The Burnetts are still in Adamas, Milos, now at the town quay surrounded by a flotilla of Russians. Russians aren’t historically the most seafaring of people. This makes Greg suspicious. It’s hard to shake off our roots; we are children of the Cold War.
Earlier today we escorted our guest to his ferry to Athens. We are pleased he was able to partake of the whole panoply of cruiser experiences: anchoring out, med mooring, sailing downwind, motoring upwind, cursing the Raymarine, throwing out a stern anchor to turn us into the swell, traveling in a rental car through narrow alleyways, eating unfamiliar cheese, going on hot hikes uphill to view rubble, and getting language lessons from waiters. Mel is pleased to announce that, unlike other guests of ours, we did not have to induct Jeremy into Sea Story Club. As a reminder, the first rule of Sea Story Club is: You are not allowed to talk about the screw-up that got you into Sea Story Club. Don’t worry about Sea Story Club, though — it has plenty of members anyway.
Having a guest around is invigorating; it reminds you of all of the fun and unique aspects of this lifestyle. Mel is grateful that her husband invented stuff so we could afford this; she is grateful she can go days without knowing the date or the time; she is grateful she can jump in the water and hover over the local fish in the middle of the day; she is grateful everyone is healthy at the moment; she is grateful that nothing major on the boat has broken in a long time.
She does feel a tad obligated to have a great time, as all of those burned-out docs who read her KevinMD article are watching closely to see how this all works out. She also feels a bit obligated to be even more awesome a doctor when she does return to practicing medicine. But this is fine with her. A little pressure, in fact, makes this all the more sweeter. Because Mel is weird.
And so, dear reader, if you want to see what inspired this post, check out these amazing pics of Syfnos and Milos!
One of many churches on Syfnos
Syfnos has windmills!
The Cyclades get less rain than the Peloponnese
Greek kitty stretches, yawns, looks crazy
View from acropolis, Syfnos
The remains of a Mycenaean acropolis, Syfnos
Acropolis, Syfnos
Build your church near the acropolis. Why not?
Syfnos is famous for pottery
Tommy views Syfnos
The church looks so…clean!
White and blue…like Greece’s flag
Many layers of landscape
Tommy and Jeremy look out across Syfnos
Another shot of Syfnos…Mel can’t stop taking pics!
The Greeks love their bells
Pottery shop, Apollonia, Syfnos
We explore Apollonia, Syfnos
Not sure what this is…oh yeah, it’s AWESOME
We head to Kastro, Syfnos
The best rock-stackers in the world
Storage pot for children. Brilliant!
The only lime-green paint in Greece is here
View from Kastro, Syfnos
Big church goes on flat land. Small church goes on hill.
Syfnos kitty. Tommy’s pic.
The flowers know they look good here!
A view of the terracing
They even do neutrals well!
Recycling
No cars means less stress!
Cool staircase, Kastro, Syfnos
We observe a cool anchorage
Anchorage near Kastro, Syfnos
If you can’t relax here, you are doomed
We head to Milos
Saltwater messes with our sunroof
Milos looks good on a cloudy day
That’s correct. Pink rocks.
We do what the tour boats do and get closer
It’s so cool we can do this!
Heading into the giant bay that was once a volcano crater.
Fishing village. Houses have garages for boats.
This church is stealth on a cloudy day
Klima, Milos
More Klima. So cute!
Not much fish biting today
Sunset at Adamas, Milos
Thunderstorm, Adamas, Milos
On the way to the Roman theater, Milos
Christian catacombs, Milos
Roman theater, Milos
View of the backyard of Klima
It’s been restored beautifully!
The Romans know their rocks!
Parts of the set still remain!
Remains of a wedding?
A peaceful place, Pollonia, Milos
Nature, tamed and untamed, Milos
Pollonia, Milos
It’s not an alley, it’s a street!
Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
The lagoon at Sarakiniko
Man-made cave, Sarakiniko, Milos
Pool noodles are unnecessary at Sarakiniko
Weathering at Sarakiniko
Tommy colonizes a new planet
Allie likes exploring!
The kids aren’t fighting, just their shadows
Greg finds a use for the pool noodle at Sarakiniko — ATTACK!
Geology is cool
Ship’s grave, Sarakiniko. Watch out for the rocks!
Jeremy makes Mel nervous
Jeremy was taking a pic of this cool stuff
The sea works on its sculpture
Rust is pretty in the ocean. Not on a boat.
Clear water, Sarakiniko
Looking for alien life…
Man’s smooth lines, Sarakiniko
Inside the man-made caves, Sarakiniko
Tommy’s pic of the caves
We have a beach day on Paliochori Beach, Milos
Paliochori Beach
Collecting only the orange rocks is very relaxing
We sail Milos
We double-reef for a smoother ride
Greg shows Jeremy the ropes…I mean, sheets
At least the seas are following!
Pretty land and water
Marvin enjoys his sail!
Jeremy takes the helm!
Just jib out on the downwind part, making 8 kts.
We make it to Kleftiko for the night
Beautiful Kleftiko “beach”, Milos
Kleftiko, Milos
OK wind, next step in sculpture class: make it look like a person.
Marvin has a great view!
The passarelle is a work in progress…
Wonderful photos and excellent narrative. I’m Jeremy’s mom, and I approve this message. He had a wonderful time, and now is back to a humdrum life on the border. Thanks for being the perfect hosts for my kid.
Good to hear from you! It was easy; he was the perfect guest!