Sunday, reset, go!

After a teary goodbye to our 4 Greek Goddesses from last week, our crew day Saturday was productive and efficient. Laundry, re-provisioning, a few repairs, more lugging of supplies, and by 3pm the boat was decently ready to go. We all had a laydown and then hit the town for a lovely hill top dinner. We do like to be able to treat our crew to a nice meal in between charters. We also had some laughs along the way, and of course, cats.

And now our second week has begun! Three alums, Kevin & Jane, and Tara, came ready for action. New SVer Shane had walked from the airport after pulling an all-nighter on flights with no sleep. She was a little tired on arrival, but so far she’s fitting right in with us and what we do.

We’ve got a little more wind in the forecast this week, so we hoisted the sails and made for our first stop, Tsougkriaki Island. Jemima and Simon got in on the sailing maneuvers and we were there in a flash. 

Lunch! Jemima (who managed to use an entire giant can of olive oil last week) kicked right back into galley gear and put out an incredible spread of Mediterranean delights for us. We chatted, got acquainted and re-acquainted and talked about our boat home and hopes and dreams for the incredible week of swimming to come.

Splash time and these four took right to it. Tara led the charge but really no one dawdled. Exhausted as she is, Shane took right to the water. There’s nothing a swim can’t fix. We swam a quarter mile to a tunnel I had never been through. We all went through one direction, then the other direction. Because why not? That seemed a great kick off to the week of aqua-spelunking to come. Back to the boat where we bobbed on buoys and chatted and basically just settled into where we are and what the islands have to offer.

Jason yanked the hook and we had a nice long sail to Limnonari Bay on Skopelos. Appetizers and cocktails appeared. Our guests enjoyed these on the bow which was the exact perfect temperature for enjoying life and happy hour.

As we were underway, Jemima spotted something off our port side. “Look! There’s stuff in the sea!” she squealed. Hoping it might be dolphins, we all ran to the lifelines and gawked. The sea was a little bumpy and as our guests are just getting their sea legs, Simon politely offered a hand to boat newbie Shane. When I turned around a few minutes later, they were still searching the horizon and holding hands. It was so sweet and we laughed about it when they realized. Instant family here on SwimVacation!

We are rocking gently in Limnonari Bay tonight, Jemima is cooking up something that smells delicious and the sky has gone to soft pinks over the lilac mountains in the distance. I miss our ladies from last week, and am equally excited to show Kevin, Jane, Tara and Shane what it’s like to swim and play in some of the clearest waters and coolest caves in the world. Seeing it through others’ eyes teaches me something new each and every time.

Kali Nikta,

Heather