POSTCARD FROM...Spetses, Greece
Josh Hickey of Hydra Book Club drops us a line from the annual Classic Yacht Regatta
HELLO FROM…
The Poseidonion Grand Hotel, the most elegant and historic hotel on the island. It opened in 1914 and is not only a cosmopolitan hub of the island, it is a real landmark as it sits on Bouboulina Square overlooking the sea.
THE BEST MEAL I HAD…
It’s a tie. I had an epic lunch at NTA, Nero tis Agapis or “Water of Love.” This restaurant sits overlooking the sea and across to the Peloponnese. I would recommend ouzo on ice, the ceviche and tartare, and the linguine alle vongole with lime.
This is tied with To Pachni, a simple and charming taverna a 15-minute moped ride inland from Dapia (port and town). I had the most incredible grilled lamb chops, possibly the best I’ve ever had.
MOST FUN THING I DID…
I was there during the Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta, the largest of its kind (see beautiful wooden elegant sailing vessels) organized by the Yacht Club of Greece. Four days of racing, parties and general festivity. The boats are incredible, the sailing is world class, and the sailing crews and their friends are fun and the drinks flow! I did a special book sale for Hydra Book Club with literature from Spetses, Hydra and the region, and some awesome rare sailing books.
THE BOOK I READ (AND WOULD RECOMMEND)…
The Magus! The 1966 novel by John Fowles set on the island of “Phraxos” is in fact Spetses. He wrote this story about an English professor who come to Spetses to teach at a private boys’ school and falls prey to a master manipulator and his twisted mind games. As you read and visit the island, you’ll recognize the house, the school, the beach…dark, dangerous, and enthralling—a great summer read on and off Spetses.
A THING OR TWO I LEARNED…
I learned (the hard way) that you really need to recharge an electric moped overnight before attempting to drive to a remote beach. I also learned a lot about Bouboulina, the great Greek revolutionary heroine, naval commander, and symbol of Greek Independence and strength of character. You can visit her house and have a guided tour by one of her direct descendants who run the museum and do much to preserve the history of the island.
THE BEST THING I’M BRINGING HOME
A fantastic new sustainable Musto cap (with a clip so it won’t blow away if I’m out sailing) from my friends at Perga, who had a pop-up during the Regatta,
And lots of information and new ideas of how to participate in the conservation and environmental protection actions happening in Spetses and the Argo Saronic region from the Community Trust Spetses and the Argolic Environmental Foundation.