Paradise… Just another word for vacation.
It is a cool (as in great, not cold) weather right now. It looks like it’s going to rain. Or not. Here, on the beach. Because it’s September and I’m a pleasure delayer. Not on purpose. I wanted turquoise waters and boat rides, he wanted a nice hotel. This is how we ended up in Skiathos and the timing couldn’t be any better. We’re in for the hot days, on beautiful beaches, and for the thrill of watching (and being under) the most beautiful thunderstorms. As we speak, actually. It rains, after all. I wish there could be a way to attach the fresh air to this. You can close your eyes, though, inhale and imagine. The beach, the sea, the sand, the sunbeds, the relaxed people, the sound of the waves and… the rain! Just when your skin starts to burn… Tadaa!
The sun is back. Yet again. I don’t know if it’s always like this or just now, in September. We’ve been here for almost a week and every day is like a surprise. You don’t know what to expect. But that’s the fun of it. As it is in life. You might want to be open for the surprises and enjoy the ride. Because this is all we have. And the view, after it all, is just… Magic.
Greece has a lot of islands, with estimates ranging from somewhere around 1200 to almost 6000 (inhabited between 166 and 227). Skiathos is a small island (12km long, 6 km wide in average) in the North West Aegean Sea and West to the island of Skopelos (where Mama Mia was shot, remember those beaches, this is what I was after). Among the European destinations, Greece seems to be the perfect one for untouched-by-human beaches. And the turquoise waters. And the boat rentals without any skippers. It’s just you, the sea and the sun. It’s paradise! Told you.
Forget about the clothes, the heals, the hair and make-up, the Internet, the worries! It’s just you, the bathing suit, a good book, maybe your favourite tunes and your dreams.
And the good food. The day, beautifully, starts with the hotel breakfast. I love it and I know I always say this. I cannot help it. This is how much I love it. The view, over breakfast, is all you need to see every morning and the staff is smiling. And you smile…
At night, it’s all about the tavernas and the rides to them. It’s the time to get a glimpse of Skiathos town and its surroundings. The place we visited twice already is Marmita (our favourite so far). Ranked the 3rd in Skiathos town, it has a beautiful vibe, fun owners and good sea food tagliatelle. The 1st ranked in Skiathos town is Kookonaris and its view over the port, at night, is marvellous. And so is the desert. From my Greek experience, the host is a big part in tavernas. So is in the 1st ranked in Skiathos island restaurant, called Anastasia’s. The owner is as delightful as the food. And the wine. Retsina is the traditional Greek wine.
The rain stopped. Off to my sunbed. And dreams.
PS: my dream is to have a house on the beach, someday… With flowing, off white, silk curtains. And love.