The Greek Islands are known to have a lot of stray cats but I think Hydra has the most cats per capita. Of course who can know for sure but there are cats everywhere. They mind their own affairs, other than occasionally looking for a drop of food to fall at a restaurant. They look to be well fed, I’m not sure who all feeds them but I’m happy to share a bit of food or a little scratch on their head.

I wonder if they know what a lovely place they live in.

Yesterday I went to Bisti Beach, a quiet and natural beach vibe where the trees come down to the rocky beach.

You get to Bisti via a water taxi, as with most beaches in Hydra. It is certainly not luxurious i.e. no button by the chair for service or sushi service like Mandraki. It is rustic and the water is extraordinarily pure.

Another typical day including a Greek Salad, even the most basic and rustic beach has a small beach bar.

I finish my book which was written by an Aussie author that lived in Hydra in the 1950s. She captures the very early days of Hydra, long before tourists discovered the beauty.

At Bisti I hear multiple languages being spoken around me, very few Americans if any. This is very comforting to me for some reason, it feels like a cultural experience and I like the idea that we can find happiness together on this little island. There are families, older couples, honeymooners, and some young backpackers that remind me of my first trip here.

After Bisti comes the sunset bar where, again, there is no rush to move on. Or even to move. People park here for hours then jump into the water off the swimming rocks.

The pace is slow and relaxed especially as the day goes on.

Dinner is at a beautiful restaurant, Castello, a bit away from the port via water taxi. Even the journey feels festive. It is a beautiful night and the view of yet another mega yacht reminds me of watching Below Deck on Bravo.

With only a few days left in Hydra, I start to wonder about what I may have missed. Not a single museum or church yet I feel complete with my simple and predictable days. It is what I needed.

If only the islands progressed enough to allow toilet paper being flushed down the toilet….that will be a story for another day…