We Love Visitors

There is no doubt that an isolated anchorage has its merits, but there is also something special about the sleeping crowd of sailboats in Paros this morning. 

A Meltemi is forecast for tomorrow and they’ve come to find the calm before the storm.  It’s fun to be here with sailing friends.  I’m still amazed when we are able to meet up with people that we met across oceans months ago, as well as friends and relatives who have traveled by plane.  Last week It felt like our crew dropped out of the sunset-streaked sky.

Michael and I knew we were in for some weather before my Aunties and Uncle arrived, so we planned accordingly.  We picked them up in Mykonos and whisked them away to Delos, just in time to see the wildflowers bloom.

Then we set sail for Syros.  After a traditional lunch on Gerty (hummus, tzatziki, Greek salad,) we told them the news – May 18th, the day they arrived, was our 25th wedding anniversary, we were renewing our vows, and they were officiating the ceremony.  With champagne and relatives to share our special day, it was perfect.

A celebratory dinner in the old town sealed the deal for another fifty years, at least.

The next day we walked down 900 steps to meet Mario in Ano Syros, and he was worth the descent.  Our long conversation with him helped us postpone decision time. 

As predicted, skies were clear, the wind was climbing to 35 knots, the waves were increasing in magnitude, and a ferry was the responsible way to go. We gave them a choice – sail back to Mykonos with us or stay dry.  Can you guess what they did?

We would miss Rita, Richard and Barbara as crew too much if we weren’t raising the sails again with our course set to pick up the Endriss family.  The last thing we expected was for the wind to accelerate as we entered the Santorini caldera, but it did.  The genni filled, Gerty perked up, and we watched the legendary cliffs go by.

The antidote to a little too much time on the water is hiking, and twelve miles did the trick – from Parissa to Fira by foot, over the highest peak, down to the old port, to our final resting place – The Endriss’ cave hotel room.  Again, the meet-up was worth every single step!

We made a plan to pick them up in Akrotiri, take them to Folengandros, and head back to Santorini the following day.  Other than having to provision in 6 minutes because we forgot that the grocery store closed at 9, there were no problems whatsoever. Spencer and Elena are killer card players,  Amy is missing the part of her brain that thinks about how cold the water is before she jumps in, Rich is an expert paddleboarder, and the whole family likes chocolate chip cookies. 

We made it to the quaint chora on Folengandros and since there is only one taxi on the entire island, Michael and I walked home from dinner under a zillion stars.

We had to motor back to Santorini in 0 knots, because we couldn’t risk missing Top Gun Maverick in English with Greek subtitles at the outdoor movie theater there.  You know how it is – priorities!

It’s true that old friends and family are impossible to top, but this crowded harbor has me smiling at the possibilities.  I can’t help but wonder who we’ll meet next!

Last remarks

• Thank you to Rita, Richard, and Barbara for making the trip!  We loved having you!
• Thanks to the Endriss’s for making us part of your family vacation!