Coffee, Beach and Shopping - A Great Combination, Don't You Think?

 

Greek coffee at a cafe in Stavros

Sunday, July 10 - Trip Day 11

Our next stop on our tour of Ithaca was the town of Stavros, a large village on the  north side of the island.  We exited the busses and took a walk to explore the town.  In the center of town is a large bust of Odysseus.  A pretty yellow stucco Orthodox church lights up the main street.   A little further down are tempting bakeries and pastry shops, next to a cafe/restaurant with ample al fresco seating to be able to people watch for an hour.

I was traveling with the ladies, Connie, Nancy and Susan, as Michael was off swimming for the morning.  We found a nice table to relax, order Greek coffee and some treats and enjoy the activities.

Our cafe/bakery stop in Stavros, Ithaca

Cheers to my coffee buddy, Connie

Michael, in the mean time, was on one of his "choose your own adventure" mornings.  He found a kindred spirit from the Sea Cloud, Antonnia, and they walked to a local beach for swimming.  Along the way, they met a friendly pup who followed them from the city to the beach and back.

Beach near Vathy where Michael enjoyed swimming

New friend, that followed him to the swimming beach and back

On our bus ride back from Stavros, Paula spoke at length about Odysseus.  She read passages to us from Homer's Odyssey, with his descriptions of the island from 2700 years ago.

Paula also read us the poem, Ithaka by CP Cavafy.  The poem was a favorite of Jaqueline Kennedy Onasiss and it was read at her funeral.  

"As you set out for Ithaka, hope the voyage is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery....

........Cyclops and wild Poseidon, you won't encounter them unless you bring them along inside your soul.... Hope the voyage is a long one."

Restaurants along the quay at Vathy

A perfect little place to stop for a Fanta

Pretty colors, pretty view

Cute little shop - I bought  gifts here, including Michael's birthday present, a sailboat painting

Saying goodbye to Odysseus as we leave on the Zodiacs for the Sea Cloud and our next adventure.

Time lapse video leading Vathy and the bay and heading out into the Ionian Sea: