After an unforgettable time in Bali, we arrived in Syros, a Greek Cycladic Island, at the beginning of January. Spending the December break back home in Belgium, we were ready for another three months of adventure, learning, and community with the Trailblazer Program by Boundless Life.

We had already been on Syros Island exactly two years ago (also in winter), for our first cohort with Boundless Life. And we fell in love with the island.

There are so many things to do in Syros, but it’s mainly the feeling of living on the island like a local (surrounded by our Boundless Life friends) that we love.

Our first month back on the island has been filled with exciting activities, reconnecting with friends, and embracing life on this beautiful Cycladic island. The blend of familiar faces and new experiences has already made this journey special in ways we hadn’t imagined.

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A Warm Reunion With the Other Trailblazer Families

Being among the first families to arrive on Syros Island, we eagerly awaited the ferry to welcome our fellow Trailblazers back. Such a special feeling to reunite with families from all over the world on this tiny island in the Aegean Sea.

Seeing the joy in our girls’ eyes as they ran to hug their friends made us realize how strong the bonds within this community truly are. And it’s the best feeling ever! We couldn’t wait to show everybody around our favorite island.

Exploring the Education Center in Syros

The Trailblazers started their new term with an opening ceremony and brunch at the Education Center. As it is the first time Syros is welcoming the Trailblazer Program, Boundless Life fully renovated the lower level of the Education Center, providing them with their own dedicated space.

All the teens were excited as they explored their new learning environment. Our girls really love the space, as it has been thoughtfully designed for teens, with both a spacious classroom and a cozy room to hang out.

The students were also introduced to Emily, their new STEM teacher, and Markos, a local Greek educator who will assist in the classroom, focusing on culture and sports.

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Boundless Quest: Democracy in Action

During this cohort, all Boundless Life locations will work on Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. And could you think of a better place than Syros to learn about this SDG, as Greece is where the principle of democracy was born?

To bring this topic to life, the Trailblazers visited local institutions and companies in Syros in January.

Their first field trip took them to the Textile Museum, where they learned about Syros’ rich history in textile production. A beautiful experience where they got to see how fabrics were made back in the day and dyed using traditional techniques.

The second field trip brought them to Ermoupoli’s courthouse, where they acted as jurors, lawyers, and witnesses in a mock trial. They also toured the town hall and even met with an interrogation judge. Afterward, they visited the local police and fire department to discuss crime and safety. The general consensus? Syros is incredibly safe!

It was fascinating to see the kids immerse themselves in these real-world applications of democracy, asking insightful questions and gaining a deeper understanding of how justice and governance function in daily life.

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Sports, Challenges, and Fun

During and after Boundless EC hours, all the families have been participating in many fun and active experiences.

The kids held basketball games at the court next to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, but some of the dads now made a weekly thing out of it too.

The students also participated in a scavenger hunt in Ano Syros, which was a great mix of learning and excitement as they navigated the winding alleyways and historic spots.

Another highlight was the escape room in Ermoupoli. Watching the (competitive) kids work together to solve puzzles was both entertaining and impressive.

We had some fun nights out with the parents, sleepovers for the teens, and last but not least, we had so much fun with the entire family during karaoke evenings at Barrio. They organize these evenings for kids and adults and let’s just say some new talent was discovered!

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Outdoor Adventures in Syros

The first three weeks of January on Syros blessed us with incredible warm weather (considering it’s winter in Europe), known locally as the Halcyon Days: a period of calm, sunny winter days.

Therefore, it has been the perfect month to get outside and explore Syros. We have been taking cold plunges in the Aegean Sea from the platform at Asteria Beach and had our first group hike, organized by Boundless Life, that took us to the charming chapel of Agios Dimitrios.

But we also did some of the incredible hikes in Syros during the weekend, especially since we also had a visitor, the girls’ grandmother. We hiked to Agios Stefanos Chapel, some of the remote beaches, and around Ano Syros, all the way up to Alithini.

The scenery was breathtaking, and the conversations along the way made the experience even more enjoyable. It was one of those days when we felt deeply grateful for the freedom and beauty that comes with our nomadic lifestyle.

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Final Thoughts on Our First Month in Syros With the Trailblazers

Being back on Syros Island has been the best feeling ever for our family. To be able to share it with all of the other families just makes everything even better.

Our first month in Syros has already been filled with memorable experiences, and we can’t wait to see what the next two months bring.

Every day here feels like a mix of learning, adventure, and community. Exactly what we were hoping for. Stay tuned for more updates from our journey!

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