W is For Water

We ticked a HUGE item off our travel bucket list this summer with a week-long visit to the Greek Islands. Since Greg and I met, we’ve shared our “pre-Judy-and-Greg” travel stories. A favorite of his was the time he spent in Greece more than 20 years ago. He’d describe the food, the views, and the white-washed buildings with bright blue domes on Santorini. I’d get that wistful look in my eye and, inevitably, his tale ended with a promise: “I’ll take you there.” This year it finally happened!

It started late last fall when we learned of a private yacht cruise a friend was putting together. The yacht, the Harmony G, would pop from island to island for seven days, stopping in well-known spots like Santorini and Mykonos and lesser-known spots like Poliegos and Antiparos. 

It was a no-brainer. We paid our deposit and started dreaming and planning. I reasoned that a week on a yacht on the Aegean Sea could definitely count as “W” since we would be on the water for a week. It was the stuff incredible memories are made of – despite a few stumbles.

Within a day, Captain Vasilis had learned of an incoming storm that was taking aim on the Cyclades Islands and would hit in a couple of days. He sat down with our organizers and they created a new itinerary.

Instead of spending the whole week in the more famous Cyclades group, we would spend the first half of the week there, then motor to the Peloponnese Islands. The waters would be calmer for the voyages. Our cruise took us from island to island wandering along the docks with the locals in spots where everyone seemed to be native but luckily spoke English. We marveled at the night views, popped into local shops to explore, and sipped seaside cocktails with fellow yachters.

We visited the classic scenes on Mykonos and Santorini. We marveled at the views, sipped exotic cocktails in beachside bars and strolled the alleys dotted with shops.

Staying ahead of the storm, the captain took us to the famous Blue Bay at Poliegos. We swam in the crystal clear waters, kayaked into a cave, and watched the island’s goats clinging to the cliffs as they nibbled the vegetation. The swimming coves featured the insanely clear, blue water the Greek Islands are so well-known for. 

In the safety of another hidden cove, we gaped at the green hills of Fokianos. The captain offered a choice to those interested in going to the beach: a quick Zodiak ride or a short swim. The nearly-abandoned beach cafe called to us, so we opted for the ride. We settled under one of the umbrella-shaded tables and ate a spectacular lunch. I chose the fresh grilled prawns, while Greg and our lunch companion went into the kitchen where they chose a local fish for the chef to cook up as we waited.

Our second to last day on the water started out a little earlier than planned as the captain warned the storm was stirring up the waters and he hoped to get ahead of the worst of it. We motored through 40 knot winds watching sailors struggling to keep their chartered craft upright and headed in the right direction. 

As we pulled into the port of Poros, smaller boats filled the crowded harbor and occupied every slip. Steering with care and blaring the horn, the crew expertly guided the Harmony G to our large, reserved slip. Nearly every one of the three dozen passengers on our cruise remained topside snapping pictures of the bustle of tourists and flotilla of watercraft.

We spent several hours ashore that day amid the crowds and souvenir shops. We found a spot to have traditional Greek gyros and ordered one each. We later learned the spot we chose was the captain’s favorite place in all the islands for the iconic Greek handheld sandwiches!

Back on board, we made our way to the marina on the island of Aegina. The adorable town would be our last stop before the short cruise back to Piraeus and the end of the epic Greek Odyssey. We picked up a couple of souvenirs, joined friends for a last meal together on shore and chatted at the unbelievable memories we’d created.

Ticking Greece off the bucket list as the W-is-for-Water adventure was worth every penny! As we packed for the trek home, we felt that common pang of sadness that accompanies the end of a marvelous vacation. We will bathe in the clear, blue memories we created on the shores of these islands for a while before planning what’s next.

There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. What are you waiting for?

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