As I leave Alonissos I realize how special it has been. Beautiful, quiet and natural.

I arrived in Skiathos from Alonissos yesterday afternoon, a 2 hour ferry ride. Skiathos is the busiest island in the Sporades group primarily because it has an airport. I learned there are many direct flights from the UK and a popular getaway with holiday packages.

I immediately pick up on the change of energy from the other islands. This is a busy, crowded island even in September. It’s beautiful, but so different. And as usual for me, another travel/transition day feels a bit uncomfortable. I’m uncertain where I’m at, where to go and I’m lacking any sense of distance. I accept that this is normal for me as the first day in any new place feels, well, weird.

Skiathos, or really any of these islands, is not an island of high end luxury resorts (like Santorini or Mykonos) but this a nice place on the water with a good location.

I decide to explore one of the many beaches and jump on the public beach to Koukounaries beach, the most famous beach here. Everything here is identified by the bus stop #, and I go from #1 to #22. I really am clueless about where I’m going. I listen for clues from other people and often end up following the pack.

It’s a busy and crowded beach, not really my ideal but I’m glad I saw it and spent just a few hours. I take the water taxi back to town, it adds to the experience.

For dinner go to a really fun lively restaurant with a DJ and small dance floor. I meet 5 other solo women from the UK and enjoy hearing their stories. I meet them via a post on Facebook, like a Meetup. Most of them have been here 10+ times so I get a lot of helpful info about Skiathos. They love this island.

I’m told that Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell frequent this place. Lots of 80s music and LOTS of ABBA. You really need to like ABBA if you visit this island.

The UK girls are all going out to drink after dinner, I’m happy to head back to plan the next day.

If Alonissos had about 10 restaurants in the port, Skiathos easily has 100, maybe 200. It’s just one after the other. I don’t know even how people differentiate them.

As I said, just such a different energy. Excited to check it out.

Cheers!