Tag Archives: beach

  • Pleasure Principle!

    July 19, 2012

    3 Comments

    Hvar, Croatia…I may have found Nirvana! A gorgeous Mediterranean town surrounded by crystal clear Adriatic waters. Boats, water taxis, and yachts line the harbor and the cobblestone passageways are littered with beautiful young people vacationing from Sweden, Norway, Holland and beyond…gorgeous friendly blondes tanned by the hot sun, all hanging out on boats and rocky beaches looking to have the time of their lives! I see a sailboat rocking to the music as these model-esque beauties line the deck in the latest beach wear! This place exudes the jet set lifestyle of the Cote d’Azure or Capri but at real people prices.

    The entire area is filled with archipelagos with amazing swimming spots…mostly rocky surfaced but yet picturesque. Small speedboats are easy to rent for the day for under $100 to take you from cove to cove for an afternoon of swimming or simple taxi boats offer their services every 20 minutes.

    I found a beautiful St. Tropez style beach club within walking distance to town called “Bonj les Bains”… Stunning is the only word to describe this cabana laden club built into the hillside. The chicest platforms are suspended over the clear water outfitted with shaded lounging beds and bottles of champagne resting in buckets of ice!

    Relaxing here, I can see the coves in the distance full of yachts and boats with swimmers enjoying the Adriatic! I am asking myself, Why haven’t I come here before?

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  • I can’t live without…

    July 17, 2012

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    Parga,Greece…looks like a Greek Island but it’s on the mainland along a lovely stretch of the Ionian Sea. After a rocky night sailing through some crazy seas, we arrived.

    Today was low key…sailing the coast and then a wander round town. I won’t focus on my continuous bragging about the beautiful water as I think it’s clear how amazing Greece’s beaches & seas are by now!

    Yesterday my own stupidity took center stage, today the stupid souvenirs being sold allover town really took it’s toll…what is this crap? Who buys it? Why was it made? What does it have to do with Greece?

    I saw a crazy amount of phallic symbols, silly tees with dumb sayings on them, and more magnets than any refrigerator should ever hold! Is a penis bottle opener, a Parga Raggedy Ann doll, or a carved wood dog’s head shoe horn a necessary take away from my Greek holiday? Are these gifts I can’t live without? I don’t think so, but if anyone wants one I am happy to do my part reviving Greece’s economy buying them!

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  • Dumb, Dumb, & Dumber!

    July 16, 2012

    2 Comments

    Katakolon, Greece…I woke up this morning to the town of Katakolon, the gateway to Olympia. As much as it may be interesting to see the original home of the Olympic games, I decided to invest my time at a day swimming in the crystalline Greek water.

    I strolled through town at first and was amazed by the silly stuff that is being hawked to tourists…ugly leather sandals, bad linen wear, and Greek “evil eyes” made into every imaginable charm, and that’s only a few of the atrocities I saw!

    My striving to have “out of the box” experiences has begun to compromise my sanity…I made a series of silly choices today; I rented a 4 wheel ATV (more on that later), forgot to pick up a towel on the ship before disembarking, and left my beach shoes behind. The latter two were not the biggest deal, but the first was totally STUPID!

    I knew I wanted to go to the beach, Agios Andreas, which is little over 2 km from town…how to get there? Bus (no way after my Athens experience), Taxi (seems so unadventurous), or rent a Motorbike (seems so cool).
    I stopped at the motorbike rental spot and the guy gives me a once over as I stood there in my Marc Jacobs shades and says “you sure you know how to drive a motorbike?” Hmmm…I guess not!
    The rejection and doubt drives me to rent a 4 wheel ATV! This decision is as bright as a burnt out lightbulb! Me, driving a bike with a clutch? I barely can work an automatic vehicle! Well, looking like the Great Gazoo from the Flintstones in my helmut, I take off for the quick ten minute ride to the beach. I get out of town and on the first hill, it stalls! I call the store and they come to my rescue…I flooded the engine and drove in the wrong gear! Well I continue to do this and stall 3 more times, but at least I make it there and back in one piece…a few tantrums, but no injuries!

    The water was amazing, but it was a rocky pebbled beach that woulda been much easier if I had my beach shoes. Regardless, it was a great day with a large dose of dumb thrown in to make the memory that much more interesting!

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  • Going Au Naturale!

    July 11, 2012

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    I am still getting on Spanish time..dinner is late, cocktails even later, and dancing until silly o’clock!
    They even serve breakfast in the hotel until 12 noon…today I ate breakfast just in time at almost noon, still a bit groggy.

    After dancing under the stars at an outdoor beach party, I made my exit at almost 5 am and it seemed the party was just starting to get going! Phew…I must be showing my age, this is hard… I guess there isn’t any need for “after-hours” clubs here as that would just mean brunch!

    Well continuing on my comfort zone destruction, today I am off to Balmins beach…called Sitges prettiest beach and also it’s Nude beach! What’s the point? At other beaches women are topless and men wear the tiniest, leave nothing to the imagination, barely speedos!

    The walk is lovely along the water past the main church and San Sebastian beach, then you will see the Melia hotel in distance and eureka! A 10 minute walk in all from town…

    Its a lovely beach set amongst craggy rocks, calm water and no vendors pushing drinks, massages, etc…Unfortunately, there were few loungers & umbrellas available which limited my stay! These bits have never seen the sun, so I had to say “been there, done that” and move on…I didn’t really unleash some inner naturalist or exhibitionist, but I did as the locals and added to my growing list of “experiences”!

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  • Going for the Bronze!

    July 9, 2012

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    Sitges, Spain…An easy 30 minute train ride from Barcelona, I have reached an oasis! This sleepy town by day turns into a party spot by night. The afternoon is spent either lounging at a cafe or catching some rays along the long beach, as the siesta is a long 1:30-4:30 and no stores are open!

    I am enjoying a lazy day seaside trying to work on my tan and get some relaxing in. The beach has a plethora of loungers and umbrellas for rent, thankfully…I am feeling a bit self conscious as the men are all bronze, fit, and swarthy in their speedos. Well, a guy can only dream…and I guess I better cut down on those tasty croquettes and fried artichokes! Luckily, the beach has a beautiful wide boardwalk for me to get alot of walking in, if I can’t have the six-pack, at least I can have the calves!

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