Mykonos Arrival

After such a fancy dinner the previous night we slept in this morning. Today we were scheduled to travel to Mykonos via fast ferry. Ever the adventurers we decided to get out and see the remainder of Santorini. We drove our buggy 30 minutes to the far wind swept southern tip of the island to checkout a solitary lighthouse. As we neared the steadfast edifice the winds whipped up something fierce blowing painful sand at us. But standing next to the lighthouse on what felt like the edge of the world was worth it.  We then retreated to a highly recommended bakery that was established in the 1930s.  It was bursting with fresh delights that left us salivating for more. Satisfied we conquered the island we headed back for our rendezvous to catch the ferry. There was a traffic jam and irritatingly 500m from our hotel that lasted an anxiety invoking 50 minutes. Arriving just in time, we were transported to the ferry. 

Now when I say ferry, I am grossly misrepresenting this modern marvel of engineering. This vessel was a massive high speed catamaran. Nearly as large as an Alaskan ferry but with the speed of a cigarette boat. The chaotic process of boarding where the ship barely touched down at the dock when cars and passengers alike were ejected from the vessels under the shouts and signals of an impatient crew. Even before the disembarking completed the nearly 1000 awaiting passengers were screamed at to board. It was an effective chaos. We exchanged the entire cargo of the ship in less than 10 minutes. Then we sprinted across the sea towards our next destination. 

Mykonos was a cute port. The island is mostly the small city and then loads of pristine beaches, most of which are closed this early in the season.   The wind here was also impressive as it whistled through the narrow streets between the white stone houses. We decided to grab a drink at a seaside bar to watch the sunset before dinner. The drinks were delicious though there were occasional splashes of seawater from the waves crashing into the base of the bar.  Despite the protective screens the forceful water would sometimes splash up and over showering patrons as we drank and watched the sunset. It was invigorating. 

We had a great dinner. Below was my review.. 

Kalita in Mykonos was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece, delivering the best dining experience of not only our trip but of the entire year. Tucked away in a quaint courtyard, the ambiance was charming and inviting, setting the stage for an evening of culinary delights.

Our dining experience was elevated to perfection by the impeccable service of our outstanding waiter, Andreas, whose attentiveness and knowledge added an extra layer of enjoyment to our meal. From the moment we were seated, we felt like honored guests, attended to with genuine warmth and professionalism.

The food at Kalita was simply superb, each dish a work of artistry and innovation. We began our gastronomic journey with expertly crafted cocktails, the “Father’s Hug” cocktail being a personal favorite, its flavors a harmonious blend of sophistication and refreshment.

For starters, the Green salad with Portobello mushrooms, goat cheese, figs, pine nuts, and truffle oil was a revelation of flavors and textures, a testament to the chef’s culinary prowess. The Creative mini moussaka with feta mousse & tomato powder was a delightful twist on a Greek classic, bursting with rich flavors and playful presentation. 

Our main course, Homemade gnocchi with cheese cream from Syros island and fresh Greek black truffles, was a symphony of indulgence, each bite a heavenly combination of creamy texture and earthy truffle aroma.

To end our meal on a sweet note, the Lemon tart with carob flour biscuit was a perfect finale, its tangy citrus flavors balanced by the subtle sweetness of the carob flour biscuit. 

Overall, our dining experience at Kalita was nothing short of exceptional, a culinary journey that tantalized the taste buds and left us craving more. From the ambiance to the service to the exquisite food, every aspect of our evening was a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to excellence. Kalita truly deserves its place as the highlight of our dining adventures in Mykonos.

Dreamy Santorini

Our adventure in Santorini was a kaleidoscope of experiences, where every moment was painted in hues of blue skies and shimmering seas, slightly hampered by the island’s characteristic Aegean breeze. Armed with an ATV, we embarked on a sun-drenched adventure, traversing Santorini’s rugged terrain to uncover its hidden treasures. 

Our journey took us to the island’s famed beaches, each a contrasting color to the other. From the pristine white sands of Perissa to the volcanic shores of Kamari with its striking black sands, and the captivating crimson hues of Red Beach, we were awestruck at Santorini’s coastal landscapes, the wind whipping through our hair as we soaked in the sun’s warm embrace. 

Venturing inland, we found ourselves bewitched by the charm of Oía and Fira, two picturesque towns perched atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the vast expanse of the Aegean Sea.  The labyrinthine streets beckoned with their whitewashed buildings adorned with vibrant bougainvillea, offering glimpses of traditional Greek life at every turn. Fortunately it wasn’t the high season so there were not significant crowds.  

Our appetites whetted by the day’s adventures, we indulged in the island’s culinary delights, savoring juicy gyros at a bustling local spot and second lunching with a crispy perfection of fried feta at another quaint taverna.   

As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the island, we made our way to Fira for a birthday celebration fit for royalty.  At an upscale restaurant perched on the cliff’s edge, we toasted to Emily’s special day amidst the breathtaking backdrop of a Santorini sunset, the sky ablaze with hues of pink and orange, the wind carrying the scent of sea and celebration.     

We still have a little more time here than off to Mykonos. 

Last day in Turkey

Another amazing night of sleep was capstones by an early morning 4 mile run. These are my favorite as I was able to witness the seaside town slowly come alive. It was a sweaty run along an iconic coast dotted with ancient fortresses, early morning fisherman, and roaming packs of dog. 

Our final day in Turkey was an unforgettable journey guided by the remarkable Oz, whose passion for history and boundless energy lifted every moment with excitement and wonder. Our journey began at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, where Oz regaled us with tales of its grandeur and significance throughout the ages.  (Emily standing in front of what’s left of the temple of Artemis holding her own little Artemis). As we stood in awe before its majestic ruins, we marveled at the ingenuity of ancient civilizations and the enduring legacy of human endeavor. This would make our 5th of 7 world wonders!!

Next, we ventured to the serene sanctuary of the Virgin Mary’s last known house, a place of pilgrimage and reflection. This was made more pungent by an active mass there at the time, because it was Sunday. We even anointed ourselves with holy water from a continuous fountain that had been blessed by multiple popes! 

Our highlight awaited us at Ephesus, where Oz led us through the ancient streets and majestic ruins of this once-great city.  With his encyclopedic knowledge and captivating storytelling, he brought the past to life before our eyes, immersing us in the vibrant tapestry of Ephesian life. We even laid our eyes on an ancient hospital with the original caduceus symbol!  Another cool statue we came across the the goddess Nike, goddess of victory. You can even see the swoosh. Finally, we got to see original Greek toilets. It was ironic that you sat next to each other thus more of a social gathering with a fountain in the middle to cover the sounds. There is also a communal brush for cleaning. The women in our group, all clucked when our guide informed us that they were just for men and women had to go outside and fine a tree.. 

Among the many wonders we encountered was the Celsius Library, a testament to the intellectual and cultural richness of ancient Ephesus.   The grand 25,000 person Greek theater was jaw dropping. This grand structure was carved out of the mountainside and had been ideally positioned for the best view of the, now dried up, ocean. Ephesus was impressive all around.  As we wandered, Oz shared fascinating and fun tidbits of information, such as the symbolism of the snake on the caduceus, was because serpents are never ill and SPA actually stands for ‘salud por agua’ (health from water). HE reminded me of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding as the father could source ANY word to its Greek origins. 

As we bid farewell to Turkey, we carried with us not only memories of its awe-inspiring wonders but also the desire to return to go ballooning! Now, off to Greece!! 

Kusadasi or bust (2 days)

It was a bit of a rough night as we arrived in Izmir at 1:30am and had a bumpy hour drive to our hotel. Finally crashing at around 2:30am, it was unpleasant to hear the alarm so quickly at 7am. Grumbling, we started to get ready for our 8am pickup. However they arrived EARLY at 730am! We were still looking for clothes and had not eaten since setting out yesterday. Hangerly I contacted our travel company and they expertly rearranged our itinerary so that we had a relaxing day and our tour was moved two days later. This turned out to be very fortunate as it was a blisteringly hot day in the city that we got to spend pool/beach side.   Not much to report for the whole day except lounging and drinking and even swimming in the Aegean Sea. The weather was perfect! At night we ventured into town and wondered the bustling bazaar sampling local street foods and pistachio ice cream.  The venders jovially hawked their wears and enticed us at every corner to, “just have a look inside”.  We strolled hand in hand along to waterfront as a spectator sunset evolved.   We crashed early in order to catch up on our beauty sleep. 

We awoke this morning much more refreshed and ready to tackle the day. We were picked up by our tour guide and settled in for the 3 hour drive towards Pamukkale (Turkey’s top natural wonder). Our journey to Pamukkale was a mesmerizing adventure through history and natural wonder.  As we ascended the terraces of the Cotton Castle, the surreal landscape unfolded before us, inviting us to hike and wade in its crystalline waters.  Each step unveiled a new vista of pure white travertine cascading down the hillside, resembling a frozen waterfall.  The locals often referred to this mountain as ‘snowy mountain’ because it does resemble an oddly snowcapped hill in the middle of the desert. 

Our exploration led us to Cleopatra’s ancient pool, where we immersed ourselves in its legendary waters, soaking up the revered health benefits. The allure of the Ploutonion (Pluto’s gate) beckoned, a renovated statue of Hades sitting over a small pond of malevolently bubbling water as it gently flowed from an ancient cave.  This was known as the gateway to the underworld (the door to hell), after causing the death of many people in the ancient times due to toxic gases building up in the cave. 

Amidst the ancient ruins, we discovered another marvel: a vast Roman amphitheater. From its weathered stone seats, we marveled at the enduring legacy of civilizations that once thrived in this land. The landscape here was littered with ancient ruins.   

Sweaty and tired we boarded our transport and headed back to our hotel.