When Paradise Has Hard Roads

On Greek Islands, Perfect Sea and Travelling Solo on a Holiday Made for Two

Catriona Knapman

Jul 12, 2026

Island images - close up of pebbles with sea in the distance and yellow flowers.

From: The Greek Islands, 2024

To:

Dear friends,

I had come from working in Dubai, with its straight-lined constructions, urgent phone checking and stress.

This tiny island made a lot of space for life. Only a few rough footpaths and roads to explore. I had thought quiet would be the antidote I needed, but instead the island felt empty.

I felt stupid sitting by myself at the one cafe still open. I ate quickly and left. I have done a lot of solo travel where I felt adventurous and brave. I have joyously eaten alone. But in this paradise, I felt ridiculous.

The next day, I went for a run, I ran fast until I was red and glistening, up the hill, down the hill, stopping at the top to look at the view. Then I ripped off my clothes, as everyone on the beaches was unashamedly naked, and jumped into the sea - sweaty and shiny.

I was mastering the art of doing nothing. But I wasn’t really doing nothing. I was filling a day which felt threatening in its expanse.

Yet, with each run, each dip in the water, I started to wrap myself up with the sea, the trees and the shore’s ways. I stopped trying to shrink myself because I was in paradise alone.

I let myself be both sad and wading into the most beautiful sea I have ever seen.

I let the cool water shock me. I stepped out, my skin astonished.

I walked barefoot up the rough path from the shore, thousands of tiny pebbles niggling into the soles of my bare feet.

The ground underneath me, talking. Not everything in life is smooth. Not every moment can be rushed over or pushed aside. Sometimes pebbles slow us down.

Harshness needs unpicking. And sometimes life just needs witnessing.

So I let the pebbles dig in.

What else did I have to do?

Till next time, friend.

Catriona

Prompt