As promised finally the blogs about Greece! Its been a while coming but am gradually catching up.

The first in the series is from our visit to Corfu in 2023. (How time flies!)

How a Low Car Battery Led Us to the Art of “Niksen” in Corfu

Every summer while staying in Macedonia, we head down to the Greek coast for a week or two to cool off by the sea. This year, we decided to shake things up: we would drive through Greece and take the coastal road up into Albania.

At least, that was the plan.

The Detour: From Biblical History to Key Fob Drama

We set off one evening and made our first stop in Veria to spend the night. In the morning, we visited the Saint Paul shrine—a historic site dedicated to the apostle who preached here several times, as recorded in the Bible.

After soaking in the history, we hit the quiet, almost deserted motorways heading toward Albania. We hadn’t booked anything in advance, and to be honest, we were a bit dubious. We’d heard that the Albanian coast had a loud, non-stop party vibe day and night. Still, the scenic route made it tempting.

Then, the car had other plans.

A warning sign flashed on the dashboard: “Remote Key Battery Low.”

Assuming there was a physical manual key inside the fob, I didn’t panic at first—until I realized there wasn’t one. The thought of being stranded on a remote border road with a dead key fob quickly changed our priorities. We decided to pull into the next harbour town to grab some lunch and find a garage.

Spontaneous Decisions

We rolled into a bustling port town right at the peak of lunch hour. The outdoor terraces were packed, and the air was thick with the mouth-watering scent of fresh Greek pastries being baked on-site.

We couldn’t resist. We ordered freshly made, warm, cheese-filled pastries that were cooked right in front of us. Absolutely delicious.

With our stomachs full, we found a local garage, swapped out the key battery, and took a stroll down to the water. Curious about where the ferries docked at the pier were heading, we asked around.

The answer? Corfu.

Just like that, Albania was forgotten. We bought two tickets, drove onto the ferry, and within an hour, we were pulling into Corfu harbour.

Falling for Corfu

Our very first view of Corfu was impressive .

While on the ferry, we managed to book a spot on the east coast. We drove up to a charming resort filled with traditional white houses, vibrant blue roofs, and lush climbing flowers.

Our first stop? A tiny, humble-looking restaurant right on the beach. It looked completely casual and unpretentious, but the freshly caught fish tasted wonderful.

Underwater Wonders at Nisaki Beach

The next morning, we grabbed our snorkels and headed to Nisaki Beach, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and rich marine life.

We aren’t early birds by any means, so we arrived around 10:30 AM to find the beach still blissfully peaceful. We claimed two sunbeds under the cool shade of the trees and headed straight into the sea.

It was as magical as promised. Schools of fish in vibrant colors and all sizes darted in and out of the underwater rocks and coves. Sure, it wasn’t the Great Barrier Reef (where we’ve snorkeled and dived in years past), but for a Mediterranean spot, it was pretty good!

Mastering the Art of “Niksen”

By the time we returned to our chairs, a few more people had arrived, though the real crowds didn’t trickle in until after noon. Thanks to our secluded spot under the trees, we were completely undisturbed.

And that’s when it happened.

I didn’t listen to music.

I didn’t read a book.

I didn’t scroll on my phone.

I just sat and did nothing. For 4 full hours.

In the Netherlands, there is a word for this: Niksen—the art of doing nothing. It’s the practice of simply letting your thoughts flow in and out without holding onto them or trying to be productive.

Looking back, I reckon I earned a gold medal in Niksen that afternoon.

When I returned to Holland and told my friends about those four hours of sitting on a beach doing absolutely nothing, they looked at me with total astonishment:

“4 hours? Doing nothing at all? Just sitting there?”

I could almost taste the judgment—what a waste of time!

Only one friend—who retired early and openly admits to having perfected the craft—viewed me as a comrade in arms.

As life gets busier and more connected, I look back at that spontaneous detour to Corfu with a smile. I really wonder… will I ever be able to master the art of Niksen like that again?

We did explore Corfu and drove along the coast, taking the winding road up to Paleokastritsa Monastery. Perched high on a cliff above two clear bays, this 13th-century monastery offers some of the best views on the island. It’s quiet, surrounded by olive trees and bright flowers, and has a small courtyard museum that feels worlds away from the busy beaches below.

Mouse Island (Pontikonisi): Corfu’s Classic Landmark

Just off the coast near Corfu Town lies Mouse Island, or Pontikonisi. According to local myth, this tiny green rock was actually the ship of Odysseus, turned to stone by Poseidon. In the center sits a tiny 11th-century chapel surrounded by cypress trees. You can grab a quick boat trip over to explore it, or simply watch the plane landings from the bridge nearby with the island right in the background.

We did go into the city center and had a wander around, the only thing we forgot to take with us was umbrella’s as we encountered a massive storm with literally everyone trying to find shelter.

All in all we really enjoyed Corfu and would certainly consider visiting again for a short trip.