We’ve spent the last few days in Mykonos. It’s somehow managed to be simultaneously exhilarating and utterly relaxing. Tim found a place to rent ATVs, so we’ve all put on our helmets and motored our way around from one end of the island to another. I needed all my faculties focused on driving, so I got very few photos, but the landscape was alien, stark, and stunning… tiny whitewashed chapels, donkeys, goats, views over the Aegean Sea, a rising gibbous moon, iconic pine trees and, of course, the beautiful white and blue houses. The impossibly narrow roads are also teeming with other tourists on their ATVs and scooters, pedestrians, hotel vans, and somehow (surely it’s a break in space/time?) gigantic tour buses. In a word, it’s chaotic. After short jaunts out and about, we’d make our way back to the oasis of our hotel, and recover relax by the pool for the afternoon.

As we wind down our last few hours in Greece before leaving for Paris, I’m reflecting back on our 12 days in the country. It’s been a whirlwind, and I’m breathless with how much we’ve managed to squeeze into such a short amount of time. But even as I marvel at the natural beauty, the architecture, the history, the food, the adventure…. I’m most impressed with the friendliness of the people. The Greek people we’ve been lucky enough to meet have been uncommonly gracious hosts. They’ve shared an exceeding pride of their country and have been so open in sharing the best of their home with us. Beyond any guidebook, the people we’ve met have been so willing to share what we shouldn’t miss and what makes their home most spectacular. They have made us feel like welcome and honored guests.

It was our first trip to Greece, but I sincerely hope it is only the first of many.

*** yet again, it’s taken me a few days to get caught up. We left Mykonos on 20 Aug, and have been in Paris since then.