HYDRA
Hydra was our Greek Isle experience, and was it ever lovely! Crystal clear waters, quaint cobblestone streets, and a quiet, calm, slower pace of life. This was the place to truly unwind, relax and just soak in the peace and beauty around you.
Day 11: Epidavros and Hydra
Before we arrived in Hydra, we visited the theater at Epidavros. This is thought to be the most perfect Greek theater based on acoustics, and they were impressive. We sat in the stands and could hear people talking in a normal voice who were standing far below in the center. Once again, the theater had an impressive mountain scene as a backdrop. I suppose there was no need for stage props to be made, as the natural background creates all the drama and mystery you would need!
We took a ferry to Hydra where we unloaded and walked as a group to our hotels through the winding, cobblestoned streets of Hydra. There are no cars allowed on this island, and the locals still use donkeys to transport goods, which lends a lot to the peaceful, quaint feel of the place. We had lunch at a little place near our hotel and then wandered through the lanes, admiring the architecture, the flowers, and the plethora of local stray cats wandering the streets. We had no real agenda, so I will let the photos speak for themselves.
Day 12: Hydra
Our hotel provided a breakfast fit for kings! We sat down and dish after dish was delivered to us. When we couldn't possibly eat any more, we thanked our hosts and headed out on a walk. David W. had offered a guided walk around Hydra, but David and I had decided to strike out on our own instead. We hiked a trail along the water with gorgeous views to reach a beach a few miles over. The water was the most beautiful, rich color, which stood in perfect contrast to the rolling yellow grass hills covered with pops of read from the wildflowers. After wading in the clear turquoise water to cool off, we wandered back and found a place for lunch with seaside views and relaxed, enjoying some stuffed mushrooms and Greek salad.
Upon our return to town, we did a little souvenir shopping and then found a bench to watch the sunset. We finished off with a wonderful dinner in a place David W. had suggested for us where we indulged on stuffed grape leaves and lentils. It was another perfect Greek day! It is hard to believe our trip is coming to an end!
