Upon arrival, his mom, Maria, greeted us with a big smile and an offer of home made cookies, special for Easter time. They were delicious! Maria didn't speak very much English but every time she saw us she had a big smile on her face and always, always offered us those yummy cookies. We didn't say no once!
After getting settled in the room we went to a small cafe for a snack. Then we went on a tour of the city. Thirty minutes later, we had seen it all so we decided to go hiking around in the foothills above the city. It was the most beautiful hike I have done in awhile. Spring flowers were everywhere and the views were amazing.
After we got back and cleaned up we read our books in the hotel gardens. Maria was busy baking those cookies and the whole place smelled heavenly. Her son brought us out some cookies while we were reading. Bar none, this hotel is the friendliest most hospitable place we have ever stayed.
While we were reading I also saw boy getting a driving lesson, a donkey driving lesson! Save for a couple of garbage trucks there are no motor vehicles on the island. The mode of transportation and hauling things is donkeys.
Later that evening we walked to a point to watch the sun set. While we were sitting there we saw a golden retriever on a walk with his owner. The dog picked up this big brick and walked away with it. Thirty minutes later he came back and plopped down right in front of us, brick in mouth. He just wanted someone to pet him. He was pretty cute and we were surprised he hauled that brick around for so long!
To start off the morning of our second day in Hydra we enjoyed a delicious home made breakfast at the hotel. Then we went for a walk along the coast. We walked through the towns Avlaki, Kamini, Vlychos and, Plakes. At Plakes there was a beach of sorts with a cafe and beach chairs so we stayed there and relaxed for a bit before heading back.
After our walk we went back to the same cafe for a snack, did some window shopping and had dinner.
The next day we had to leave. We were both a little disappointed. Hydra was so relaxing and beautiful. When we got back to Athens, we went to the National Archeological Museum. It was so interesting! We saw ancient crystal bowls that were so thin you could almost see through them. We also saw the famous Mask of Agamemnon. We went back to Taverna Kilmataria and ordered the same thing. It was a different kind of sausage which at first I was bummed about but this one ended up being pretty good too.
View from our hotel window.
Entrance to the Greco Hotel.
Down at the port.
He was such a cute little guy. Later I tried to pet another donkey and I almost got bit!
Our hike into the foothills begins.
On the way up we passed through a cemetery. I really liked this one because on all the headstones, there is an open space where people put a picture of the deceased and a patron saint or some other memento from the person's life.
Do you see the donkey train?
Headed to the towns along the coast.
After we passed Plakes, Ben wanted to keep hiking. I thought the beach chairs and a peach tea sounded pretty inviting so Ben headed off on his own and I went to enjoy my book in the sun with some peach tea in hand.
Before we left Maria gave us a bag of the special Easter cookies for the boat ride back. I am sure you've already guessed that those cookies were gone before we even got on the boat. In our defense though, the boat was thirty minutes late.
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