The Sisterhood of the Traveling... Minus the Pants (by Trisha)

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It’s my 17th day abroad and I am still in Greece for one more night. I stayed a bit longer than planned, but that was to be expected, wasn’t it? It’s hard to leave this heavenly place so I can’t say I won’t be back... Monty HAS to visit in this life after all...
As I sit here next to the hotel pool in Rhodes (the largest island in the Dodecanese), writing this blog on a paper place mat and thinking back on the last week, all I can do is smile. 😊 Smile not just because the week was spent in Greece or because of the three lovely new girlfriends I met, but also because my “Greek dream” has finally come true. Anyone who has dreamt of being in quaint little towns set atop huge cliffs with little white houses and bright colored doors.... pink and red flowers covering the rooftops and the bluest sea imaginable in every direction... or you’ve simply watched “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and wished that was you on that donkey instead of Lena... then you can understand what I am talking about! I found all of this and more in Santorini (the home of Oia, the actual location of the famous movie)... Ah, Santorini, what a magical place. If you have not been, do make a point to go there one day. Its at the very top of my travels as a favorite spot simply on account of its beauty alone... it is truly stunning and will have you jumping from the roof tops with excitement just being there... even in 100+ degree temps, hence why there were no pants in sight.
But wait, I am getting a little ahead of myself, aren’t I? The last I blogged, I was in Paros for one last night. And, what a night it was! I was invited to the opening celebration of the Paros Kite Pro Center’s new surf shop in Antiparos. Buffet, open bar, music and all of my new friends from the kite center. It was a super fun night of mingling, dancing and the Russian chicken (if you don’t know the Russian chicken, its ok... you shouldn’t... I only threw it in to remind myself later and have a good laugh). In the wee hours, it was time to catch a zodiac back after we missed our ferry by a couple of hours... the good byes were tough and I actually strongly considered staying longer or coming back after a little island hopping. A tough decision its been, but there are so many places to see in such limited time. Paros visit #2 will have to wait until next time around.
From Paros I was off to Naxos with a slight headache and not enough sleep. Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, a recommendation from my friend and fellow world traveler, Erin (a total sweetheart who is so awesome to my blog often and always keeps in touch!). It’s also said to be a popular kite spot, so why not check it out?! I settled into my own place, took a much needed nap and set off to explore. It was apparent right away that Naxos was much bigger and busier than the chilled-out Paros. It also seemed much more local than touristy, which was intriguing. After a yummy veggie wrap and a little window shopping, I found myself at a super cool outdoor theatre, eating popcorn and watching Sex and the City II with loads of other females speaking an array of different languages. It was perfect!
The next day, I did my usual thing... rented a scooter and zoomed off to explore the island. Like many of the Greek Islands I am learning, Naxos was a mix of desert meets cliffs meets beaches, but on a larger scale. Being in a heat wave that had me literally melting, there wasn’t any wind, but I still hit the kite beach at Mikri Vigla to check it out. It looked like a cool spot, but lacking the most important factor, it was pretty quiet... just a few European beach goers and their famous umbrellas. That was most of my experience with Naxos... while a lovely place with a vibrant night life and shopping district, without wind in the near forecast, I had seen enough for now and was off to Santorini after just two nights.
Ah, Santorini... there it is again! Well, I’ve already gushed about its beauty, but haven’t said much about what I did there. Lets see, I arrived in the afternoon in 100 degree temps (bloody HOT!) and hit the pool as quickly as possible. Right away, I knew I was in the right place. The Holiday Beach Hotel in Perissa was filled with other young travelers, some solo and some grouped up. Sometimes, I honestly avoid this scene, depending on the place and whether those young travelers are closer to 19 or 29, but the three lovely girls to my left who were laughing and talking amongst themselves with wine in hand, seemed like my kind of trio. Just then, Sam from the bar circled the pool giving out free drink coupons and inviting everyone to watch the World Cup at a spot down the street and just like that, the night’s plans were set. I was off to the Young Bar (yes, it was really called that and it sorta did make me feel younger) where I made a few new friends in the lovely fun girls from my left. Rubina from Vancouver B.C. (not far from home!) and Media & Lena from Brisbane, Australia. They were my Santorini sisters for the next couple of days (& Media & Lena are really sisters!).... the many pictures really tell a good story (they took as many or more than me! I know, I didn’t think it was possible either, but its true!) but in summary, we rented scooters/quads, visited Fira and the amazing Oia and ate dinner on the Caldera while watching the sunset. It was a very HOT and very enjoyable day that ended with us back at the Young Bar... this time learning Greek dances from the local owner and just as in Greek tradition, breaking plates as we danced around them. There are some pix, but just imagine 12 or so people arm in arm dancing in a circle, kicking our legs and crossing our feet as broken white porcelain crunched under our sandals... oh what fun! ... Opa!!
After 3 nights in sensational Santorini, I set off for Rhodes via 3 ferries that had me back to Naxos and Paros and finally on a Hellenic Seaways overnight crossing for 11 hours (The ferry was so luxurious, if James Bond was on a ferry, this would be the one). In Naxos, I had to pick up my kite gear that my previous hotel had stored. They stored my gear and met me at the ferry terminal with it for free! He wouldn’t even take a tip... I tell you, the Greek hospitality is wonderful! It has been so easy to travel here...
Being that this blog has not-so-surprisingly turned into a thick lonely planet, I will make Rhodes fast and let the pictures speak for themselves. Rhodes is deeeeeeep in southern Greece and not much like the other islands I’ve visited. Rhodes Old Town is a World Heritage Sight, housing the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe. With a large wall surrounding numerous shops and restaurants and castle like structures everywhere, you can almost feel the spirits of the kings, knights and princesses who must’ve lived here... and speaking of princesses, I felt just like a princess yesterday... a wind princess that is! After arriving on the ferry, I checked the wind, spontaneously rented a car and drove 90 km to Prasonisi, a kite beach on the southern tip of Rhodes Island. As I pulled around the last bend on my 2 hour drive, it was a kiters dream... tons of kites in all directions and strong wind! I had two good sessions with an abundance of kiters and wind surfers. I decided I wanted to see even more of the kiting in Rhodes and there was a few too many people on the water for another session, so I drove for an hour back up north and crossed the island to the west side as the sun was setting. I made it to Kremasti just in time for a delightful sunset session with a few guys from the local kite school. Was this really happening?! 3 sessions in one day about 60 km apart and one while the sun was setting with Turkey in the background! I had to laugh though as I pulled up to the 2nd spot, ran out to the beach in my bikini as a few kiters from the school looked in wonder, what is this girl doing? Hello, one of them says. I quickly say hi and sprint past them to get my gear. I come back board & kite in hand.... and with smiles, they looked surprised and said, “oh, hello, do you know how to kite?” “No,” I said, “I was hoping you’d teach me real quick” as I pumped up my kite as fast as I could. The day was a total surprise I feel so lucky for. Especially since Rhodes just came into the plan a couple of days ago when I decided to go to Turkey... oh, did I mention that?! I am off to Turkey tomorrow... oh the joys for flexible traveling! Efxaristo for an amazing time Greece! S’ Agapo!

(Having trouble with the pix... so most don't have captions right now, sorry! 😊

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Comments

[Monty]

Amazing!
This is looking like the place to be. Wow. I'm renting sisterhood of the traveling pants tonight. Love the scooter! Killing it! -from the cubicle