Skyros, Greece

Some days we can escape the bustling, busy traveling, and visit a nice, quiet, town like Skyros. Oh, yes, it has a great history, etc... but you can find that in the books or with the guide. You can learn about the famous Skyran horses also, and how the Venetians modified the town. But to slowly walk and absorb this lovely town is priceless.

Images remain: the narrow streets, whitewashed houses and the flower pots at the windows, the older man walking by in his black pantaloons and leather strap shoes, two ladies talking in Greek about what they would make for lunch today. A small museum let us see what life was like here years ago, simple and frugal. A longer walk took us up to an old fort; here we focused carefully just for that shot. And we had at our fingertips a good series of small shops with local handicraft made out of wood, porcelain and cloth!

The morning passed slowly by and we eventually made it back to our ship, though some of us preferred to have lunch in town. After our midday repast we occupied a small beach to ourselves, with rougher sand and the clear waters of the Aegean Sea. What else could one wish for if not a clear, wonderful day in the Mediterranean?