Samos Diary: Finale

So here is my last post in Samos Diary series. Honestly I was too tired and relaxed to take pictures on the last day, so I give you some of the photos from Easter Sunday. Apparently as usual on this day, the city streets were deserted - as all residents were having festive barbecues with families and friends, which usually involve roasting a whole goat and other meats. We also followed the example of the locals and spent the afternoon on the sunlit terrace of my man's childhood friend's house on the mountain with him and his family, and ... the goat. I will leave out the picture of the actual animal (too scary), and instead offer you some highlights of the party which include me, posing in the cap that actually belongs to the master of the house, an improvised karaoke performance and a cat which appeared from somewhere, surely drawn by the smell of meat. Even though I like most cats, what I adore about this one is that he looks so unlike all the sweet furry creatures we're used to seeing - he's a proper "jungle" hunter, a real Bandit!

Samos Diary: Days 6-7

The most interesting moments of my Friday and Saturday in Samos were the EASTER celebrations (Easter is as important here as Christmas or even more!). They started on Friday night with a number of crowded processions carrying so-called "epitafios" - the cloths depicting the body of Jesus placed in festively decorated constructions called Kouvouklion. On Saturday, just before midnight, locals gathered in front of Churches for Easter service which was accompanied by multiple petard explosions (!!!) - the tradition I find seriously strange.

Unfortunately all this curious events took place outdoors after sunset and my poor camera failed to capture the moment in good quality. So instead I give you a set of pictures that could be dubbed "Samos Days and Nights" since they capture our "routine" on a regular day on the island: first a mass gathering at the central cafe at the square, a very late breakfast/lunch with Greek meze (appetizers), Ouzo with ice and one of my local favorites - grilled octopus, and, finally, a night out at our favorite club - appropriately called ESCAPE. To set the mood I've also enclosed a song which, in a way, serves as club anthem.

Samos Diary: Days 4-5

Sorry for no updates for several days - I'm on holidays after all so, as you can imagine, there is not always time to sit around and blog away. Besides, Easter is coming up and celebrations have already began (and Easter is seriously BIG here in Greece) so there are plenty of things to see and places to be. The last couple of days involved lots of slowly gorging on SAMOS food and alcohol in different tavernas in town, but we've also taken a walk up the mountain path, where a friend of ours likes to walk his lively dog. From the path opened a great view of breathtaking Samos' landscape with its combination of lush greenery, forests, mountains and clear blue sea as well as the view of Vathy bay (where we're currently staying) - Samos' capital and main port.

OUTFIT:

1. Leather jacket, jeans: ZARA TRF

2. Blazer: STRADIVARIUS

3. Bag: VINTAGE

Samos Diary: Day 3

Despite high expectations, the weather in SAMOS hadn't improved much on Tuesday - on the contrary it became slightly colder. As result we didn't spend much time outside. Instead we drank Frappe (Greek cold coffee made of instant coffee whipped with sugar and mixed with water and ice), visited local football club (co-managed by a friend of ours) and spent several hours hanging out at a cafe where we first lunched and later had evening drinks with friends...

OUTFIT:

1. Leather jacket: ZARA TRF

2. T-shirt and denim shirt: PULL&BEAR

3. Jeans: Stradivarius

Samos Diary: Day 2

Our Monday in SAMOS started with a traditionally late coffee drinking at our favorite cafe, followed by a short ride to a quiet and deserted spot by the sea, and then - by a very enjoyable meal at a taverna on the Samos seafront. The late lunch featured lots of Ouzo (traditional Greek anise-based alcohol drink, served with ice and cold water) - hence some of the crazier pics you may see below :)

Road Trip to the Coast!

So excited to be going on a road trip this weekend to visit my family on the coast.  I am looking forward to seeing some lovely blues and greens and plenty of relaxing water.  And beautiful horizons where sea and sky meet.  Much like this fabulous dining room scene below.  

via houseofturquois.com

I love everything about this room.  The furniture, the colors, the wall scene but especially the chandelier!! 

I hear we are forecast abundant sunshine.  yippie!  

What fun thing do you have planned this weekend?  Libby~
 

USS Ronald Reagan in Phuket

Almost 5,000 US Navy sailors arrived in Phuket on September 22 on board the enormous aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. With the USS Ronald Reagan comes the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville and the guided-missile destroyer USS Howard. This will be the largest contingent of US sailors to visit Phuket. Two of the crew members happen to be Thais!



3 US warships bringing thousands of sailors to take shore leave on the island is believed to benefit Phuket tourism, with an estimated 34 Million Baht cash flow each day. The ship is docked off Phuket until 27th September.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ninth ship of the class “Nimitz”. It is named in honor of former President Ronald Reagan, President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Further, USS Ronald Reagan was the first ship to be named for a living former president.