My Big Fat Greek-filled Day

Sunday, Todd, Tyler, and I drove over to Tarpon Springs to spend the afternoon.

The first settlers of the area saw Tarpon jumping from the water so they named it Tarpon Springs. The city is known for their sponge docks because Greek immigrants developed it’s sponge-diving industry back in the 1880′s. Today it is a quaint seaside village with many delicious Greek restaruants, shops, and museums.

The locals offer boat excurisions and tours that show you just how divers did and to this day still dive for sponges.

We strolled along looking at the boats and window shopped until we found Hellas Bakery.

Mmmmm sweet bread…

and pastries!!! Lots o lots o pastries!!

We ordered a Greek coffee, a Koulouria pastry, and a Saragli. The Greek coffee actually had coffee grounds at the bottom which gave it a strong flavor and a thick texture. Kind of like a muddy expresso. The Koulouria is a butter based pastry with an egg glaze. It was simple yet sweet. Saragli (the one with the cherry on it) are made with walnuts, honey, cinnamon and rolled in honey soaked Filo dough. A different version of Baklava.

With our tastebuds temporarily satisfied, we walked down Dodecanese Avenue  passing marinas, boats, sponge shops, boutiques, more bakeries, and restaurants.

If you watch “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” (Discovery Channel) this place may look familiar. He aired an episode last season and featured the dirty job of a sponge diver. The episode is said to replay this Tuesday the 20th at 7pm.

Walking around in the heat and smelling all the Greek delicacies really makes you hungry. We stopped for lunch at Mama’s Cafe.

We ordered the Saganaki (Flaming Cheese) for the appetizer. OPA!

Chicken Souvlaki and Sangria for my main entree. So filling! The Sangria was 2/1 and this huge Souvlaki wrap was only $5.95. I definitely had to take it home for left overs.

After our lunch, we walked around a bit more looking at boats.

 and lamp posts.

Once we saw all we could see at the docks, we drove over to Fred Howard Park.

A relaxing afternoon…

 our bellies full…

and an extremely happy baby.

I couldn’t ask for anything more.