Windmills, Pistachios, Super Ferries, and Sunsets: From Athens to Mykonos
(historic windmills at Mykonos...no longer operational)
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles…”
-Isaiah 40:31
Some days begin before the sun rises—but end with your soul
lifted higher than you expected. Today was one of those days.
The wake-up call came early—4:45 a.m. at the Athens Avenue
Hotel. By 5:30, luggage lined the lobby, and we navigated a brief but efficient
breakfast window before our 5:50 departure. It was a quiet, half-awake kind of
morning—until a small but delightful discovery woke us up: nuts on the
breakfast buffet!
Throughout our journey, nuts had been noticeably
absent—until today. Walnuts, almonds, and pistachios made their long-awaited
debut. Pistachios, in particular, are one of Greece’s most beloved crops, and
somehow their appearance felt like a small gift—proof that even the simplest
things can bring unexpected joy.
As Isaiah reminds us, renewal often comes in
surprising ways.
After breakfast, we boarded the bus and headed to the port,
where an impressive Super Ferry awaited us. Nearly the size of a cruise ship,
the vessel featured five to six levels, complete with cafés, lounges, and gift
shops. What began as a “Plan B” quickly began to feel like its own unique
adventure.
Originally, we were scheduled to sail on a Celestyal Cruise, but due to the ship being stranded in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing conflict, those plans changed. And yet, as is often the case, what felt like a detour became a meaningful part of the journey.
John Lennon aptly said, "Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
The five-hour ferry ride from Athens to Mykonos
included stops at the islands of Andros and Tinos. Along the way, many of us
found moments of rest, reflection, and conversation, and even a three-hour game
of Phase Ten, as the Aegean Sea stretched endlessly around us.
There is something about being on the water that quiets the
soul. Perhaps that’s why the psalmist wrote, “He stilled the storm to a
whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:29)
When we arrived in Mykonos, two shuttle buses transported
us to the beautiful Semeli Hotel, a boutique retreat overlooking the seaside
city. With its well-appointed rooms, heated pool, jacuzzi, and spa, it felt
like both a reward and a refuge after an early start.
On the way to dinner, Emily took those who wanted to go on a walking tour of the portside village. We arrived just in time to see a spectacular sunset.
A short time later, we gathered for a delicious Greek dinner along the waterfront at the Mykonos Promenade. The sea breeze, the sound of the waves, and the glow of the harbor created a setting that was awe-inspiring.
(walking the streets of Mykonos)
And for Amanda and me, Mykonos always carries a deeper, more personal connection.
Each time we visit, we think of our dear friends Nick and
Tina, who owned Roma’s on the square in Jacksonville, Alabama. During our
college years, Roma’s was more than a restaurant—it was a place of friendship,
laughter, and belonging. Tina, originally from Mykonos, often spoke of her home
island with pride and affection. When we first visited here in 2012, we took
photos to share with her—a small way of connecting her past with our present
Standing here again, those memories feel as vivid as ever.
We’ll spend two nights in Mykonos, soaking in both its
beauty and its rhythms. Then on Wednesday, we’ll board another ferry to Santorini
for a one-night stay before flying back to Athens to continue our journey.
Today reminded us that even when plans change, purpose remains. God often meets us not just in the destinations we expect—but in the detours we didn’t plan.
From windmills to pistachios, from Super Ferries to seaside
reflections, today was a reminder that the journey itself is part of the
blessing.
And sometimes, Plan B turns out to be just what we needed all along.
(view from our hotel room at night)
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