Today was the exclusive VIP Kos experience. We both showered and rushed for the coach. Somehow despite being up in time we arrived as the coach was pulling away, but we flagged it down and off we went for an amazing day of sight seeing and discovery. We learnt so much along the way and every second of the trip was a delightful adventure into the history of Kos and in fact Greece itself. This is how this blog should have gone. Now remember yesterday avid reader? Becky went to bed earlier than me didn’t she? I’m not the best on coaches at the best of times after mixing drinks and shots I can barley keep myself from falling out of bed let alone explore an island. Somehow I made it to Kos town and our tour guide pointed out Bodrum across the bay. She took us to the tree of Hippocrates. Which it turns out isn’t the actual tree of Hippocrates as that died many centuries ago. But this tree is a descendent of that tree. Fascinating. The shade and air was helping me feel slightly better but not much. Our guide went into much more detail about Kos and it’s castle and wars with Turkey and it’s Roman history too. For that level of detail you will need to read Becky’s blog.
Soon we had free time! We set off engagement ring shopping. In shop number 3 we found a winner. The shop is family run and they really looked after us. I went for a quick walk outside in search of inspiration and came back with a firm commitment that we weren’t leaving without a ring. We rejoined our party in the main square and we’re soon back on the coach to another ancient site of the ancient Greeks the Asclepion. We were given a history talk in the shade then allowed to wander round with an I pad for company that showed what the area would have looked like in its hay-day. Not feeling great and with the heat now very oppressive we strolled up the slope before descending the steps looking out towards Turkey. Our next venture was a wine tasting. I had been looking forward to this all week. The coach and I had fallen out though. Every time I got on board I had to lie down on the back seat. When I arrived at the wine tasting I wandered off from the main group for a moment in search of shade and a breeze. Not to be deterred though I took part in the tasting, that included some bread and cheese. It was a very nice setting and Becky grabbed us some small bottles to take home.
Our lunch today was to be had in the mountain village of Zia. At Olympia 2 we were sat next to an English couple and chatted to them about life and holidays while sharing a very enjoyable meal. Sole for me and chicken for Becky. We then wandered around the village picking up some souvenirs as well as great photos.
Next stop 40minutes away, enough said about that. We stopped off at a honey producers outside of Kefalos. This was interesting and again we got to sample their produce that is still made almost exactly how their grandparents made it many years ago.
Our final stop on the tour was the bay of Kefalos which Becky and I had visited yesterday. All in all the tour was great, I just wish that I hadn’t felt so awful throughout. I have never been happier to get off a coach in my life. I was straight into our pool for a cool down and a float which helped bring me round. We decided to eat in our restaurant and succeed in the early night we failed in 24hours before!