Moussaka

The morning in Agia Roumeli was beautiful, but at this point in the trip, it would be strange if a place wasn't.  After breakfast, we walked to the pier where we boarded a ferry boat.  That took us to Loutro, where we will be sleeping for two nights in a row.

We walked around and checked the place out for a little bit, but that was a quick process.  It's such a small place that I didn't see motorized vehicles.  Everything was pushed up against the coast, and there was one little walking path in front of it all. 

We put our luggage down and went to lunch with our group.  I had swordfish souvlaki, certainly a new one on me.  It was amazing. 

From there, we had just a few moments to get ready for a trip in a small boat to a small place just up the coastline. All sixteen of us were learning how to make a traditional Greek moussaka from scratch.  It was a bit crowded in the kitchen and I didn't stick around long, but we had a good time.  Here is Cas frying up some eggplant with me. 

We made the meal in shifts, so the only thing I really figured out how to do was prepare the eggplant.  If you want to know about the meat, the potatoes or the béchamel cheese on top, you're on your own.  

While that was cooking, a few of us went for a walk along the beach.  Again, it was a rocky beach, but it was a really pretty walk.  Besides, I am getting pretty good at walking on rocks.  

When it was time to eat, it became a multi-hour endeavor.  Greeks start their meals late in the day by American standards, and thy don't end them with any deft speed.  We sat for dinner at the super early time of 7:30 and got back to our hotel after midnight.  

On the way back, we were on a small boat again.  While we traveled on the sea at a safe pace (considering the boat was at capacity with half of the tour group), we looked up.  I don't know if I have ever seen that many stars.  I have been to some beautiful places and some remote places.  I have been to Alice Springs, Australia in the middle of nowhere.  I have looked skyward from Hawaii.  I have never seen so many stars in the sky all at once.  We had a clear view of the Milky Way, the likes of which I have only seen in a planetarium show.  It was breathtaking.  

I am pretty tired, but I wanted to close with the image we saw as we got back to the place where our hotel is.  This is Loutro: 

I know, right?  Anyhow, good night, everybody.