We started the day relaxing at our Airbnb/resort/villa, and ended exploring Aegina Town and enjoying the most delicious meal. But before the rest of us had left our beds, Bender did a quick 4 miles around the area and brought back pics!
This is the front of our villa resort. We talked to the owner and one of the employees who said it’s only been open 8 years. It feels like it’s belonged longer than that. Not older, it just fits so perfectly.
During our time in Aegina, we have encountered very few people without good command of the English language - and many with mad English skills. Lots of signs are in Greek and English and the Greek people we have met have been incredibly friendly. We don’t think we are here during high season, because the island is definitely not crowded and restaurants and shop owners are happy to see us. This is our first experience traveling somewhere where not only do we not know the language, we don’t even know the alphabet, aside from the Greek letters Zoe knows.
One of the other things we’ve noticed is all the buildings that have been started but abandoned. So many half constructed hotels and condos - and Chris said there were huge beachfront areas that were dirt roads without any buildings. We are very close to Athens and expected beachfront property to be gone!
Captured Bender taking a pic of his morning espresso - I don’t think he knew I was out on the patio. I’m going to miss my morning espresso! Last time we came back from Europe we got a soda stream, maybe this time it’s an espresso machine!
Lots and lots of pictures taken today. The property and surrounding area is like a dream - I don’t want to forget any of it. So scroll through, skip through, whatever. I’ll be looking back at these blog posts for years to come!
The coastal engineer checking out the dock to make sure we were good to use it.
It was good to go. We all used it. Way more solid than it looks. The water was kind of chilly - and so much saltier than the Atlantic.
First family selfie of the day!
Family swim/float. I was on picture duty this time - but we did all get in later on. Two ocean swims this trip! That’s hugE for me. It helps that I could see everything from above and saw nothing. It was the clearest water - but other than coral, we saw nothing in it.
This was my vision for the family pic later on in the day, but it didn’t quite work out. But these three are cute!
We brought Bryant Lacrosse to Aegina.
Chris found the sauna on his run, and asked the employee if they could use it. Our new friend said they could but it was too hot for a sauna. My Florida family disagreed and made it 11 minutes - although according to the kids, Bender cheated because his heater was broken. They went from sauna into the ocean again.
Look at these two contemplating the world…or at least the ocean.
Statue guy was watching.
Meanwhile, this was a perfect way to spend an hour or so. So many little cabanas built into the rocks - some full sun, some full shade. Something for everyone!
After our beach time, Bender walked down the hill to grab some snacks from the bakery and grocery store. Baklava and sesame pretzels and nuts. The only thing we haven’t been able to find is some electrolytes!!
Yay for family pics! This one is a leading contender for the holiday card this year. So if you see it in December again, don’t be surprised.
Then we called Christoph, our original taxi driver to pick us up and drop us in Aegina Town. First stop? A pistachio specialty store. So many samples. Pistachio pesto (purchased), pistachio butter (purchased), pistachio baklava, liquor, and a bunch of other things - delish!! We also grabbed some pistachios. Zoe got gelato - but not pistachio, and Zack grabbed coffee.
Obsessed with this street with all the umbrellas. Definitely called for a selfie.
We window shopped and for real shopped and wandered town for a couple hours and then headed to dinner. We had a recommendation from the hotel, and it got amazing reviews, but the menu was kind of small and we’re a bit complicated- one vegetarian and one gluten free, and weren’t really feeling seafood tonight. So we kept looking and I’m so freaking happy we did. Petra Edesmatopolion was absolutely delish. We ate everything we ordered and loved everything we ate.
And if you’re a sparking water fan and ever run into this, buy it. And buy me some too while you’re at it. They call it sour water - but I think it’s more spicy that sour 😉
Beer of the evening. Both great.
Pretty typical Chris and I photo - and mood.
But yay! A good one too!
Appetizers. Our tzatziki tour continued - and this one is now at the top of our list. It was a little spicy which we loved. We also tried a spicy feta dip (yum), feta fries, garlic dip, fava beans in tomato sauce, and dolmades - which were fantastic. I seriously considered ordering more for my main meal, but I didn’t.
Fava beans. So good. The kids didn’t necessarily understand, but I’m a bean girl and I thought they were delish.
Zoe’s slow cooked pork chop.
Bender’s pita with feta and other cheese with honey and pistachios, and his Grandma’s cheese pies.
Beet root and pistachio ravioli. High up there on things I’ve eaten and loved.
Zack’s kabob and pita - fun plating tonight!
And his Houvardadika Sujuks. Kind of like meatballs…but not. Everyone tried everything they could and enjoyed!
Our cute little outside area with a local dog who joined us for the end of our dinner. We’re missing Kai and loved having her. She may have gotten some pork. There are tons of stray cats all over the place, but this was the only stray dog. Figures that she found us.
After this, we walked down the street and found a bar to get some Ouzo. Chris was talking about waiting till Athens, but I figured we’d want to try it more than once. 😉 It was like a pizzelle - or black licorice - but stronger. I thought it was delicious. Zack said smelling it was enough.
Then it was time to walk back through town and grab a taxi back to our villa.
But not without stopping for a selfie with the insane sunset tonight. Pictures don’t do it justice, but you know we tried!
We made one more trip down the hill to the convenience store for ice cream for tonight and snacks for tomorrow and then packed up and got ready for bed. 10:20 ferry to Athens tomorrow. So excited to explore a new city - especially our little area of Plaka.
XOXO, the Benderz
