After some 25 hours, three airports, and a one hour drive in the dark through narrow, winding mountain roads, we arrived at our destination, The Aphrodite Beach Hotel, in Vatera, Lesvos, Greece.  Although it was past midnight, George and Yiannis were still busy with the myriad tasks necessary to keep the hotel running. This year a beautiful pool was added to the property and early this morning, after a nice breakfast of Greek yogurt, local olives, just picked figs, fresh coffee and pastries, we went to the local grocery in Polichnitos to purchase a few essentials. The vegetables come from local farms, cheeses are cut to order and the bread shelves are stocked with a variety of hard toast such as rye husks, originally a staple of Crete. Really good, locally produced Ouzo is only 10 Euros, a lesser quality Ouzo in Seattle is about $30 so of course we had to purchase a bottle for taste testing.

Last year when we were here in April, the tourist season had not started so few hotels and restaurants were open, now the island is quite different with restaurants open late, many people out walking, sitting at cafes, outside enjoying the weather and friends. Our plan for the next few days here is just to enjoy the weather, sit around the pool and relax, no work! After all, we are retired!