Surprise Birthday Trip to Mykonos, Greece

Friday, September 2

Today was the day that we fly to Mykonos! Unfortunately, we had to wait until the evening for our flight.

So of course to make sure we were beach ready, we went to the WOD in the morning. Definitely a good one!

After what felt like forever, it was finally time to get on our flight to Mykonos!


















The airport we flew into was probably the smallest one I had ever seen! Even in the dark, you could tell it was pretty small.

We had someone from our hotel come pick us up. Since the island is not that big, it was less than a 10 minute drive to our hotel from the airport.

When we got to the place, the lady was super friendly and nice with helping us get everything ready and settled into our room. They even said in the morning they would help us find where we rented our ATV's from and call them so they could come get us.

Our cute little room.

After setting everything in our room we wanted something small to eat. Luckily, there was a bakery across the street that is open 24 hours. They had some of the most delicious and tasty pastries! We ended up bringing them back to our room so we could finally relax and get ready for our adventures the next day!

Saturday, September 3

First stop on the list was to have the owners call the ATV people and then wait for them to come get us. Now that's curb side service!

After we got our ATV's it was time for us to really explore the island!

It was so nice just being able to go wherever we wanted and just finding random neat places. One of the first places we found was an old lighthouse. The views were amazing!

 

Next stop was to find a beach and nice lunch spot. Which I think we did a pretty good job of finding. There were not too many people and there was a restaurant just up the hill to the side looking down at the beach.

We both enjoyed a delicious pizza with a very calm and relaxing view at Ftelia.

After lunch we decided to take advantage of the beach and go lay out for a while.

 

Then back to exploring more of the island. But of course there is always something that has to go wrong. Last year when we had ATV's mine stopped working on our tour, so our whole group had to wait for the company to come bring me a new one. Well this time it was Preston's ATV that stopped working. Never a dull moment in the Wolter household!

Luckily when the guy came he was able to fix it for us.

Exploring time!

For dinner that night we thought we would go to one of the main towns we had heard about that was pretty lively and find a good place to eat at.

We ended up finding a place to eat at near the water called Rouvera Cafe Restaurant. The waiter gave us some recommendations on what types of food is typical to eat down in Mykonos, so we thought why not.

 

(Yes, I did end up getting splashed on trying to take this picture)
 

 

(Our view for dinner)

We started off with spanakopita, which we have had in Greece before and it is delicious! We also got their version of fried cheese.

For the main dish we each got souvlaki, Preston got the chicken one, while I got lamb. I will say Preston's tasted better, but I can't say mine was bad either.

Once we got back home we decided to get a dessert from the 24 hour bakery across from our place. Somehow I had never actually had a nutella crepe yet over here. Which I'm so sad it took me this long to finally try one because it was amazing!

Time to rest up for another fun and relaxing day tomorrow.

Sunday, September 4

Today first I wanted to stop at the Starbucks we had passed by the day before, as I just had to go since we don't have them in Italy and plus I have to get the mug from all the different ones we go to while overseas.

Now to find a relaxing beach.

We hit the jackpot! We found a random beach that had a sunbeds for rent with full service staff, a restaurant and a small shop.

I still can't believe how cheap it is to rent a sunbed for the whole day, only 30 euro! It was worth every penny!

Plus, this beach had a ramp out into the ocean that you could run off of or go lay out on. Which made this beach even more perfect for us to lay out all day at.

 

 

Back to being spoiled and lazy!

We wanted to take full advantage of our laziness, so we ordered lunch from our sunbeds to be brought out to us. Along with a delicious drink in a tiki mug.

Time to play again!

I did not want to leave this beach, it was way too relaxing! However, it was time to shower and find a place for dinner.

This time we decided to stay closer to our hotel for dinner. One of the nights before we wandered around by our hotel and found some good looking restaurants that we thought we might try.

We went to Lefteris Grill House Mykonos, which ended up being a good choice. The food was good, plus it was really cheap! Plus, Preston got to finally get his Gyro.

We started with fried cheese balls and mushrooms a la creme.

Then onto the Gyro!

 

Like every night while being in Mykonos, we stopped at the 24 hour bakery to choose another delicious dessert. This time I got a chocolate chip cookie filled with nutella and a cookies and cream cup.

So sad this was our last night here, we had so much fun on our little getaway. I think this had to have been one of the coolest surprise birthday presents ever! I still can't believe he was able to keep it a secret for as long as he did. I give him an A+! :)

Monday, September 5

This was our last morning in Mykonos, I wish we had more time here.

Since we had a little time before our taxi came to get us for the airport we decided to walk to both of the close by beaches to enjoy the view one more time.

Goodbye cute hotel!

This had to be one of the smallest and most out of date airport I had ever been to! And I have been to a lot of airports. The monitor screens looked like they were from the 80's or 90's.

There was only one place to hang out before we boarded our plane. And there was no A/C, plus there were stray cats walking around, which I thought was very interesting in an airport.

So long Greece, until next time!!

This had to have been one of the best birthday surprise present ever! Now can Preston top it for next year! ;)

My 26th Birthday Festivities!

Wednesday, August 24

I love birthdays!! I am one of those people who used to wear around a tiara on her birthday, unfortunately I did not have one this year. This year was a great another great one!

I started off the day with a birthday WOD at Crossfit! But before crossfit, Preston finally got to tell me my surprise birthday trip he had planned months ago. We were going to Mykonos, Greece!!! I must say, I have the best husband ever! One of the best surprise birthday gifts ever! We were going over Labor Day weekend, as it was a long weekend for both of us.

After hearing that news, nothing could ruin my birthday! Even the 26 minute AMRAP that certainly was killer couldn't get me!! This was a great way though to start off my day, as I knew I was going to be having a lot of sweets!

After the WOD I got to open some of my birthday presents! They were perfect for our upcoming trip going to the island! 

When I got to work, they had brought in some Italian pastries and brioches and a drink from Deja Brew, delicious! 

(Cards from people at work)

(Birthday outfit)

After work and the gym we had one more thing we needed to get for my birthday...my kitty!! We both decided we finally wanted to get a pet while living over here. And what better day to pick him up than on my birthday!

At first I felt so bad for him, as he was a little scared meeting new people. He was only 6 weeks old when we got to take him home.

He is the cutest and sweetest kitty ever!

I would have to say this was probably one of the best birthdays I have had in a long time! So many exciting and fun things happened all in one day. But still more birthday adventures to come in a couple weeks when we head to Mykonos, Greece! I even got my favorite ice cream cake for dessert :)

Yearly trip to Aqualandia

Sunday, August 21

Every summer we have to make a trip down to Aqualandia, a waterpark in Jesolo. I wish we went here more than once every summer, hopefully next year we will make more time to go multiple times. This year the waterpark added a new slide that I could not wait to try!

We had a small group of us all go; it ended up being a nice day to be outside, perfect weather. One thing this waterpark does, that I wish the states did, is give everyone wrist bands when they come into the park that act as a tracker, whether you are purchasing food or going on the new waterslide, it tracks your info or how much money you owe. Then when you leave for the day, you give the wristband back and they let you know how much you owe for the day. This way you don't have to go hunt down your wallet if your on the other side of the park and also have the fear of losing it or it getting soaked. So smart!

After warming up on one of our favorite racing slides it was time to try the new slide!

It made us all a little nervous at first because before you can even get in line you put your infomration in a computer and attach your email with your wristband, so every time you go down the slide the videos they take are sent to your email. After that you have to fill out a waiver form saying they are not liable if anything happens to you.

Next you go in the first line to get your back brace and life-vest to wear down the slide (sounds a little daunting?!).

Once all geared up, you are now ready to walk up to the top of the slide.

I would have to say the first round I was a little nervous to go down cause I did not know what to expect. Plus, the pool of water when you come out is not very big, so if your are on the right side coming down and don't go off straight you could really hurt yourself.

This was probably one of the most fun slides I have ever been on!! We had to have gone on it like 8 or more times in a row and then even came back to it again later that day and did another 8 or so times. I will say that if this type of slide was in the states, it would not be around for long because so many people would figure out stupid ways to hurt themselves, unfortunately.

Video of one of my runs below.

After a full day of enjoying the waterpark it was time to go home. To then enjoy a tasty sushi dinner.  

Aviano Duathlon

Saturday, August 20

I love participating in the different athletic events put on by the base. This was my second year competing in Aviano's Duathlon. I was again nervous for this race, as I had not been on the bike much, as per usual. One day I will actually train on the bike and see how well I could really do with some practice.

The race was 2 laps on the bike around base (18.5k) and then a 5k run. Some how I'm always more nervous for the things that people find easy; I'm almost always opposite of other people. I was looking more forward to the run than the bike.

It was really weird doing this race by myself this time, as Preston was coaching for the Aviano Sea Dragon swim meet that morning.

The race started off well, but still biking is definitely not my strong suit.

By the time I got to the run my legs were definitely feeling it! But somehow this is where I can catch a lot of people, gotta love that endurance from swimming all my life! :)

I ended up finishing first in my age group! The prizes keep getting better and better every time I compete in one of these races. This year I won a Bose speaker! Along with the t-shirt and the medal I got as well.

As I always say, I should at least one time try to train for one of these events and see how well I would do.

After I of course had to treat myself to a cookie dough frappe, yum!!

Lago di Santa Croce with Friends

Sunday, August 14

Today was the day Preston left on his Italian adventure with his family. I had to stay home and work so I could save up my leave for other trips we have planned. So why not hang out with my friends!

Since it was still nice out we wanted to either go to the beach or a lake. The 3 of us decided to go to Lago di Santa Croce, which is only about 30-40 minutes from where I live, as my friend Paige said she heard it was really nice there. They both also brought their doggies with them. It made me really want a pet so bad! And also, my friend, Ashley, her dog made me miss my husky so bad and want another one!

When you get there it is very easy to find parking lots, the only hard thing is trying to find an open spot. We were lucky and found one pretty quick. Depending on which lot you park in also you might have to walk a little further.

The place was beautiful! The lake was right in the middle of the mountains, giving you an amazing 360° view!

(Main area to layout)

If you wanted to, you could even rent a paddleboard or kite surf in the water. I will definitely have to go back again another time and paddleboard in this lake.

Since we had the doggies we wanted to try and find a less crowded quieter place for them to run around. Good thing, because we found a nice area if you walk further down the path that nobody was at yet.

After playing around and enjoying the views, we needed to find something to eat first before heading back home. The one thing I will say is if we do go back, I need to make sure to bring euro! All the places by the water are cash only. Luckily, there was a place up the road walking to that had an ATM where we could get money out so we could eat there.

We sat outside so we could still enjoy the perfect day out. We all ended up getting toast (basically like a grilled cheese, slice of prosciutto and cheese). Theirs was huge! Never seen toast that big, but it was still really good.

Today was a nice relaxing girls day! Can't wait to do it again!




Address:
Lago di Santa Croce, Farra d'Alpago, Province of Belluno