I fly back from Chania, Crete to Athens. A short flight vs a 16 hour ferry.

My dear friend Nikos picks me up in Athens. I’ve shared this story in prior years but in 2018 I had flown in to Athens with the plan to take an arranged taxi to the port for a ferry to Hydra. As I landed in Athens I learned that there had been a 2 day ferry strike. About 50,000 people were stranded throughout the islands and I would not be able to ferry to Hydra. But my driver, Nikos, offered an alternative by saying he could drive me 2 hours down the coast to take a 20 minute private taxi to Hydra. Yes please. Nikos and I talked the whole ride, and I asked if he could pick me up when I got back to Athens. I’ve seen him every year since; now we enjoy dinner with his wife Laticia who is from Paraguay.

My day in Athens is spent walking and shopping. I have a few favorite shops here – not designer clothes or bags but olive oil, honey and Greek body products.

I have always said Athens gets a bad rap, but it is a vibrant city that always seems to be evolving, even with the constant historical roots everywhere you turn. Many neighborhoods are going thru revitalization. New luxury hotels are cropping up everywhere.

I love shopping in Plaka. It is filled with shops that have been here for years. I love going back to the same shop and seeing familiar faces. It is hard to believe they remember me but they do.

I love the street food, if only for the craft!

I’m having dinner with Nikos and his beautiful wife Laticia.

We go to a cool restaurant named Gecko, located in the Gatsby Hotel.

I cherish these dinners with Nikos and Laticia. We talk about life, travel, families and the world at large. Nikos calls it our annual rendezvous and I look forward to many more.

Nikos overhears a couple at the bar sharing that they are from Atlanta. I introduce myself and I meet Gina and her husband Rob. Not only are they from Atlanta but she lived in the same neighborhood as me, our kids went to the same school and we have many mutual friends. It’s a small world for sure.

I go to sleep knowing that I’ll be heading home but also with the deepest gratitude for a wonderful adventure.

Bracing myself for the 12 hour flight home, but it will give me an opportunity to reflect on so many amazing memories.

Final post and reflections tomorrow.