Day 37 – 12 September – arrivederci Italy – yassou Greece/Paros
What can I say- getting up at five am is very ordinary. But we are ready and out of the house and into David’s car at six. To the airport in record time so we don’t hesitate- and do the drop off thing. (Dianne must love the constant Pat-downs!). (She wears a bangle she can’t remove) I also put my carry on underneath as I didn’t want to have to manoeuvre it up above me. So all I have to worry about is my handbag. Man
Fed to fall asleep on the plane before it had even got off the runway! Several times I dropped things on the floor and now that we’re waiting for the next flight – to Paros I find I’ve lost my glasses.Probably dropped them on the floor. I’ve made some equities and I’ve been given an email address so that I can made contact with lost and found. Hopefully when we come back before we fly back to Australia I might be lucky and get them back. We had to wait for 2.5 hours in Athens before our flight to Paros.
The plane had propellers, which raised the eyebrows of a few of the girls. I sat next to a lovely young woman ‘Gwen’ and heard quite a story. The 55 miles was a quick flight with a bumpy landing. It was the first
I me I’d been picked up by someone holding holding a sign with my name. (The transfer had been organised by our hostess Afroditi.)
The house is as spectacular as the photos. So it was just a matter of grabbing a bedroom each. We settled in, had showers (we’d been up since 5 – some at 4:15). and then took a walk down to the Main Street. we did have an early dinner and the view was simply spectacular from our table.
Home and bed. 7,531 steps
Day 38 – 13th September – Aliki
A bit of a lay in then Di, Jim and I took a walk to check out the lay of the land. The others were sun baking!
We laughed at this street name (named after me??). It’s very dry but the houses a really nice, in a Greek way. Lots of White, blue and Aqua. We decided on the restaurant after checking out some of the MANY available. And had a table very near the edge so that we had a fantastic view of the water.
Came home for lunch then had a LOT of fun around the pool. We also played table tennis and darts. It was later in the afternoon that Tom finally convinced us all to go into a race – in the pool! It was VERY funny and Brian won. Not fantastic for me because I’m SO competitive!
We had dinner down the street later on and then home to bed. 8,406 steps
Day 39 – 14th September – Naoussa
Decided to take the local bus today, so we purchased our ticket – which we were told was 2 erupts each way. So I pay 4 euro and get one ticket – he tells me to hold onto it because it’s also the return ticket. We had initially to go to Parikia then get another bus to Naoussa. we had a drink (coffee and orange juice!!! It’s not beer o’clock yet!)
This was achieved with minimal fuss and when we reached Naoussa we were very pleased because it’s gorgeous!
Helen purchase some new linen trousers but not sure anyone else had any luck. Gorgeous clothes etc but so many were super expensive.
We found a little restaurant to eat and not long after a little restaurant in which to have a drink.
We had to get back to the bus station for the 3:30 bus but sadly Vicki and Brian only , managed to get on the bus. No matter, they were sending another in 15 minutes. It was really good. We all were in Pariki around twenty minutes later and we realised that we’d be able to get the 4:30 bus back to Aliki if all went well. We were just about to get on this bus (Vicki and Brian were on it). When we were told the tickets we had were for only one way so running to the ticket office and back to bud in record time.
Back in Aliki and because it’s Sunday the supermarket isn’t open. (Just like in the old days in Aus.). So we’ll be going out for breakfast on our last day.
We went home to recover from the heat of the day. It’s scorching here. Not really the actual temperature but somehow the blazing sun plus the humidity makes it feel even hotter.
Back for dinner and it looked amazing but turned out to be NOT so amazing. the venue was really good tho’.
We went home, had a few drinks played UNO then went to bed. 10,139 steps
Day 40 – 15th September – last day on Paros
Was a very relaxing day today. Up late and basically lazed about the whole time. Played some darts, had a swim in the pool, caught up with the expenses, the blog and emails etc.
We now have eleven nights left before we head back to Australia and home.
Had our last meal in Aliki and it was one of the best albeit simple meals we’ve had. And they gave us complimentary shots of something ‘very delicious’ but wasn’t ouzo.
Managed to figure out (thanks to Di) how to do our own delayed photo.
It’s an outstanding accommodation!
We finished off with a ‘cheers/salute’ to Paros and retired to bed to ready our luggage for the morning. 8,301. Steps.
Day 41 – 16th September – Athens by ferry
The taxi picked us up at 8:45 and we farewelled Afroditi in the ‘loaded wagon’ heading off to Parikia and the ferry terminal. It was a reasonably quick journey but closer in we were held up by the traffic. Apparently much better than usual. Unloaded, paid the driver and lined up in the waiting area. The guys stayed with the luggage whilst we went to grab some food and drink from the local shops. Very reasonable compared with some of the amounts we’ve been charged. It was a ‘free for all’ getting on the ferry. The luggage is ‘basically’ in a similar spot. Who knows what happens during a ferry ride. There was a LOT of luggage and it wasn’t secured to anything.
Di and I dared to get to the toilet, using our ‘core’ strength to combat the constantly moving boat. We managed it quite well as we ‘deftly’ picked our way along the corridor. Being ushered into the loos by the ‘male’ cleaner. It was a very interesting experience as we did a duet out the door and across to the exterior door. For perhaps a minute we dared experienced the ‘wind’ that is created by the speed of the ship. I managed one photo (whilst being supported by Di)
The inside of the cabin is huge and looks like this:
There are even dogs aboard!
At Piraeus (Athens Port- one of three) we all got off the huge Catamaran. this was an absolute ‘free-for-all’. What a debacle. There are hundreds of people lining up to go down the stairs. Some to their cars and others who need to get their luggage. OMG it’s squishy, crazy and nuts. But we managed to reach our gear and were some of the very last to leave the ship/boat.
THEN- we had to find a taxi! I think every single taxi in Athens was at the Port BUT none were available, at least none for US. Finally, we found a FANTASTIC guy. He’s given us many things to see/do and he also is prepared to pick us up on Friday to take us back to the Port. Then we just need to contact him on the last day of the cruise and he’ll take us to the airport! How lucky are we!
We had to take two taxis and after about half an hour we reached our destination. Jan (Helens friend was waiting for us). She joins us now for the rest of our trip.
The rooms are in an excellent spot and we have our ‘local’ directly opposite the front door. So it was an easy decision to have our ‘welcome to Athens drinks’ there.
We wanted to do something with the rest of the day and Othonis (our Taxi driver) had suggested a Hill (the highest in Athens) to see. So I asked my AI what it was (Othonis had given me all green addresses). So I convinced (sort of) the guys to follow me up there.
There were SO many steps. They didn’t ‘really’ know where i was taking them (and I wasn’t 100% sure either -but believed both Othonis and my AI).
We finally reached the Funicular where it took us up the last bit of the ‘hill’. AND WOW!!!!!
From the top of Lycabettus Hill.
We had our first meal at the top too.
We walked the gazillion miles back to our accommodation, had a nightcap, then went to bed. 12,286 steps
Lady Boomer 