Genuinely don’t know what I was thinking in this photo but looks like I’m about to take on the world. •• Hydra (pictured behind me) played a hugely important role in the Greek War of Independence, a revolution started in 1821 to gain freedom from the Ottoman Empire after an almost 400-year rule. •• In addition to the fact that the island, home to plenty of sailors and wealthy ship owners, lent 150 ships and countless sailors to the Greek cause, major figures in the War of Independence including Miaoulis and Bouboulina either lived here or were from here. •• “Bouboulina” was the nickname of one of the most famous women in Greek history. From Hydra but born in a prison in then Constantinople, while her mother was visiting her imprisoned revolutionary father, she ended up a rich widowed woman made richer by wise investments. •• With her wealth, lifelong love of the sea, and a revolutionary spirit, she built up a fleet of ships, paid sailors and soldiers out of her own fortune, and led them as an admiral in the sieges of Nafplio, Monemvasia, and blockade of Pylos. She was respected by other Greek admirals and part of all major strategic plans and decisions. •• More on the history of Hydra on my next photo! I love learning stories of strong women from the past, don’t you? . . . . #hydra #Υδρα