Greece: Of Myths, Mediterranean Food, and Beaches – Part 2 of 2

Travel Buzz

To pick up where we left off (where I talked about Athens in the earlier part of this article), I have always been curious about the Greek isles which not a few have been raving about. That’s why before embarking on this Greek adventure, I have decided to see two of the most popular ones, Mykonos and Santorini, and booked hotels in these two islands. On my last day in Athens, I went to a local tour office in Athens and bought a one way ferry ticket to Mykonos. I got the Blue Star Ferries ticket where the port is in Piraeus, about half an hour by car (sans traffic). The ferry leaves at 8 in the morning and it’s about a 4-hour trip. There are ferries that run faster, but the faster it gets, the rougher the ride and I don’t want to get seasick thereafter. The ride was pleasant and gave me time to write another article for the blog. I got a business class seat, but on hindsight, I should have settled for economy coz the common dining lounge already looks comfortable. Business class may be advisable on peak season where coach can get too crowded for comfort.

Business class section of Blue Star Ferry

Mykonos

We reached Mykonos around noon and my mistake was not to confirm the hotel transfer with my hotel (Super Paradise Suites) that I have included in my hotel booking. So I waited for a ride that wasn’t there to start with. So after hanging up on hotel staff learning that there’s no transfer to the hotel, I shared a cab with two young ladies from Utah who happen to be staying in the same hotel. We chatted with the cab driver and learned that locals and non-locals alike only work in the island from April to September and the island becomes silent in the next 6 months. There will still be some tourists on lean months, but most of the restos and shops are closed during this period. Non-locals then return to their home base, while locals take this opportunity to travel.

Luxury shops in the island that remind me of those in Capri

The hotel is situated on the hilly edge of Super Paradise Beach (not to be mistaken with another beach in the island called Paradise Beach). So getting to and from the beach would require some hiking which I don’t mind (good daily exercise for me) but not recommended for anyone with mobility concerns given the very steep trail to the beach as well as to where the shuttle that goes to town proper would pick up passengers. When I got to my room, I was pleased with the stunning views of the beach and the Aegean sea with the mountains as backdrop. Just like any island resort, everything here is expensive. Sun beds will set you back as much as 50 euros for a day rent (prices drop as beds get farther away from the shore). Aegean sea reminds me of Mediterranean sea, mystical, magical, enticing clear blue waters (the latter though is on the greenish shade). Per feng shui, my birth element is water, so I’m not surprised why I always get attracted to bodies of water. Maybe I’m a descendant of Poseidon (who lost by the way to Athena on that epic battle I shared in the first part of the article).

View from my room (Super Paradise Suites)

Mykonos, like Bali, is a beach haven so your trip to the island would mostly consists of beach hopping. On hindsight, I should have stayed in any of the hotels in the town proper since that is where all the buses that go to the different beaches pick passengers. It could have saved me a few euros from the daily shuttle between my hotel and the town proper and getting on a bus to the next beach. But what didn’t save me from the island greed was a trip to Platys Gialos beach. That’s where I realized that Mykonos, with all its charm and beauty, can also have the most cruel tourist trap that even the most seasoned traveler could fall victim to. I made a mistake of being lured into Dk Oyster, a beachfront seafood resto. With its nice sun beds facing a beautiful beach, I was enticed with what the in-house ‘hawkers’ sell as a good buy where if you dine in the resto for at least 50 euros, you get a sun bed all day for free, otherwise you pay the same amount up front for a day rent. So I went in and came out 700 euros lighter and 700 euros wiser. How’d that happen? Below is the screen grab from my Tripadvisor review:

The biggest lesson I got from this experience is not what I’ve lost but how to keep a positive mindset after the initial shock and trauma. As I’ve said, it was cruel, which took me a while to recover, but when I did, I tried to condition myself to continue enjoying the holiday and just find ways to cut my losses. I’m here on a holiday and no matter what happens, I’ll move on and enjoy the rest of my vacation. First task I did after accepting my fate was to downgrade my Istanbul hotel (last leg of my trip) which I booked thru my Le Club Accor so I was still able to cancel it a few days before my actual stay. I was able to save a few hundred euros after finding a much cheaper hotel (but in a less desirable location though). I was also able to cut on my onward ferry ticket to Santorini and saved a few more euros from giving up sun beds and just lay on the sands to enjoy the sun and the sea. On hindsight, I should have checked the reviews in Tripadvisor before getting in, coz now I’ve learned that not a few have been victimized by Dk Oyster, with each one having a #metoo horror story to tell. The vileness continues, where for every negative review, Tripadvisor will be flooded with fake positive reviews (you be the judge when you read all the ‘positive’ reviews particularly this peak season). But in spite of all these, I stayed true to myself and kept whatever dignity I have left from this experience: I didn’t scrimp on food (see Travel In Style Part 2) and would never blame my misfortune on being a foodie. Bad things happen to good people not because they love good food.

Some of the meals I had in Mykonos. From left: Spaghetti Frutti de Mare, Mussels Marinara, and Lamb Chops (yes, they are all delish!)

So I also checked out Paradise Beach. Just like Super Paradise beach, party starts at 4PM when the sound systems would start booming loud music and partyphiles would gather and groove in their swimwear with drinks on hand. As in Super Paradise beach, there is a portion of the beach for nudist, where young and old, of different shapes and sizes, will bare and let it all hang out like it’s nobody’s business. Someone who comes from a conservative society like the Philippines would probably cringe at the sight, but not me. I’ve seen similar places before (like the lakes in Germany during summer) where I’d probably be more culture shocked with how nasty tourist traps are than public nudity. So if you think my swimwear pics are too out there, think again. Coz that’s nothing compared to what’s out there.

Santorini

So after having enough of the popular beaches (and greed) of Mykonos, I took a ferry to Santorini. I bought a one way Golden Star ferry ticket from a tour office in Mykonos town. The trip from Mykonos to Santorini was about 5 hours, so it gave me some more free time to finish an article I was writing. Unlike what happened at Mykonos port, I have a driver waiting for me at Santorini port to bring me to Ersi Villas. On the way, I chatted with the driver and unlike Mykonos, Santorini is open all year round to tourists. Upon dropping me at the villas, I instantly got the homey vibe and feel that I was expecting from this kind of accommodation. I was met by Elias, the amiable owner of the villas and right away gave me directions and tips on what to do in the island. A traveler himself, Elias knows exactly what guests need and was even generous in swapping travel stories with me as well as helping me out with my island itinerary.

The villa is located on the mid section of the hill (Santorini is hilly, like San Francisco hilly) in Firostefani. Firostefani is in between Fira, the capital town, and Imerovigli. Firostefani has good number of shops and restos, and the walk path from Firostefani square to Imerovigli is what I would call the best resto row. Here you will find some of the best restos in the island, from To Briki to La Maison. They offer traditional Greek dishes and my ultimate fave, seafood! All three towns are easy walk from each other, that’s why no need to take the bus, unless you want to get to the far end of the island where Oia is with its popular sunset or to the different beaches in the island. Just like in Mykonos, you have to take the buses at the Fira town proper to get to the different beaches.

A guy proposing to his girl at the popular Oia sunset viewing deck. Everyone in the crowd who was there for the sunset cheered after she said “Uhmm…” Just kidding, she said yes 🙂

If I have to describe Santorini in one word, then it would be ‘stunning.’ It actually reminds me of Positano, where the views are just simply stunning. Even the beaches have better views than Mykonos. It makes me wonder now why I even went to Mykonos, when Santorini can offer the same experience (except for the greed) plus so much more. From its caldera to mountain views, beaches to sunsets, dining to shopping, everything seems to bring out only positive and exciting experience. Santorinians are more welcoming, hospitable, and true, and seems to put guest satisfaction over selfish gains. In fact, during this whole Greek adventure, it was in Santorini where I had the best dining experience. I never had any disappointment in all the restos I have dined in where not only the food was great, but the service was at par with my personal standards and expectations and you are seated at the edge of the caldera with its magnificent views.

Best dining experience (need I say more?). From left: Amberjack (La Maison), Dorade (The Greeks), Pork Ribs (To Briki), and Pork Steak (Metropolis Str.)

The beaches did not disappoint as well. Being born out of volcanic activity, Santorini is blessed with beaches that have stunning views and clear waters. I’ve never been happier doing beach hopping, even if I had to take a treacherous path just to get to one of the popular ones called Red Beach. You know, you have to take this very narrow and steep trail with sharp edged rocks and boulders, where some slight miscalculations will easily scrape that beautiful tanned skin. Then you have to negotiate for space in the foot traffic between people going down and up the trail. Though I didn’t overhear anyone saying “is there like an elevator or something?” (Part 1 of this article) but how I wish there was an easier way to get to the beach. The boat that I took for the sea cruise does not pick up or offload passengers on the beach, so the only way to get there is to take this dangerous path. I almost gave up mid way, but I’m just glad I didn’t. If only for the stunning views, I would recommend it for a visit, but just be careful going down and up the trail.

Imagine climbing down to reach the beach and up again to the main road (Red Beach)

So I ended my Greek adventure on a high note, where Santorini was definitely the highlight of the trip. As I mentioned in the first part of this article, there were hiccups and misfortunes along the way, but what is an adventure without the unexpected, the twist and turns, the danger, and most importantly the lessons learned. As I contemplate on my flight back to Athens to take my onward flight to Istanbul, I smiled knowing that I had a good one inspite of. As I’ve quoted in my earlier article (The Joys of Travelling Solo), I would come out a different person from each trip and now I’m a better version of myself than I was before I embarked on this trip. Like in the Greek mythology, I have fought some battles and personal demons along the way (where you would tend to question yourself and create self doubt) of which I have won and restored my core, appreciated the goodness of Mediterranean food, and enjoyed the beach life just how it should be lived.

Life’s a beach. From top left clockwise: Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, Platys Gialos Beach, & Super Paradise Beach (Hey Sports Illustrated, why don’t you consider these locations for next year’s swimsuit edition with Kelsey Merritt on the cover?)

#ihaveflaws

Health & Positivity Buzz

The serenity of one of my favorite locations (Lake Wakatipu)

Most of you know that this is mainly a travel blog but from time to time, I’d like to bring to the forefront some health conditions (particularly my health conditions) that are rarely being talked about and still can be taken in the context of travel. From my previous posts, you may think that the reason why I fly business particularly for long haul flights is just to be a stylish jetsetter. I never see myself as one, nor have any inclination of becoming one. I travel business because I have slipped disk (or also known as herniated disk or pinch nerve). I learned about my condition almost 8 years ago when I felt this immense pain on my back that made walking very difficult. After undergoing MRI, that’s when I learned more about this degenerative disease. It’s a debilitating condition where the disk in between your spinal cord is out of place or protruding, hence irritating the nerves around it causing tremendous pain on the back. Mine is not only protruding, but also desiccated disk, so it’s double whammy for me.

I am legally incapacitated, a person with disability (PWD). I am trying to bring awareness to this health condition coz sometimes people think that just because I’m not on a wheelchair means that I’m in good condition. There’s this big news last month where a celebrity posted something like a kid cutting the line in Shake Shack (it was just recently opened in Manila, so you know what’s all the fuss about this popular NY hamburger and shake chain) and holding apparently a ‘fake’ PWD card. He was eventually educated about the different types of disability after he was called out by the PWD Philippines organization.

On that note, people who have this condition could probably now understand why flying business makes sense. If you’re sitting in a 16-18 hour flight, that will put undue pressure on your back and may trigger excruciating pain that only sufferers of this condition could understand. So as a preventive measure (rather than suffer and ruin the whole holiday where you have already put so much planning and effort), business class seat offers a flat bed where you can lie down and rest your back. Of course, you have to pay a premium for the seat, but if you have read my previous post, you can actually find good buys for business class seats. What’s paying a few hundred dollars more if it will give you the appropriate comfort that your body requires given this health condition.

Pain triggers differ among sufferers of this condition. In my case, it’s either prolonged sitting or going down several flights of stairs. Just recently, due to the earthquake in Manila last April, I wasn’t able to go to work for 2 days cause I could hardly walk after taking 42 flights of stairs in the building where I work when we were asked to evacuate. I would normally avoid fire/earthquake drills but this one is for real so I have to go down knowing that I would have to bear the pain that comes after. Don’t get me wrong, I could climb mountains and hills, I could pull my luggages from the belt and carry those as well, but just don’t make me do stairs, particularly on the way down. The impact of going up several flights of stairs is on the thighs and legs while the pressure is not only on the thighs and legs but more on the back on the way down as it absorbs the impact.

Another health condition that I would like to share is palmar hyperhidrosis, also known as clammy hands. This is the excessive, uncontrollable sweating of the hands and palms. As the International Hyperhidrosis Society aptly describes it, “This medical condition is extremely stressful, embarrassing, and confidence-wrecking problem that can negatively impact your social life, education, and career.” Talk about being stressed because of clammy hands and getting clammy hands because of stress. Again, double whammy for me.

How does this impact my travel life? It does, in this age of biometrics. You know, you go to the consulate for a visa and one of the requirements is to have your biometrics taken. If my fingers get clammy, they would wet the biometrics reader where the same can hardly capture my prints. So how many times I’ve been in this embarrassing situation. Just imagine this scenario where the consulate staff will offer you tissue to wipe both your fingers and the reader dry and let you rub alcohol in an attempt to cool your hands off to stop it from sweating. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s an uncontrollable condition.

In some countries’ passport control, they would also require you to put your fingers on the biometrics reader. I remember on my London trip with my sister and brother in law where they would have to wait for me coz I’m stuck in front of the immigration officer coz the reader can’t capture my prints. The immigration officer gave up and just let me thru anyway when the queue has already built up because of me. People who suffers from this condition would understand the embarrassing situations we have to go thru not only when we travel but everyday of our lives.

The last one I want to share is pretty uncommon because no one exactly knows what it is and common because not a few suffer from it. It’s called keratosis pilaris. It’s a skin condition that resembles chicken skin. Rather than smooth and fine, people who have this type of skin have bumps similar to those you see when you dress a chicken. It normally appears on the upper arms and thighs. When you scratch it, it normally leaves blemishes that can result to something that looks like dark spots or pigments.

As a kid, my best friend would normally tease me of having chicken skin. He actually was not aware that it is actually called one, but as a young kid, he was already smart enough to observe that it really looks like chicken skin but young enough to know that you don’t tease or bully people having that type of skin. One of the most common misconceptions is that it’s a skin disease when actually it’s not. Even I was misled into believing that it is a disease. My first consult with a dermatologist didn’t really give me an explanation why my skin looks like that. I only got prescription creams hoping that it’s gonna get cured. It was only later in life when I again went to see a different dermatologist who explained to me that it’s not a skin disease. Since it’s not a disease, then there is no cure or the need to be cured from it. It’s just one of those types of skin such as oily or dry. Mine is just bumpy. As the dermatologist convincingly puts it, I’m just different.

Yes, we are different in our own ways, in our own flaws. I am now embracing my flaws that make me unique and different. I don’t let these flaws impede or hamper by life goals. I don’t let slipped disk dissuade me from going on an adventure, afraid that it may break my back. I don’t let clammy hands prevent me from travelling, knowing and anticipating fully well the stress and embarrassment that I’ll have to go thru. I don’t let my skin type discourage me from enjoying the sun, sea, and sand in my swimwear, exposing my skin like it’s nobody’s business. Over the years, I have learned not letting these flaws stop me from doing what I want. I continue to conquer these flaws as much as I have conquered my fears. I continue to rock life in spite of.

Hey, it’s me

Hello. Welcome to my blog.

This is a lifestyle page dedicated to sharing stories and experiences. Subjects may be varied, but mostly focused on travel, food, dining, health, and everything positive!

So let me tell you about myself first. When it comes to social media, I’ve been living in a cave for years and woke up this morning with an idea of coming up with a blog to share my vast experiences and stories on various subjects particularly those above. Why? Because I’ve been actually doing it with friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, usually as a topic of conversation and to some degree proved to be helpful and valuable tips. So why not create a blog for wider reach!

Modesty aside, I have traveled to 27 countries with more than 70 cities/places in 5 continents (as of this writing). I have dropped some reviews in Tripadvisor highlighting the best and the worst (the latter is more on constructive criticism). Unlike some people, I don’t travel for Instagram purposes (though I do not see anything wrong with that) coz I don’t have any social media account before this and now even contemplating to open one. I travel to overwhelm my senses, to discover and to explore, to savor and experience so that at the end of the day, I’ll come out a different, better person with a story to tell.

So yes, travel is my passion. Along with travel comes food, dining, and health. That’s where the name Columbus Bee comes from. Columbus from Christopher Columbus, popularly known to have proved that the world is not flat. The Bee is someone who fictionally followed him in his expeditions while literally feeding from flower to flower to create food with health benefits. That pretty sums up what this blog is all about.

So in time, I’ll be filling up this page with more stories and experiences and hopefully will resonate with more people who share the same interests and have similar stories and experiences to tell. Positivity is the theme so let’s keep it classy guys.