don't miss the chance to visit Symi.

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Symi Island, is also part of Dodecanese Islands. This is definitely my favorite picture from my last summer in Greece.

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 Zia!

No trip to Kos is complete without a visit to Zia. The view is spectacular across the island and over to Turkey.  If you want my advice .. don’t just stay in the tourist square, walk further up to explore not only the beauty but also the cultural part of this village! Make sure you climb the hill behind the main street of shops and visit the church and square at the top. It's a steep climb but worth it. Zia is also a great chance to buy some souvenirs and small gifts for your loved ones.

[drivingaphrodite]

Second part of a well spended Sunday...

Ammos Beach Bar transforms completely the island’s Sunday afternoons, organizing the most unique and rhythmic beach parties. When the sun sets, music gets louder and the partygoers start dancing the night away with a glass of champagne or cocktail in their hands.

With a line-up that consists of famous Greek and European DJ’s, dance prevails under the sounds of house and mainstream music. No matter how old you are or what your life situation is, everyone could always use a fun day+night out having a good time with friends and why not with all the new people you might meet during your time in Kos. I love being sociable and Greek people are good at it too. So give it a try and get to know the island from a completely different perspective. 

The alcohol, the music and the people makes this place so lovable and easy to stay out until the sun rises. This is why a Sunday at Ammos Beach bar is the best choice to push all your problems aside and just have fun!

[drivingaphrodite]

First part of a well spended Sunday…

From my experience in Kos, the best thing to do on Sunday is to spend the whole day at Ammos Beach Cocktail Bar. It is a modern Beach Bar in Psalidi not far away from Kos Town. What I love about this place is that it is crowded from young, good looking people and it suits perfectly to my kind of morning schedule. I don't like waking up too early on a Sunday morning, but also not too late, something in between like 9:00- 10:00 am. And that's the best time to take the bus or if you have a rented vehicle and go to Ammos. 

The food is amazing not just good looking but also tasty and you can also refresh yourself with different fruit smoothies or milkshakes they have. After breakfast you decide which sunbeds you like all of them are close to the sea. The sea is crystal- clear but also deeper than in other parts of Kos beaches. 

There is during all the time good music in the background and that creates a whole other mood. The staff is always friendly and they try to be as fast as possible, but the place is big so they have to walk a lot around all day. Anytime you want to order a snack or a drink you just wave your hand and they'll come by to take your order. As a bartender by myself I have to say that they also make very good cocktails and you should give it a try. If You are more into wine than cocktails give it a try to the wine variants they have because the owner of the place also produces wine. 

So the first part of the day goes like this chilling in a beach bar which combines exceptional food and service with fancy drinks in a wonderful atmosphere!!

But what happens at Ammos when the sun starts to go down?!  ...

[drivingaphrodite]

Mylos Beach Bar

This photo I took at 6am after a long Party night, while I was waiting for my taxi to come😅

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Nightlife mood on ( Part 2 ).

After spending 2-3 hours at Sitar cocktails bar, it's time to keep your party night going. Before starting the real party, on your way to the club, my suggestion would be grabbing a bite and where else but Podia. It's just a small fast food truck that usual tourists don't even know, but it is locals favourite one. You'll probably have to wait at least 30 min to get your order but it's worth the wait. This truck is close to the sea so meanwhile enjoy the view. 

Next stop is Mylos beach bar. If you are more than 3 people, it's probably a good idea to call a few hours before and make a reservation because the place is muchly crowded. From the moment you get there it's a different vibe. Open sky bar, seasight, surrounded by colorful lights with enough space to dance around. In peak season on weekends they organize different events inviting famous DJs and singers. Ethnic, rock, Latin and Greek music plays at the stylish bar that decorates the island alleyways.

The Staff is very professional and you get the feeling they're not just colleagues, they're more like a big family. If you notice a middle aged man with very long gray hair, staying at the bar, it's the owner of the place. He's a very nice and friendly person, making sure everything is fine. 

Music, alcohol and the seabreeze will keep the night alive until first light.

My last advice for today's writing is not to forget to pack cool, comfortable outfits for your nightlife on the island.

Thanks for reading, until next time. 

[drivingaphrodite]

Nightlife mood on. (Part 1)

Cocktails, dancing and clubbing all night: welcome to Greece, the nation that defined the meaning of a good time. From all Dodecanese Islands, Kos is the one which has the craziest nightlife. Fun fact is that during the day even on weekends, you'll see in the center of Kos (Kos Town) everywhere tourists. All the local people are working, because most of them work only during summer season. But as soon as Thursday comes and the sun goes down you'll be surrounded by locals laughing, drinking and dancing. The reason why I mentioned this is because I love the way Greek live their lives, no matter how busy they are they always find time to party. 

There are different places you can go out at night in Kos. My favorite place to start my night out was Sitar Cocktail bar. It's located in the center of town, in front of the Harbour, very easy to find. During the day you’d be forgiven for not noticing the Sitar Cocktail Bar... but at night the bar comes to life with a perfectly alfresco seating area. Comfy sofa style seats and stools that are lit by night with large pendant lights hanging from the large trees above.The great atmosphere, very good music and the best cocktails mixed and poured from dusk till dawn are the reasons why you should start your night here. It’s not cheap but it is reasonably priced according to the fact that they offer cocktails which you don't find in most common places.

To be continued...

[drivingaphrodite]

How to survive in 33° 👙 P.S "Let me know if there's a car coming" 😜 🏞️ • • • • • #summer2019 #summervibes #fashion #fashionstyle #fashionblogger #fashiongram #fashionaddict #style #stylegram #styleblogger #stylish #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #outfit #outfits #mood #shopping #bikini #beach #sugarfreeshops https://www.instagram.com/p/BzYDi6vIur9/?igshid=1scn8fi1vg4qp

[drivingaphrodite]

Paradise beach. 

"Guns n roses- Paradise City" is the anthem of today's writing because this time I'm taking you to Paradise Beach.

It is a beautiful sandy beach in the south of the island in Kefalos. The sand in the picturesque bay is soft, white and well-groomed. The path to the beach is very beautiful and the view is breathtaking.

Beside renting sun loungers to lay in the sun and swim in the blue clear waters, there you'll also find a variety of water sports to do, like: Paragliding, jet skis and rings etc. The prices are affordable and you also can get special offers if you decide to try more than one activity. 

Remind yourself to take some photos while you're there. 

Thanks for reading, until next time. 

[drivingaphrodite]

Paradise Beach Kos.

[drivingaphrodite]

A day in Kos.

Today's writing is about Thermal Springs Kos and when is the best time to visit it.

Thermal waters or other known as Agios Fokas Beach is located on the back of a huge cliffside, a few hundred meters down a hill. If you are an early bird kind of person don't waste time, pack your things so you'll be there at 8 am. Go to spend there the next 2 hours enjoying nature, the water and meanwhile take some nice photos to remember that experience.

But, if you don't want to wake up so early while on holidays, a good idea would be late at night. The only disadvantage is that it will be dark and you won't have a real chance to enjoy the view or take nice photos. Still you can make it an unforgettable experience by going first to a beach party, meet some locals and after that all together go to the thermal waters. This is what I did and that's why unfortunately I have no photo to share with you.

In the morning or at night it doesn't matter, it will be amazing to float between the hot water and ocean water.

[drivingaphrodite]