Unfortunately, memories are still more pleasant than reality. This year, which I entered with high hopes, shows no signs, for me, of being any better than previous years. Something is happening, after this seemingly endless pandemic, and, at least for me, nothing good looks like it will continue.
In such moments, in order to forget the present, I turn to the past, to the most pleasant memories. For me, the best memories are holiday memories and the best holidays have always been seaside holidays.
The best beach holiday experience I had was in Greece, on the island of Thassos. For me, the ultimate beauty at sea is in Greece and because I have only been to Thassos island, that's all I can relate to.
I have been to Limenaria, the second largest town on Thassos, there they call it a village but in my opinion, it is a small town. My first holiday there was in 2017 and I liked it so much that I decided to go there every year, as long as I can travel. Beyond the beauty of the place, the atmosphere that I liked, the fact that I found what I now expect from the sea were also our hosts with whom we became very close friends.
We managed to go back there in 2018 and 2019 and that was it. The pandemic stopped us from going to Thassos again.
The memories, aided by the hundreds of photos we have taken over the three years, make us forget the not-so-good present and fuel our hope that next summer we will finally get to Greece.
Now I don't want to highlight the natural beauties of the island. For that, other travel posts will follow.
Right now I'm going to talk about food!
Every time I visit a new place, a new region, or a new country, especially a new country, I am most curious and eager to know the local food.
Being Greece, all the more so. Before arriving on the island I tried to find out how and where the best food was and everyone I asked said... taverna! So I started looking for tavernas. They were many and hard to choose.
When we got to our hosts I thought I'd ask and ask for a recommendation. A place where they used to eat when they decided not to eat at home. They recommended that I go in the evening to a street near the hotel and that there I would find what I was looking for. They didn't tell me more, they just said it was a surprise.
I didn't have the patience to wait for the evening, so I immediately went to that street.
All the taverns and terraces were located on the waterfront and on the busiest streets.
When we arrived at the place recommended by our hosts we found a side street far from the sea. I figured I would find a famous and hidden restaurant. It was not so.
Instead of the restaurant, we found only some tables and chairs placed on either side of the street. Nothing else.
I left somewhat disappointed but also curious because I trusted our hosts. We returned in the evening... The "scenery" changed a little, I noticed that the tables were ready.
This was the start of a very enjoyable evening! In a very short time, all the tables were occupied.
That's when I found out what was going on there. A family had designed such a tavern, i.e. their kitchen and the street. The simplest and most ordinary food, as they usually eat, cooked by the women of the family. I mean mother, daughters, daughters-in-law.
This is what the menu looks like.
Simple dishes, salads, fish and seafood, meat. Tasty, fresh, and cheap food. Cheap because they've eliminated a lot of the costs that restaurants have.
Toasted bread on the grill on which they put extra virgin olive oil, made from olives from their orchard. Grilled fish, fried with olive oil and lemon and wine!
Mediterranean food. A joy for all customers. We met them every evening. Anyone who has eaten here never wants to go anywhere else. Become a permanent customer.
I was delighted with the place I found to eat. Looking forward to the evening. Not only me...
Food was plentiful for everyone. More than the food was the totally special atmosphere that I haven't found anywhere else. We all felt a bit Greek, that's why we went there. We also learned, cooked some dishes at home, and applied the same methods: grilling, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and wine!
In the end, I have to put a flower. Also from the island.
Thanks to the one who opened the way to Thassos for me, my son Alex who is 40 years old today!Happy birthday! He gave me the gift of the 2017 holiday.
@dswigle