Transition Day.

First, a note about our guests departure and the added complication of Covid testing for re-entry into the United States. We have acquired remote, rapid test kits from eMed for our guests for this purpose. The traveler signs on with a live representative who guides you through the testing process. Then a 15 minute wait during which time the test kit is always in view of the representative, followed by a rapid result. Almost immediately comes the delivery of digital documents which are uploadable to the airline. I’m so happy to report that the testing for our week one guests went very smoothly on Friday night, and the three flying today (Sunday) are checked in and on their way home. The other two will test on their own in Athens to insure the proper 72 hour window prior to departure. It’s so good to be able to offer our guests this convenience in a time when travel has more hoops to jump through. But if you take a look at last week’s blog, I think you’ll see the reward is well worth the effort.

You might think the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning between when our week 1 guests leave and our week 2 guests arrive is time off for me and my crew. In fact, it is a busy day full of things that need to be done and timed well, many of which are out of our control. The yacht charter company cleans the boat which means we’ve got to move our gear around, and Lulu and Richie reprovision our stocks and everything must be schlepped on board, around the cleaners who don’t usually arrive anywhere close to when they say they will. No judgments, but it’s tricky to time everything so we don’t re-trash and re-clean the boat more than once. Or twice.

There are usually one or two things that need fixing from wear and tear over the week, and Richie and I often become general contractors trying to track down and coordinate the appropriate repair guys or parts. 

Here in Skiathos, dock space is at a premium, which means lucking into a great temporary spot, then being instructed to move the yacht to somewhere less ideal, usually while we are in the middle of something else. For example, I’m just returning to this blog for the third time. Once to take a call from Yannis the charter company manager, once to sign contracts for the upcoming week, and a third  time after manning my station on the stern for another yacht move. All of this is a part of running super trips on yachts, and we know to expect the unexpected and remain highly flexible on turnover day. None of this would be possible without the amazing crew we have. Lulu and Richie are seasoned pros, and they have expertly trained Simon and I to be as useful to them on deck  as possible. I am so grateful for the boating skills they have taught me, and I love putting them to use. Doing so also gives me even more appreciation for how hard they work to make our trips so safe and successful.

I'm sure there’s something else we do that I’ve forgotten. Oh yes, the laundry. There’s more but it’s a blur this morning.

All of that said, we manage to have fun, combat eat well, and find moments here and there to lie down and cool off. It’s a special, bonding time for the 4 of us. That translates to an even better experience for our guests.

Richie found his sweatshirt on our walk into town for dinner. I gave Lulu a whistle. This was probably a mistake. Richie tries on the hat that Miriam left for us. And Simon found the coolest spot on the boat this morning after we all sweated through a hectic boat move. We do laugh a lot.

More combat eating, because, you know.

I better wrap this up - our new guests will be here in less than an hour and I’ve got more stuff to do!

I love this work, and I love the people I work with. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Back to the sea with us!

Love,

Heather