52 eyelands - introduction

INTRODUCTION
This is a “sentimental” guide for travellers, through 52 of the Greek islands.
The term "sentimental guide" implies something more than a commonplace guide and I assure you that my book is not written in the style of a classic guidebook. There is already a plethora of classic guidebooks; the internet is rife with a lot of useful – yet even more useless – information. This book has simply been written out of an outrageous love for the islands, to describe of what it feels like to actually “live the island” – even for a week – and to find out what it’s like, from how it looks to how it can be characterized in terms of its deeper essence. I liken this process to getting to know a friend, or perhaps even falling in love.

For me, the islands have always been places where existence became meaningful. Each one of them bestowed a small gift and a confirmation that there is a simple way to be happy: by exploring another island or revisiting one that you’ve already been to after some time has passed. 
Travelling around means you need resources like time and money. But isn’t this also the way when it comes to creating friendships? It takes time to get to know someone, and furthermore, you need to be in the mood for this, to love him/her and enjoy his/her company. This is what happened in my relationship with the islands.  

Of course, nothing compares to the feeling of getting to know a new island, when you first see the lights in the middle of the night as the ship approaches the port. Then there’s the wonderful feeling of seeing an island, just like with your dearest old friends. That’s because every island is a unique creature, and all the islands are somehow just one island – this is what I’ve felt, even from the beginning. The same applies to humans.


52 eyelands    -  INSIDE THE BOOK                
A sentimental journey through the Greek islands
                 

www.strangedaysbooks.gr
www.paraxenesmeres.gr

Publishing advisor: Costis Malousaris
Foreign books: Giannis Petrakis

Text and all photos of the book: Gregory Papadoyiannis
www.eyelands.gr
info@eyelands.gr

Editor: Christina Markanastasakis
Translators: Georgia Alexiou
             Danae Roussou      

First edition: summer 2013
Cover photo: Schinoussa
Back cover: Tilos

strangedaysbooks,
somewhere in the world
ISBN-13: 978-1480138810 (CreateSpace-Assigned)
Copyright: Strange days books & Gregory Papadoyiannis