Week 6 – Athens & Greek Islands

Sunday 5th to Sunday 12th May

Athens – Santorini – Mykonos – Lesvos

SUNDAY 05/05/19 – Lay DAY: Athens

It was a slow start to today as we’d already decided we’d leave the queuing to the million other people who were happy to do that sort of thing and pay good bucks for the pleasure.

The Acroplis is only 400m from where we’re staying so everything is pretty close.

We did our own walking tour which was very pleasant as the day was perfect.

MONDAY 06/05/19 – Lay DAY: Athens

Today we did frappes on top of Lycabettus Hill overlooking EVERYTHING in Athens.

We rode to this spot and I can honestly say that weekday traffic in Athens is truly terrible, not so much scary, just BUSY; cars stop and double park anywhere and therefore traffic is all over the place. It’s no pleasure riding a big bike here, scooter heaven though.

More tourist pics.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

TUESDAY 07/05/19 – TRANSIT DAY: Ferry To Santorini

We were up early because our ferry for Santorini was leaving at 7.30am. I don’t do late if I can possibly help it, so we pretty much had the roads to ourselves for the 8klm trip to the port. We were on the boat first, watched as pandemonium ensured the closer it got to sailing time as all the late arrivers were pushing and shoving and yelling and gesturing. We sailed 20 minutes late.

Then dropped into and dropped off at Kithnos

Then Serifos

And Sifnos. (if the truth be known I’m not sure which pic belongs to which port but they’re all very picturesque)

Until we arrived at Santorini, which was spectacular as we sailed in much to Norma’s delight. This was a very special place to my very special girl and it was all she’d hoped it would be, which was fantastic.

We were staying at Oia which meant traversing the entire length of the island and it seemed like we were in Athens once again – so many people out and about.

We found our room which was really nice. Ours is the door to the left.

It was the most economical I could find with a view of the Oia sunsets and still cost A$200 per night. Ain’t a cheap place to visit. But we loved it all the same.

We watched the sunset from our own personal balcony.

The end of a very memorable day.

WEDNESDAY 08/05/19 –  LAY DAY: Santorini

Be warned there are a heap of pics coming up.

I told you, but it really is a spectacular place.

We walked down the cliff and had a light lunch right on the water, before taking the long way home by the road.

More pics, then a better sunset.

THURSDAY 09/05/19 – LAY DAY: Santorini

We took a bit of a ride around the northern coastline today and had another light lunch on what passes for a beach around here.

Before taking a final stroll and watching a final sunset.

FRIDAY 10/05/19 – TRANSIT DAY: Ferry To Mykonos & Lesvos

Another early start to beat the traffic down the switchbacks to the port. Enjoyed frappes waiting for our ferry to arrive, then snapped some pics as we left port. Thank you Santorini, you made my bride very happy.

We arrived at Mykonos at around 2.30pm and had a 7 hour wait for our ferry to Lesvos, so we had an early anniversary dinner by the water’s edge. Followed by ice-cream, because after all it is Friday.

SATURDAY 11/05/19 – TRANSIT DAY: Ferry Mykonos to Lesvos

Today was supposed to be our entry to Turkey and all the way to Eceabat /Anzac Cove area. But it wasn’t to be because I’d assumed that, because it was such a short distance, there’d be regular ferries from Mitilini on Lesvos to Ayvalik in Turkey, and the idea was to catch said assumed regular ferry immediately we arrived in Mitilini. Trouble is my assumptions were incorrect as I found out yesterday on a thought that “I’d best check” RATS. Not only don’t they run regularly, they run infrequently, being tomorrow evening at 6.00pm arriving at Ayvalik at 7.30pm.

This means that we’ve got a 32 hour layover on Lesvos, which is OK but not planned for. Neither is tomorrow nights stay just north of Ayvalik, meaning we lose 2 days which we’ll have to make up. NEVER MIND.

So tonight we stay at Plomari at the lovely Pebble Beach Hotel and tomorrow we’ll take a bit of a ride around Lesvos before catching the ferry to Turkey. Can’t wait.

See you soon.

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