Yassou, Parakalo, Efcharisto. 🇬🇷
Hello. Please. Thank you.
Yassou.
It’s always so good to come back to Greece, but Simon did get it right when he said
“There’s nothing like a little time in the Athens airport to make you feel like you’re wrong.”
Not about returning to Greece, no no. But generally wrong about everything you think or ask; directions, which gate, what time, where your bags might have ended up.
I get it - a LOT of people pass through this chaotic airport, and not too many of the ones from away speak Greek. I’d be a little cranky too if I had to answer all of their questions all day every day in every language under the sun.
Arriving on the island of Skiathos, we immediately run into an old friend, Eirini from Istion yachts. Hugs. It’s so good to have family here. Then, a meet up with new family - our crew, Skipper Joao and Chef Henry. Joao is from Portugal and spends his summers sailing Greek waters. Henry comes to us from both the Faroe Islands where he was born, and Malta where he lives much of the year. These two have spent time at sea together already and after months of whatsapp chatting with us and a quick dinner of Greek mezzes seem to understand us and this crazy thing we do. They both hit the ground running with us on Saturday and boom, we have a trip.
We moved tons of stuff on to this yacht and once it was all set up, I set about nesting into my home for the next two weeks. This includes some photos taped to the wall beside my bed. These are of Richie and Lisa who built this trip with us from the ground up. Nutters, we are eating all the cheese for you and doing all the things with you in our hearts.
Parakalo.
HoooooBoy I love this place.
After the hot and busy Saturday of provisioning and boat prep, WOW did it feel good to get off the dock and out to sea. Joao smoothly motor-sailed us to Limnonari Bay on Skopelos where we anchored for the night.
We have three adventurous guests this week - all SV alums who amazingly and in spite of having traveled with us over 6 times each, have never met. Kendra, Myssie and Kyle. Despite being strangers to one another, having so much experience with us made them fast friends, and by the time we jumped in, it felt like we'd been doing this together forever.
That first jump in. There’s nothing like it.
The water, so clear, warm, but also sneaky cold as we pass invisible vents in the distinctly Greek cliffs. It was just a hello swim, but we easily covered a mile (ok Kyle and Simon did nearly 3!). The little schools of silver sides danced around us, the flounders skimmed beneath us, each camouflaged in their own way, yet generous enough to let us see them.
Henry filled our bellies with his mother’s homemade meatball recipe and some sides of mushrooms and delicious rice and beans. Dessert was waffles with whipped cream and poached pear - both fun and fancy.
Efcharisto.
The sun started to set and the light got soft and pink. There are beanbag chairs on our bow. There’s a classic Greek fishing boat between us and the umbrella strewn beach. It’s all very welcoming.
We are not wrong.
Kali Nikta from Greece, where we will explore every cave and cranny this coastline has to offer.
Love,
Heather
Thank you, Myssie, for getting this great pic of Simon & Kyle chilling on the bow tonight!