Montreal , Canada

Hi!
well we have made it part way home....we are in the airport in montreal. We flew the 10 hour flight only to get here with not enough time tio get through both Canadian and US customs. So, here we sit for four hours and then we get on another flight to Boston. Poor Devin will then get on a bus to Portland, Maine as he flies back to portland, Oregon tomorrow! Nevi and I will head to Cape Cod for a few days and then back to Portland. Just wanted to give you all an update and will post more later perhaps as we sit here!

Hot, Hot, Hot

Needless to say even though the week long heat spell broke today and Athens is not 115 degrees….after a long afternoon of walking both Nevi and Devin got naked and climbed up ON the air conditioner in our hotel room here in downtown Athens.
We are on our way to the airport in the morning for a long flight to Montreal and onto Boston. Oh how sad to say goodbye to our journey, but hopefully it has instilled enough energy and delight to last until our next family adventure out of the US.

History Lesson

A bit of history and a lot of curiosity.

Athens from the Acropolis

So crowded….

Wonder

Such a small girl wondering how in the world this place was built….” Mama, how did they build this place?”

Athens

We took a highspeed ferry from Mykonos back to Pireaus today. We arrived in Athens around 3 and went right up to the Acropolis. Here are a few views of the extraordinary history of a civilization past.

Sarah and Nevi waiting for Devin

Mother and daughter wait in the streets for Papa to finish taking pictures…he captured us in the evening light.

Sanctuary

The light in the evening in Greece is unreal. Here the sun goes down behind one of the billions of sanctuaries in Mykonos.

Famous Mykanos Windmills

We spent most of last evening walking around Mykonos town. As we stood by the ancient windmills with the sun going down it was the perfect photo op. What fun we have had together.

Our beautiful traveler has done an incredible job as an almost four year old in another country! What joy to witness her world broadening and growing beyond her life in the USA. She speaks a bit of Greek and her very own made up foreign language. She makes friends no matter if they speak the same language as she does. She loves all the attention and we adore her.

Big Love

Everywhere we go, Nevi attracts people to her. This morning the women came to bring fresh towels and stayed kissing, smooching and rattling of Greek saying how beautiful she is! We hope that she remembers this for her whole life…she has bloomed and grown for sure being in another culture with other languages and customs. May this be the first of many international family adventures for the Bailly family!

Mykonos

Yesterday we took a long ferry ride from Folegandros to Mykonos. We arrived in the evening. Here is the view from our hotel this morning. We have one day to explore here. We are desperately trying to get Nevi to eat…the heat makes her not so hungry and then we are off to town. Then a late afternoon enjoying this sea and on another ferry tomorrow to Athens. It has been a heat wave here…and we dread Athens. Let’s hope it breaks by tomorrow…you know it is hot when the locals are complaining!

Scooter Riding with Papa

Devin and Nevi took a scooter ride around the island of Folegandros one late afternoon while Mama stayed at the hotel and hand washed laundry(a necessity at this point of the trip)! Uncle Patrick was a sweet guy and found Nevi a PINK sparkle helmet!

Siblings

Erene, Heather and Devin together again. These three grew up together and remain simply siblings in every way! This picture is at the hotel in Folegandros that Erene and Chris, Sarah and David, Heather and Topher were staying. The pool was GREAT!

Essence

One day we took a boat ride to a beach which is only accessible by boat. Oh the water was clear and blue and luscious. This picture of Nevi represents our time well…relaxed, brown skin, water, and adventure.

Folegandros

This is the Hora center of the Island of Peace: Folegandros.
After almost a week on Santorini for the wedding we came here.
This island is wonderful, quaint and less touristy for sure.

Folegandros

This is the Hora center of the Island of Peace: Folegandros.
After almost a week on Santorini for the wedding we came here.
This island is wonderful, quaint and less touristy for sure.

Sunset over the Caldera

this was our last eveing in Santorini....we went to a small fishing village for a swim, cliff jumping, a sunset and a lovely dinner. Then we came to Folegandros...the island of peace and that is what is here. A small village with cobblestone paths and lots of sunshine. More on that later....

Sun Rocks

This is where the wedding took place...we all stood and celebrated Erene and Chris looking out on the caldera...the most magnificent view ever...gentle light, sunset, champagne and dear friends....a marriage filled with love.

Santorini: The wedding

Here is the flower girl all dressed and ready for the wedding to begin. The day glorious, the place magical...almost un real-

Rehersal Dinner last night

Heather making a toast last night for Erene and Chris. We had a lovley dinner for twenty. The food is spectacualr here...fava, eggplant, sweet tomoatos, bread, tzaziki, grilled meats, greek yogurt with honey....oh my.
Tonight at 7:30 is the wedding...so more pictures when we get to the next spot where we can get on the internet!
Happy Summer Solstice...and Happy wedding day to Erene and Chris!

Caldera

This was the view from the rehersal dinner resturant called Mama Thira in the Southern part of Santorini. Patrick and Rainen admiring the light and the magic.

Groom

Nevi on the Groom's shoulders during dinner. She is being loved up by all her uncles and aunties...she loves the attention and Devin and I so appreciate the break!

Wedding Party

We are all finally gathered to celebrate Erene and Chris's wedding which is actually tonight. We gathered here at our hotel for drinks and then a big dinner. There are about 20 of us who have flown from all over the world to be here....SF, Vietnam, Spain, Oregon...

Arion Bay Hotel, Kamari Beach

Nevi is in the pool non stop! Who could blame here in this beautiful place!

Santorini Island, Greece

After two days in Tinos we took two ferries to the island of Santorini. It is magnificent here. We have spent three days in Kamari Beach which is more touristy than we like, but still relaxing and fun.

fun with papa

We feel so lucky to have this trip as a family...no work, no schedule really and fun time to frolic together. Papa and Nevi in the watrer here and Mama lying in the sun! Yahoo!

Porto Bello, Tinos

Here is Nevi at our lovely apartment on Tinos called the Porto Bello. We were a tiny walk to the beach where we delighted in the sun, sea and amazing food!

We made it!

After a long journey we made it to Greece. We arrived in Athens, spent a few hours, transfered to the Rafina Port and took a ferry to the island of Tinos. This picture is the port in Tinos. Oh the freedom of travelling. We were relieved to get here!!!!

Caite and Ingrid

On our way down from Acadia to Cohasset, we were blessed with a lunch with our dear girls, Caite and Ingrid! They met us in Waterville, Maine for lunch at the Last Unicorn. Caite and Ingrid and Kelsey lived with us and around us two summers ago. We love them so much and it was pure delight to grab a bite and a hug! We love ya girls!

NYC

We are still in NYC. We did get reunited with our bags this morning.Devin is running around the airport with Nevi. I am sitting on the floor first in line for stand by on todays one flight to Athens....pray, hope, pray we get on. We will know right before the flight. Oh please let us wake up in Athens tomorrow!
More photos later from Greece!

Leaving Little Gott

Leaving this island always brings tears to my eyes. Until next time.

Little Gott family photo

Devin, Sarah, Nevi, Pheobe, PK, Phil and Emily
Thanks to you all for an amzing time~

Lumberman Devin

When on Gotts- everyone does a bit of work. Devin got to cut down two dead trees for firewood for next year. He had fun with the chainsaw!

Mother Daughter Island Girls

Nevi and I washed our hair in Peter's pool like I used to do when I was Nevi's age. Nothing like salt water hair washing!

PK and Phoebe

Reading with PK, snuggling with Phoebe and quiet contemplation by the sea. Nevi was showered in love by people, the sea and the chance to be an isalnd girl!

Lobstah anyone?

One of the greatest moments on Little Gott is having a lobster dinner on the rocks. PK went into the mainland and bought lobsters fresh from the sea that day...we keep them in a tidal pool called Peter's Pool before dinner. Peter's pool came to be because my great grandfather decided he needed a natural bathtub on the rocks. When the tide is high it fills and when the tide goes out water remains which warms by the sun. We had fun playing with our bug friends in the pool before dinner.

Little Gott Island, Maine

Then after the wedding weekend, we travelled to an island near Mount Dessert. This island has been in our family since my great grandfather, Peter Allen purchased it in 1929. It is now tended too with love and respect by my Uncle PK and Aunt Phoebe...and so many who have been changed simply by standing on the shore. As a young girl, I experienced this island many times and now as an older girl- the island girl in me comes alive the momet we leave the car on the mainland and head out to sea.

No electricity, well and rain water, a composting outhouse called The Clive, and views that are breath-taking in any kind of weather!

Family

We had so much fun being with my family. This is my cousin, Beth with her son, Gabe and Nevi the morning after the wedding. Such fun to all be together. Gabe is the most wonderful addition to our family. Not to mention beyond CUTE!

We started in Maine

Newagen Seaside Inn is in the Boothbay region of mid-coast Maine. My dear friends, Corinne and Scott Larson own this and other Inns in Boothbay. It is elegant and cozy New England at its best. We stayed here for the weekend of my cousin Phil's wedding. Devin and I had the chance to sit in these chairs and watch the red sun set over the sea. Ahhhh.

Traveling is not always easy

Oh I am sorry to say we are not on our way to Athens as we had expected....we are at a hotel in NYC. So Delta screwed us up. We flew from Boston to NYC and we supposed to have a 2 hour layover before flying on Olympic airline to Athens. But no...Delta was late to leave then we were re-routed so our 40 minute flight became a 1.25 minute flight. We got to Kennedy at about 4 and our flight left at 4:30. We RAN all three of us....and even though the palbe was still there they would not let us on....you have to be there an hour before or no go. We tried to get Delta to help....they felt nothing for us...no hotel nothing. Anyway we are on standby for tomorrow's flight even though they say it is full. We got a hotel near the airport so we could sleep until tomorrow and try again. Not a good way to start, but we hope we are on our way tomorrow and then the ease of vacation can begin!
A huge thank you to Jen for getting us to the airport today and taking such good care of us last night as we did laundry and re-packed.....we will get there!!!!
Wish us good travel vibes tomorrow.

Technical difficulties

Oh my- sorry we have not posted in awhile. We left for Maine on the 7th...and our laptop was working fine. The next day...not so much. So we have had a wonderful week in Maine and fly to Greece tomorrow. We now have a new laptop which hopefully will be our friend all the way along! Devin just downloaded pictures from Maine so stay tuned...we will posted again from Athens! Sending love- the Bailly family!

Nevi's last day at SunGarden for the summer

Because we leave tonight...this was Nevi's last day at school. Her class celebrated her birthday even though it is two months away. Every birthday celebration, Ann, Nevi's beloved teacher makes a flower crown. Nevi was so proud and danced all around the house. Today was Nevi's last day with Ann as she is not going to be teaching next year. We love you, Ann!

Day Before Take Off

Oh My...tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for...at 11pm PST we will take off for our Bailly family adventure. First stop NYC Kennedy airport then onto Portland Maine!Well, that is if I get finished with the finer details of lawn mowing, Nevi's last day of school for the year, two clients, the rest of the bags packed, food out of the fridge, and a pedicure! And we will be relieved when Devin submits his two newly designed parts and can walk away from Xerox feeling accomplished and FREE! He is still at work and it is 9pm...tonight will be a late one for him. Nevi is finally tucked in and asleep as her excitment for tomrorw and the cupcake she ate for her cousin, Xander's first birthday today was keeping her awake. By Friday mid day we will be smelling the salt air at the Newagen Seaside Inn near Boothbay Harbor, Maine. My friend, Corrine from my Outward Bound days owns this Inn and it is perfect New England. So that will be our next post most likely...until then...stay tuned...here we go!!!!!!!

Flower Girl Dress

Getting ready for the wedding in Greece. This is Nevi trying on the flower girl dress she will be wearing at Erene and Chris's beautiful wedding on Santorini Island.

Precious child, who keeps asking are we going to Greece today?

Nevi's tap & Jazz Recital

Nevi is the darlingto the far right. The best part was in the middle of her second dance she caught sight of either Me or her Auntie Krista and began to wave whole-heartedly! The beauty of the entire recital was seeing children of all ages feel proud and accomplished in themselves.