Thursday what's new, waterfall.

Another long, great day, and so again, I let the pics to most of the talking. But a few things definitely worth reporting.

First, sometimes the ocean, the wind, a place, has other plans for us. No matter what swim we wish we could do, it’s usually best to commit to what the weather wants us to do instead. This morning, Joao moved us over coffee so we could we hide from the wind on the southeastern point of Alonnisos - a bay we have never been to.

We jumped in to remarkably clear water, skimmed along turtle grass beds, rounded a complex rocky corner and found….a waterfall. We were giddy with it. We played in it and oohed and ahhed. This is a SwimVacation first. Thank you, Greece, for always producing a show stopper.

We continued around this spectacular bay, with huge striated cliffs and rock formations to swim through like a playground.

Out in the middle of nothing, a small rock island. We swam to it and found an underwater arch. Without hesitation, Simon, Kyle, Kendra and I swam through it. A little tricky at the exit, but fun and satisfying. I could tell we were all thinking the same thing: Myssie CAN and SHOULD do this. A little coaching from each of us, we each took a helpful position, she rehearsed once and through the arch she went. We all celebrated. It’s a real thing, doing something new and challenging like that, and she did it. Easy peasy.

Love these three images that Simon made today! Nice job, Swigs!

Back to the boat. We set sail for Skopelos and arrived in time for a fantastic lunch at anchor in Stafylos Bay. Fuel up kids, we have a big cool swim planned for the afternoon.

In the full belly category, Henry has been stuffing us. Lunch was Greek pies and Super Salad (garlic infused beets and couscous and feta, dinner was Pasta Carbonara and dessert was “Rolly Pollies” with fresh whipped cream and banana. Good thing we are swimming so much!

This is an A to B swim along the southern coast of Skopelos we have done before, only today we went B to A. Joao followed us all the way. It starts with a cave, we explored and slipped through a narrow crack. Fun.

At one point we ducked into a cut that we found last year - deep in the corner is a deep tunnel with light at the end of it. We examined it closely last year but did not feel confident enough about what was on the other side to do it. Simon and I have discussed it all year. Today was the day. And it was SO. COOL. 

On the other side was an open air pool surrounded by high walls on all side. I mean. How many people come into a place like this? Probably very few, if anyone. You’d need a boat, skill, exploration, confidence and experience. We did it and what a payoff.

A note about safety. Any of us that attempt these things take it very seriously and never ever go if we don’t feel up to it. We rehearse. We do several test dives. Another safety note: guides carry radios in our buoys, and there's one on the boat. At one point after not seeing us for a while, Joao radioed. I was able to quickly assure him we were fine. Very comforting.

We continued on through varying underwater terrain, just spectacular. Near the end, a cave with more amazing light rays. The finally, a deep cut in the cliff, an eden within. We chilled in awe for a bit, then made for the boat. More than a mile in all, we’d earned an amazing dinner and more. Lucky us, Henry delivered.

Tonight is our last night at sea, as tomorrow night we will be on the dock. And so, Kyle Kendra and I made one more skinny night dip with three laps around the boat. The stars were thick - the galactic core in plain view. The bioluminescence was off the charts - Myssie came to see from the deck. Sparkling from below to above. Efcharisto, Greece, for the waterfall and the secret amazing room and the sparkle. Always the sparkle.

One more full day ahead. 

Falling asleep with earned smiles and fully bellies. Not bad.

Kali nikta,

Heather

Here’s a little video recap of our very full day.