Jet lag is a funny thing. You’d think after an exhausting first day, we’d wake up bright and early, ready to conquer the city. But no. Day 2 of our Scottish adventure started at a leisurely 10 AM, because our bodies refused to acknowledge local time. But when we finally stepped out, what a sight! The golden sun was beaming down, the sky was an uninterrupted stretch of blue—no clouds, no drizzle, no reminders that we were in Scotland....
Long flight, crying babies, and existential questions about why I ever leave my house. That’s all I remember from our sojourn from SFO to DUB. The flight itself was, shockingly, not too bad—decent legroom, food that didn’t taste like cardboard, and wine that was just about drinkable. Usually, we play it safe and order the “special” Hindu Vegetarian meal, but this time, we threw caution to the wind and took whatever the airline gods bestowed upon us....
All good things must come to an end, and so it is with our whirlwind Greek vacation. From island hopping to beach lounging, from devouring gyros to navigating through caves, we’ve truly lived a thousand lives in these few days. Figure 1: Smoothies and Capuccino’s at Usu Rum! Our last day kicked off at Usu Rum, where we indulged in cappuccinos, berry smoothies, and a hearty spinach omelet. The ambiance was as delightful as the breakfast—setting a high bar for our return to cereal at home....
Morning broke in Athens, and we bolted from our matchbox-sized room in search of familiar American comforts of Starbucks. Nothing says ‘good morning’ like a Grand Cappuccino and a Fredo Cappuccino to kickstart the heart. Figure 1: Kickstarting the day at Starbucks, Syntagma Square, Athens The day’s dilemma: a Rick Steves-inspired city walk or an exploration of the Ancient Agora? Given the early hour and our caffeine superpowers, we opted for the latter, Sorry Rick!...
Milos, though smaller and less flashy than Paros, packs a tremendous heart and an even larger soul. Our day kicked off with a rush, as we had a boat tour on the calendar. We snagged our morning fix—Fredo Cappuccinos and Hot Cappuccinos at Egoist—and hustled to meet Volcanic Boat Adventures. Our guide, Mana, a charming French girl, welcomed us aboard a modest boat, which left me quietly wondering if my Dramamine would stand up to the challenge....
I had so many dreams, and woke up at 8:10a. I was happy, and then realized that in 3 days I will be back to the States, and will again be in jetlag. Figure 1: Yogurt, honey, and bowl full of fruits! No more sprawling breakfast feasts for us. Instead, we hit up Milors, and ordered our morning fix: two cappuccinos, a frappe, vegan sandwiches, and fruit and yogurt bowls that were both delightful and filling, like a hug for your stomach....
Just when you think you’ve mapped out all the surprises Paros has to offer, the island winks and tosses a few more gems your way. Really, how different can another beach or town be? Spoiler: quite a bit. The day kicked off at 6:12 AM, thanks to some chirping birds and our white noise machine dueling it out. Vanya wasn’t feeling her best, so Nidhi and I ventured to the breakfast buffet alone, where scrambled eggs, olives, cherry tomatoes, and an array of local delicacies awaited....
Our second day in Paros arrived, loaded with promise, a mix of jitters, high hopes, and the kind of excitement that makes you check your pulse. Today was the day for our maiden voyage into the mesmerizing Mediterranean with Captain Ben’s Sailing Tour. Ahoy! Figure 1: Breakfast for Kings, Hotel Arganauta After a glorious night’s sleep (yes, 5:22 AM is the new 8 AM in my book), we faced a breakfast spread that could rival a royal banquet....
Vacations, much like dessert, always seem to end just when you’re getting to the good part. It’s our third night, and we’re gearing up to say goodbye to the sizzling island beauty, Santorini. Parting is a bittersweet symphony of sorrow and joy—like finding out your favorite seasonal latte is back, but only for a limited time. The memories? Oh, they’re cherished like that one perfect photo where nobody is blinking and everyone is smiling....
Ah, the magical third day of a vacation, the time in a relationship with a travel destination when you start to either deeply fall in love or eye your return ticket. Thankfully, we’re still smitten with Santorini! My sore thigh muscles sang songs of the many mountains (or at least, steep inclines) we conquered on our way to Oia. Who knew a hike could provide such an excellent workout? Finally, we managed a good night’s sleep, waking up at the ungodly hour of 4:40 AM, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed....