I swear I must have put on any and all extra pounds during this contract due to Greek food. I LOVE Greek food and I was surprised to find my absolute favorite Greek meal and baked goods were found in unassuming Milos, Greece, and more than sad when I discovered we wouldn’t be going back a second time.

Below is the amazing bakery where we went to not once, not twice, but three times in one day:

See the chocolate cookies below? They were fresh out of the oven and full of warm, melted, ooey gooey chocolate. Need I say more? Sure, they’re probably not a secret traditional Greek recipe but this cookie is exactly what drew us back in so many times. And just to save face, I did also purchase a traditional spanakopita pastry.

Below is the restaurant where I had in my opinion the best Greek meal ever. And just look at where I got to sit and eat that meal:

The restaurant appeared to be run by a husband and wife team who continually crossed the road from the kitchen to our seaside table and back bringing us one freshly prepared dish after another – and we had quite a large spread. They were so sweet and didn’t speak a lick of English. And just look at that beautiful kitty who gave us company as we dined (and got lots of leftovers in return). Greece is definitely known for its cats.

The Greek alphabet is so different from our own that I’ve failed at finding any information or links to these two special places online. Therefore you will just have to use the photos to find your own way once there. Good luck! ;) If anyone reading this happens to know any more information regarding these places please let me know so that I can give them the proper credit they deserve.

Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe surprised me. After a frightening tender boat ride in where we weathered two torrential downpours and a guest’s head injury where we almost had to turn the tender around and go back, we arrived at the pier feeling exhausted and anxiety ridden – and the day had yet to begin! Luckily, the island was everything I didn’t know I was hoping for.

I quickly realized that this is the type of island I liked: rugged, woodsy, and unrefined. The rich and famous can keep their hoighty-toighty Saint Barts. Give me Guadeloupe and its dirt roads, wooded coves, and laid back lifestyle any day.

We even found some of the best food in a small cafe by the name La P’tite Gourmandise. The kind old French lady inside made everything herself. How can a simple sandwich be so good? When the baguette is freshly baked which results in the perfect combination of soft on the inside and crusty on the outside. Oh my was that tuna sandwich one of the best I’ve ever had! My friend decided on the French eclair for dessert. Call it anything you like; it’s still a cream donut to me and so I’ll pass, but he said it was great as well.

The cafe even decorated for Christmas using palm branches. It was nice to have a sense of the holidays, albeit not exactly the kind I’m used to!

So although the day may have started out rough, I left the island feeling refreshed, renewed, and hoping there will be more Caribbean ports-of-calls like Terre-de-Haut.

Ajaccio, Corsica

Ibiza, Spain

Monte Carlo, France

Portoferraio, Italy

Portovenere, Italy

Sorrento, Italy