Captain Jack Sparrow

My first full day on Paradise Island - as I'm calling it - was unbelievable. I woke up without expectation for my day, a rather good way to begin one I think. And as I was walking towards the sea-side cafe/restaurant/hang-out area, Rosy stopped me and asked if I was interested in a boat trip around the island. How could I turn that down? After a brief Greek breakfast, I joined a New Zealander and a Brit on this classic, old Greek fishing boat and Captain Jack Sparrow set sail. Our captain and guide for the day was Robert, an expat from the UK who decided to trade the crowded underground tube for the open seas 20-some years ago. He's tanned and leathery, with a gray ponytail, earrings and tattoos - perfectly playing the part of wayward free-spirit.

Our adventure lasted all day. We spent 7 hours out on the water, traveling at a leisurely 5 knots, around the beautiful island. We walked down the few minutes into "town" to Skala to the sandy beach to board the boat and then set sail, passed our place, Rosy's Village, and then passed the nude beach and got an eyeful. We found the most beautiful and undisturbed cove and set anchor - swimming in the pristine waters. The water was clear and varying shades of aqua and deeper blue. After our hearts were content in the water, we rode further around to another cove with a taverna on the coast and had an amazing lunch of greek salad, tzatziki, bread, and stuffed vine leaves. We sailed and swam and sunned and smiled - it was so blissful.

Upon arrival back at shore, we walked through the small town and found the local market. Everything is so quaint, you feel like pinching someone's cheek. I found myself again, at the cliff's edges for dinner. Rosy's little restaurant sits at the edge with the waves crashing below, and serves some of the best food on the island - fresh and organic. Zucchini pie for dinner and white wine. Lovely. I imagine I will sleep well tonight, save for the fact that I'm still swaying a bit from my day on the boat!

Tomorrow holds more excitement and new adventure, as a friend from England is coming to spend a long weekend here with me on Paradise Island - can't wait to have someone see this in person!

Enjoy the pictures of the day -