This is a travel day, as I head to a new set of islands, the Sporades. This means saying goodbye to Hydra very early and embark on a full day of travel.

I leave Hydra around 7 am on a ferry back to Athens. It’s a 2 hour trip back to Piraeus port, my friend Nikos picks me up there to take me to Athens airport. I’m grateful to have a friend and familiar face to guide me. We go along the sea for a slower trip to the airport as I have a few hours before my flight. I’m amazed how beautiful the area outside of Athens is, lovely homes and beaches. I don’t think many people realize that you can stay at the beach and be within 30 minutes of the Acropolis. We see a massive development along the coast where they will build a mini city where the airport once was.

My flight to Skiathos is 30 minutes, yet I spend much more time navigating through checkin and security at the Athens airport.

After arriving in Skiathos, I catch a taxi to the port where I await the ferry to go to Skopelos. I sit in a cafe awaiting the ferry, these ports are crazy with frenetic energy. Cars, motorcycles, trucks and passengers all awaiting different ferries with absolutely no signage or organization. Everything is word of mouth, with the risk of being on the wrong side of the pier when your ferry arrives. Chaos.

As I’m sitting at the cafe waiting, I see a lovely British older couple who inquire with the waiter about the ferry to Skopelos, then on to Alonissos. Seems like they have been here before. I follow them out to the pier for the Flying Dolphin ferry and I see that they are holding hands tightly the entire walk. I think how sweet and lovely this is. They end up sitting in front of me and we chat, where he shares that they have had a home in Alonissos for 30 years and are here for a month. He shares that his wife has dementia so he must keep her very close. How beautiful and poignant.

The ferry is full so a woman sits next to me from the UK, we have a lovely chat about the Greek Islands and how we feel they are very special. We share travel stories and she shares that she and her husband had bought a sailboat with the intent of sailing the Greek Islands. Then the pandemic hit. Then her husband experienced some serious health issues. They sold the boat yesterday. These are reminders that the convergence of time, money and health can be fleeting.

We talk about our bucket lists and she mentions that she walked the Camino de Santiago, mostly alone. This is on my list to do and I’m inspired by her journey. She did the entire 500 km pilgrimage and she said it was just focusing on one step at a time. We share info as they are headed in to Alonissos. Jules, I hope to see you when I get there next week!!

I finally arrive in Skopelos around 5 pm, exhausted and feeling out of sorts. My hotel is a short taxi ride from the port. I know this feeling – arriving in a new place after long travel. I feel anxious and disoriented. It’s hard especially when solo, without a travel partner to commiserate.

I spend a little time on the little beach in front of my hotel. I read a bit and have a swim. This, more than anything, helps ease my anxiety.

I walk into town to explore and have dinner. Lots of shops and cafes.

I have dinner at town, it will be an early night after the travel day. I go to sleep watching Mama Mia on my iPad, this is where they filmed it and I want to be reminded of the sites before I head out to explore. The filming here in 2007 was when the popularity of these islands really exploded.

Starting the day with a new book, my 5th one, and I chose it because it is based in Greece. Sitting in the cafe I hear people chat in multiple languages and I’m reminded that people are here from all around the world. Lots of Brits as there are direct flights to Skiathos. Very few Americans.

Time to explore Skopelos!