Day three in Vatera, Lesvos at the Aphrodite Beach Hotel. Last year we were here for thirty days and since then the hotel has a new, beautiful pool; the weather is considerably warmer than in the Spring, and there is still much tourist activity even though the main vacation season has just passed. Yesterday we swam in the Mediterranean, the water was cool but very refreshing, lots of people still on the beaches and at 90 degrees it is easy to get a tan or sunburn if not careful.

We have been relaxing, trying to get over the jet lag which we have discovered is more difficult than when we were younger, today was our best day, more energy and not so tired. We took a short drive into Polichnitos to the ATM, refueled the car and then went in search of ancient ruins. Lesvos has a history of 3000 plus years of occupancy so there are old ruins throughout the island. Oh, by the way, for those wishing fuel was less expensive in the US, here the cost for a gallon of unleaded is about $10.83.

It has been breezy here the last few days and this evening we are getting some smoke from forest fires burning somewhere close by. In August, forest fires on the island of Chios, just south of here, were devastating. Tomorrow we plan to visit the ancient thermal baths of Polichnitos, the hottest natural spas in Europe for a therapeutic soak. According to legend this is where the Roman legions came to heal their battle wounds.