Kythera is a Greek island that holds a special place in the hearts of the Greek diaspora in Australia, with 80,000 Australians proudly claiming Kytherian ancestry.
In June, I was privileged to explore the island with a friend who enjoys its beauty and discovering traces of her Kytherian forebears. She also helped me to find several houses and churches of great significance to my sister-in-law and her family.
With Greece in the grip of a deadly heatwave, we also kept cool. Morning yoga in the shade of an old pine tree, gathering fresh drinking water from natural springs, afternoon siestas, and swimming in pristine water in places like Avlemonas (pictured) all helped us to chill.
You can read more about Kythera in Susan Johnson’s 2023 memoir Aphrodite’s Breath.
