The Lucid Dreaming of a Romantic Comedy
Labyrinth of Luxury
This is who I wanted to travel and adventure with everyday
The Lucid Dreaming of a Romantic Comedy
The two days in Santorini felt like a lucid dream as I began to deeply connect with David. To keep in mind, I flew 10 hours just three days prior to meet him in Athens, Greece after probably a handful of dates in the US the month before. In full honesty, I did not have set expectations on how this adventure would go, but I knew the romantic spark was there and I was damned if I didn’t explore it.
As I woke up in Santorini, I found myself constantly questioning whether I was delusional. None of it actually felt real; Not the romantic candle lit dinners off the Cliffs of Fira or the endless wine glasses on the rooftops of Athens. I constantly felt like I was starring in some romantic comedy film and that there was another scripted scene in the adventure to come.
The local taxi brought us down the wild, winding road of Santorini’s cliff side to the ship port. It’s one of those rides where you don’t look up or down due to the stomach churning steepness. You stay focused on the road ahead as each turn feels like you are almost doing a 180 degree turn on the spot. At the bottom, the cliff is a view of awh with the sun peeking over the top to illuminate the road I can only describe as a large, loopy squiggle on the rock.
The Greecian ferries transport thousands of travelers daily between islands, so my recommendation is be ready with luggage in hand because the transfer is EFFICIENT. The moment the ship docks, the crew unloads the cars, luggage, and passengers within minutes. No, I am not kidding-there is not a second that is not accounted for in this process. In about ten minutes, all the new passengers, luggage, and cars were boarded presenting tickets while the drawbridge sealed and the ship set off as scheduled. The ferries are nicely accommodating with open ocean sterns, cafes, and lounge seating with tables. We continued our series of Egyptian Ratscrew (our most evenly competitive card game) with the couple hours we spent on the water. Similar to boarding, we had our backpacks secured to our shoulders waiting for the ferry to dock surrounded by cars, luggage trolleys and hundreds of other travelers ready to embark into Mykonos. Mistakenly, but hilariously, I thought David had said “Unleash the garbage!” instead of “Unleash the drawbridge!” as the drawbridge was descending that had me crying in laughter.
Labyrinth of Luxury
Hoping off the ferry, we quickly realized we were not in the downtown area of Mykonos (Old Port) and it looked like we had two options: walking or taking a SeaBus for a few euros each. Considering we had no cell service and David completely forgot the name of the hotel we had booked for the night, our best option was to take the SeaBus to Old Port to see if we can find wifi. On the SeaBus’s top deck, we were joined by three younger men that looked like they were twinning the members of ‘One Direction’ and a lovely woman traveling alone that we exchanged small conversation with about our time in Santorini.
The Old Port of Mykonos shoreline is bordered with vibrant restaurants caressed around the loop of the water. As many of the islands of Greece, there are limited cars, leaving the paths and roads to primarily feet and local motorized trucks for freight. Many of the restaurants invited us with shaded coverings over couches and tables for lounging. The white concrete buildings accented the bold blue windows and doors-Yes, it’s just like the pictures you’ve seen. The sun gleaming off of each building creating what looked like layers of property. There was one small beach wedged between the loop area and what looked like a residential area with a road leading to the higher elevation areas of Mykonos. After finding free wifi, David located our hotel name and inputted it in the map. We probably walked back and forth up this elevated road with cars tightly passing us at least three times trying to track down the entrance until we spotted a woman shaking laundry out a window. Despite the language barrier, the kind lady was able to hear our hotel name and she pointed back down the road we had already walked. In hindsight, the signage for the hotel was in white against a white building and hung well above the gate. I am still convinced it only showed up after she directed us as if magic.
The Yalos Hotel Sunset View was nothing, but stunning. Affordable even on Saturday night, but also just gorgeous. I can only assume our room was considered “basic” for Mykonos, but for us, it was luxury with an outstanding balcony view. The hotel offers a quick walk to the downtown area and a shared lounge balcony equipped with comfy seating and an impressive view of sunset. The lucid dreaming had continued.
For dinner, we decided on Kavos Taverna, which served primarily seafood, simply because of the location. It not only sat literally on the rocks of the waterfront, but there was a white wicker couch with turquoise cushions and table that summoned us with one look. Just another moment we unintentionally resembled a honeymooning couple. It was at this restaurant, I discovered the delicious watermelon and feta combination which is enriched in many Mediterranean cultures. It is now one of my highly regarded summer treats during the watermelon season.
After finishing dinner through the sunset, we set off to explore the Old Port behind the initial first line of properties. The retail shops were snuggled into the white buildings illuminated brightly by the lights on the paths and within the stores. Travelers passed wearing beautifully threaded summer, cocktail party outfits. So many bachelorette and bachelor parties heading to their destinations. With each turn, more shops of luxury retail items between suit pieces, designer bags, and elegant dresses. Then more and more couples, hand in hand, and party groups gathered together heading somewhere exciting. It was not long before we did not know which turn was heading where. It became a labyrinth of luxury that grew tiresome to our eyes. We stopped at the next store for two liquor shots and two local beers to drink on some steps watching the quick flashes of eyes of people passing us. The elegant jewelry that shined in the light and the draped fabric that flowed by passing travelers commanded my eyes even with the exhaustion of travel bounding my energy.
Upon emerging from the labyrinth, we passed some bar nightclubs that did not seem as welcoming for couples, but seemed like they may have been hosting some celebrities that I would not have noticed either way. We purchased two more beers and sat on the docks near the smaller yachts that were prepared for their drunk guests later that night. For two simple travelers, we concluded the night with the enjoyment of local beers and off brand Oreos on our private balcony.
This is who I wanted to travel and adventure with everyday
We definitely must have turned in too early because the following morning was quiet. To be fair, it was Sunday, so there was prayer that could be heard throughout the Port and it was after a Saturday night with lifting travel CoVid bans. We had breakfast at BouBoulo which was originally one of the restaurants that seemed to have begged us to lounge in when initially arrived. While enjoying coffee and eggs, we purchased tickets and reservations for our final destination. Our ferry was not leaving until 14:20 giving us a short amount of time to take a peek at any of the infamous Mykonos beaches.
With not a plan on deck, but bathing suits on, we went down to the SeaBus station for some insight on beach possibilities. David was quick to make jokes at the booth with the guy selling tickets about Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach. No, I am not making this up-those are the beach names. Yes, we wondered how Paradise Beach would feel when Ultra, Platinum, Luxury Super Paradise Beach will be opening next. After quick conversation with the guy at the SeaBus station, we realized we would not have enough time to measure the Paradise-ness of either beach and was recommended to visit Agios Stefanos Beach. He explained that it is just past the New Port (2 miles/3.7 km) up the road and that we should have taken the SeaBus that was literally undocking at that very moment behind him. It seemed like time stopped for a second as David and I looked at each other in confusion that he did take any interest in stopping the SeaBus to let us on. We continued to ask when the next Seabus would be available assuming it would be soon to find out it was a whole hour later.
We sat for another moment in disappointment, beginning to analyze our options as he grabbed his keys and said he would just drive us there himself. In confusion, I asked if that would be an issue leaving the SeaBus ticket station to which he shrugged, motioned us to follow him to his vehicle and continued to explain that he actually is working to own a part of the company himself. We piled into his little work truck-me on David’s lap in the passenger’s seat-as he drove us talking about the anticipated travel season after minimal travel during CoVid from the year prior. He refused to let us pay for his time and kindness, but at least provided his name: Harry.
When we arrived at the beach, it was not crowded thankfully and there were multiple open umbrellas and lounge chairs available for rent. With the start of a cocktail and beer, we briefly laid in the warm Greece sunrays before heading for a dip in the water. Being from Michigan, US, I have never had the experience to swim in clear water unless a chlorinated pool which made the sea floor look more inviting than ever. A stray small fish here and there, some shells scattered around and layers of sand developed by the natural waves of the salt water supported my feet. The July heat of Greece was smothered by the coolness from the sea creating a perfect environment. As the crowd started to build on the beach, we peppered with the volleyball from when David picked me up from the Athens airport dodging other kids zooming by with accompanied chasing adults.
When we came back to our rental lounge area, we quickly realized that a wave must have reached where we were due to my bag being completely soaked including David’s wallet that was stuffed inside. There was almost no damage except for receipts from 2013 still lingering in David’s wallet that needed to be discarded anyway.
It was around 13:15 that we assumed it would be good to start heading back to the hotel for our luggage. We set off up the road where David assured me multiple times that we would just take a taxi. In retrospect, this was very early in our timeline and I wanted to avoid seeming…needy or worrisome about small details. I had known he traveled a lot and trusted him about finding a taxi even though my concerns were strong about finding a ride. I felt as if we were already lucky for Harry’s gesture earlier that morning. We began walking the main road towards the New Port without a taxi in sight. David even attempted hitchhiking the random vehicles passing by until I accidentally stepped on his Brazilian themed right flipflop breaking the thong forcing David to a bare foot on the hot sandy asphalt. Throughout my various apologies, I quickly began using my hairtie as a way to reattach the thong for a temporary fix.
At this point, we had walked/hopped almost to the New Port where we could see a ferry in the distance delivering new travelers. My concern intensified to stress and anxiety. Keeping what composure I had left, I refrained from saying “I told you” and expressed “we’re in trouble”. It was about this point where the factor of time became our largest stress. At New Port, you can see Old Port a little over a mile (2 km) away, but even lightly jogging, that would be 30 minutes on top of getting our luggage, checking out, and pulling up our tickets for these efficient ferries. The stress was building and I encouraged that we could make it if we hustled even though in reality, we would not.
With David’s realization of my depreciating faith, he jumped into action. He quickly scanned the horizon around us and it was then that we heard the faint sound of a motor. What looked like a little motorized bike, turned the corner from the New Port towards us. David said without hesitation “This is our ride”. I was not even able to question “what?” before David walked straight into the path of the motorbike waving his arms up and down to signal the driver. To my surprise, the driver slowed down and the motor quieted a little. He thankfully spoke decent English and he agreed to take us to Old Port for forty euros. It was a price we were not willing to turn down. We squeezed into the two seats attached to back of the motorbike resembling Hagrid’s motorcycle from ‘Harry Potter’ and set off to Old Port. We were not able to make out his name through his thick Greecian accent as we all introduced each other, but he seemingly looked like a “Poncho”. Poncho voiced how he thought we were crazy for our awful planning and punctuality, but lightened it with how lucky it was that he was there to save us. We could not stop laughing at each other as we only half heard/understand Poncho over the motor and the fact that David convinced him to actually give us a ride.
Forty euros later and an enormous amount of luck got us to the hotel with time to spare glancing at my clock. It was 13:50 and the ferry does not arrive until 14:20. We retrieved our backpacks and headed down to Old Port laughing at the recap of what had just happened. We walked to the docks to find a gelato spot where we figured we had deserved a treat for somehow getting through all of that. As we sat down with our frozen treat, we continued floating through waves of laughter until I started looking around the docks… Then it hit me, this is not the right dock. These waterways were too small and this was Old Port not New Port. We had completely forgot we had taken a damn SeaBus to Old Port. It was 14:05. We had 15 minutes to be over a mile away with our backpacks ready to board.
We bounced up in a scramble to the SeaBus station to find out the next one was not available until 15:00. The panic was real…again. We knew missing this ferry was missing the transfer ferry to our next destination where our accommodation was already booked with nothing booked for Mykonos that night. David stammered up to two other smaller yachts asking if they were willing to take us to New Port, but no luck. How in the world was this happening again?
14:10: We started analyzing the distance knowing we wouldn’t make it on foot, but wait…is that Poncho? No…No way. That is Poncho and his motorbike over on the other side of the Old Port loop.
David handed me his laptop bag and started sprinting until his flipflop broke free from my temporary hairtie solution. In mid stride, David grabbed it and continued sprinting bare foot on the hot pavement calling out to Poncho. This sight must have been it all for the locals and other travelers; David running with flipflop in hand then me following with his laptop bag in one hand, gelato in the other and backpacks on our shoulders.
David starts making headway towards Poncho and the lovely lady from the Seabus when we first arrived notices us and asks “Hey, you guys leaving?!”. I turn towards her replying yes with a smile mid sprint still holding the gelato. How did that lady make a last cameo?! Who wrote that into the script?!
When I turn back to David and start catching up, David is already begging Poncho for one last ride to New Port to make our ferry. Poncho half laughed and stated his, yet another, steep price. It did not matter-we were paying. Poncho got up stating “Show me the money”. David somewhat laughed ripping out his wallet showing sixty euros. We pile in, the motorbike starts to once again save our asses, and we start off.
14:14: Poncho asks when the ferry is due and explains that we already missed it, but I reassure that I do not see it and the scheduled time is 14:20. He shares his opinion of our poor planning once again.
14:16: Poncho is gunning it pulling into the New Port area turning each corner with a little extra speed and weaving around the pedestrians/bikes.
14:18: We are at the New Port dock…with no ferry. Miraculously, Poncho points out that our ferry is out in the distance some minutes late and explains that he has never seen a ferry not punctual. I don’t know what the chances were that the ferry was going to be late that day, but I was so very thankful it was. Half jokingly Poncho admitted he had wished the ferry was not late just to give us another ride. David handed him the 2nd hero fee Poncho deserved and stated that he would always be in our hearts. With not a second to breathe, Poncho replied “I don’t want to be in your hearts. I want to be in your pockets”. And you bet, we quickly snapped a picture with our hero.
14:20: our tickets are yet to be printed. David scrambles up to the booth window and I watch the ferry draw closer to the dock hoping for a short line, but am unable to tell as we are surrounded by other passengers. And yes, Poncho still parked I assume to be an expensive backup plan if our ticket reservations had failed.
14:22: I have been waiting with our backpacks attempting to reattach David’s flipflop monitoring the ferry as it drew closer by the half minute.
14:25: The ferry was officially beginning the redocking throwing ropes out and anchors down. Unbelievable. We might not make it after all of this chaos just because I decided to not get global cell service to pull up our tickets.
It was finally 14:27, the ferry drawbridge started to fall as David scurried up to me with printed tickets in hand. I stammer to my feet and we grab our bags to join the crowd for boarding “just as planned”. Poncho I imagine was laughing, counting his fees, and shaking his head at the two Americans with piss poor planning for transportation.
No, I still do not know how that all ended up working out, but we did board that ferry to Athens. It was not until we sat down in our seats when we both busted out laughing. My anxiety started to settle as I did not know whether to half cry or not. Either way, my legs felt a little numb. And it was not until David came back with a bowl of fruit, piece of cake and an apology from the cafe that I knew this is who I wanted to travel and adventure with everyday.
