We have now been in Greece for six weeks. For us, this is familiar territory, a warm welcome back filled with countless memories of earlier visits. And yet, this time feels different. We are different. The way we move, live, and experience life here has shifted.

When you visit Greece on holiday, time is scarce. You want to squeeze out every last drop, to see the most beautiful places, to keep moving, to secure the best spot in the anchorage. We see so many around us doing exactly that, and it reminds us of how we once travelled here too.

But living aboard is different. We have time. We know the area already, so we don’t feel the same urge to chase after the most stunning anchorages. Instead, we search for something else: connection with fellow liveaboards, facilities that make daily life easier, and a rhythm that allows us to feel at home.

It means we sometimes end up in less “beautiful” places, at least in the holiday sense. Places we would never have chosen before, except perhaps for a quick stop to prepare the boat. And yet now, those same places feel exactly right. A pontoon with electricity and comfort may not be glamorous, but it gives us what we need at this stage. Our priorities have shifted.

Of course, we are still excited to keep exploring new spots. But right now, we also value grounding ourselves in the familiar, living in an environment that feels steady, and reconnecting with people we already know. Beyond fellow sailors, we have also built relationships with locals, and of all the people we have met during our travels, the Greeks truly stand out for their hospitality.

They will go out of their way to make you feel at home, and they find it hard to say no. That can lead to confusion at times, for example whether we are really allowed to stay on the pontoon or not, but we have come to understand this as hospitality, not unwillingness. For us, as straightforward Rotterdam people, it can be difficult to get used to. Agreements are more fluid here; technicians are busy and want to please everyone, so appointments often do not happen exactly when expected. At times, that tests my patience, but I have learned to trust that it is not out of neglect, simply a different way of life.

There is one exception: our electrician. He is punctual to the minute, communicates clearly, and works meticulously. A rare gem.

Meanwhile, we are getting to know our surroundings better. With a rental car, we drive around the island, revisiting familiar places. It feels reassuring for now. But the itch to move on is there too. Once the jobs on board are done, we will take a moment to recover and then continue our journey eastwards, towards Athens and the Cyclades.

Along the way, we will welcome different friends and family aboard. Each time, the dynamic on board shifts, and that is okay. Life keeps flowing. The boat is our stable factor, a floating home where we travel, work, do school, spend time with friends, and live all at once.

What once seemed impossible has now become second nature.

Written by: Mirjam