Ferry to Naxos
Yet another early start, but we consoled ourselves with the knowledge that this was the LAST ONE for a while, and the next couple of weeks we would be able to wake when we pleased, do what we pleased, and go where we pleased when we pleased!!!! The wake up call was at 5.15am, the hotel arranged for an early continental breakfast at 5.30am, and the taxi arrived promptly just before 6am. Our driver, who introduced himself as Stavros (or “Steve” to international passengers, he told us with delight), asked us where we were going and then in broken English proceeded to tell us we had chosen a lovely island, very traditional with lots of trees, and unlikely to have lots of tourists at this time of year. Perfect!
Stavros had been briefed by the hotel staff to take us first to the ticket office to collect our pre-booked tickets, and then to drop us round the corner at the ferry terminal. It all went completely as planned and we were on the ferry and settled into a cosy corner by 6.30am.
I think I was expecting something like the ferry to Bruny Island, but this was more like a small floating hotel, complete with kennels on an outside level, for those who can’t bear to travel without their best friend. The lounge areas (even cattle class) were very comfortable, and we could wander around as much as we wanted. The food was junk, but that wasn’t unexpected - coffee, fries, and a shared apple pie was the best we could manage, but it was better than nothing.
Almost as scheduled, just after 7.30am, the ferry pulled out of Piraeus port and we were on our way and back out into the Aegean Sea. The weather was overcast but fine, with only light winds in Athens. As we travelled the sun began to peep through the clouds and shine across the water. There was a small swell which made walking more fun than usual, and the forecast was for stronger winds on Naxos, so we didn’t necessarily expect totally smooth sailing the whole way, but we were pleasantly surprised at how easy the whole voyage was. It was lovely just to sit and relax, not to have to be anywhere by a certain time, do anything in particular, or feel that we needed to photograph everything! We just sat and read our books, something we’ve had little time to do so far!!
The trip to Naxos took a few hours, stopping at Paros first. It seemed that most of the passengers were heading further, either to Ios or to Santorini, as we were part of a relatively small group who disembarked on Naxos. That was fine with us, we were looking forward to smaller crowds (finally) and a relaxing few days.
Our hotel host Milka had promised to be waiting for us at the dock, and she was true to her word, sending her right hand man Yannis to collect us. The arrival process was completely painless and we found ourselves at the steps of our little home away from home within 15 minutes of disembarking.
Our little room looked lovely, white, bright and clean, with a small balcony from which we could glimpse the waters at St George Beach, a mere 100 metres down the street. Milka was very welcoming and accommodating, bringing us an extra blanket when we asked. The afternoon was ours to explore Naxos Town, and so we wandered, lunching at a little place by the marina where they served an enormous “Naxos salad” with amazing goat’s cheese.
After lunch we continued wandered through tiny, old alleyways in the “old town” area, popped into little churches, and thoroughly enjoyed our random exploring.
Eventually we found our way back to our street where we bought a few things for breakfast at the local supermarket, then headed back to the hotel for an afternoon rest, something we have had exactly NO time to do for the past couple of weeks.
Heading out again we walked via the beach and along past many venues that are not yet open for the “season”. We saw the ferry berthing on its return voyage from Santorini, and then strolled along the promenade and selected a different venue for dinner, enjoying grilled calamari, and a huge Greek salad (I can see this becoming a daily choice) at Zorba’s Taverna, and yes, they played “Zorba the Greek” in the background, and then watched the sunset over the marina.
Stavros had been briefed by the hotel staff to take us first to the ticket office to collect our pre-booked tickets, and then to drop us round the corner at the ferry terminal. It all went completely as planned and we were on the ferry and settled into a cosy corner by 6.30am.
I think I was expecting something like the ferry to Bruny Island, but this was more like a small floating hotel, complete with kennels on an outside level, for those who can’t bear to travel without their best friend. The lounge areas (even cattle class) were very comfortable, and we could wander around as much as we wanted. The food was junk, but that wasn’t unexpected - coffee, fries, and a shared apple pie was the best we could manage, but it was better than nothing.
Almost as scheduled, just after 7.30am, the ferry pulled out of Piraeus port and we were on our way and back out into the Aegean Sea. The weather was overcast but fine, with only light winds in Athens. As we travelled the sun began to peep through the clouds and shine across the water. There was a small swell which made walking more fun than usual, and the forecast was for stronger winds on Naxos, so we didn’t necessarily expect totally smooth sailing the whole way, but we were pleasantly surprised at how easy the whole voyage was. It was lovely just to sit and relax, not to have to be anywhere by a certain time, do anything in particular, or feel that we needed to photograph everything! We just sat and read our books, something we’ve had little time to do so far!!
The trip to Naxos took a few hours, stopping at Paros first. It seemed that most of the passengers were heading further, either to Ios or to Santorini, as we were part of a relatively small group who disembarked on Naxos. That was fine with us, we were looking forward to smaller crowds (finally) and a relaxing few days.
Our hotel host Milka had promised to be waiting for us at the dock, and she was true to her word, sending her right hand man Yannis to collect us. The arrival process was completely painless and we found ourselves at the steps of our little home away from home within 15 minutes of disembarking.
Our little room looked lovely, white, bright and clean, with a small balcony from which we could glimpse the waters at St George Beach, a mere 100 metres down the street. Milka was very welcoming and accommodating, bringing us an extra blanket when we asked. The afternoon was ours to explore Naxos Town, and so we wandered, lunching at a little place by the marina where they served an enormous “Naxos salad” with amazing goat’s cheese.
After lunch we continued wandered through tiny, old alleyways in the “old town” area, popped into little churches, and thoroughly enjoyed our random exploring.
Eventually we found our way back to our street where we bought a few things for breakfast at the local supermarket, then headed back to the hotel for an afternoon rest, something we have had exactly NO time to do for the past couple of weeks.
Heading out again we walked via the beach and along past many venues that are not yet open for the “season”. We saw the ferry berthing on its return voyage from Santorini, and then strolled along the promenade and selected a different venue for dinner, enjoying grilled calamari, and a huge Greek salad (I can see this becoming a daily choice) at Zorba’s Taverna, and yes, they played “Zorba the Greek” in the background, and then watched the sunset over the marina.
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