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Published: July 12th 2007
Hey guys, sorry that I haven't had the chance to update the blog. Internet on the islands is very expensive. Hopefully, I can also work out how to put some photos up from our travels. We are back in Piraeus and this of course means back in my favourite CHEAP internet cafe so I can finally update you on our adventures.
Before I forget, I have a Greek number over here. Its +306939913121 so make sure you message us :p
Salamina Since I last left off we have visited some of Ange's relatives on the small island of Salamina. This island is only 30mins from Piraeus and is visted by many Greeks because of its beaches. We had lunch with Ange's Uncle Babis, Aunty Elvira and cousin George and although they spoke minimal English it was still enjoyable. Elvira cooked us a feast and did not take no for an answer, It was extremely funny as throughout the course of lunch my name continuously changed. She called me everything from Stephen, Stefano, Stefan and Stavros. All I did was nod and continue eating. We spent the afternoon swimming at a beach nearby and more eating.
Greek Islands
The next day, Ange and I had to get up extremely early to catch our 7.35am ferry to Mykonos. It was exciting as it would be the first time we would have to do everything ourselves.
Mykonos Our first stop was the island of Mykonos where we spent three nights. We got a shock (to say the least) when we arrived at Paradise Camping and saw our beach cabin aka. shack on stilts. It reminded me of the Big Brother white room only smaller lol. However, the location was good as it was situated right on one of the best beaches of the island - Paradise Beach. At this beach full nudity was accepted which also gave us quite a shock at times. It was weird though because these so called 'nudists' would always either be wearing shoes or a hat (usually a sombrero). We still did spend a lot of our time on the beach and I continued to get burnt while Ange became black. There were also some cool bars along the beach where people danced.
Nearly every day we would catch the bus into Mykonos Town (known as Hora) which was 6km
away. The town was full of heaps of confusing streets that all looked the same and we spent most of our time LOST. I still feel disorientated in that place. We visted the famous windmills of Mykonos and also 'Little Venice' which is a special part of the town full of bars and shops.
On day two we went to the ancient Greek island of Delos and although unhabitated, it is home to one of the most important archaelogical sites in Greece. This is beacuse it is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, two of the most important deities of the Greek parthenon. The island was very similar to Pompeii and extremely hot.
I found Mykonos to be very expensive especially the nightclubs. We did manage to go to some bars but refused to pay 15+ euro entrance fees for clubs. Also our accomodation, although close to the beach, was out of town and it did get annoying having to always catch a bus (sometimes we would make the trip 4 times a day).
Paros An overnight stay on Paros was a spur of the moment decision. We learnt that to get to Ios from Mykonos
we would have to change ferries here so we thought it would be cool to explore the town. Paros is the main transport hub of the Cyclades and is very laidback.
We were lucky with our accomodation as Ange's Dad organised it for us. We were looked after by a Greek lady called Christina who told us of good beaches, shops and restaurants. The room was also unbelieavbly nice (well anything would be when compared to our shack).
However, I think that someone might have put the evil eye on us in Paros. Throughout the day bad things kept on happening, e.g. we got lost, we could not find places, i kept on tripping over and the toilet and tap in our bathroom broke. I know I am being superstitious here but it did feel like someting contributed (it is prob all in my head tho). It was funny because that same night our bad luck continued. We decided to go to a Greek taverna for dinner. Unfortunately, the waiter did not understand our order and instead of getting two souvlakis, we got the cheaper alternative of two gyros (basically small kebabs). We ended up paying 4.80 euro
(about $7) to sit in a nice waterfront table for an hr...very embarassing indeed. Once we had finished our meal we made sure that we did not show our faces there again.
Ios The next day we caught a ferry to Ios which is renowned as the party island of the Cyclades. By chance, my uni friends Lee and Amanda were already there and we organised to go out that night. Unfortunately, our ferry was over three hours late in picking us up and instead of arriving in Ios at 8.30pm, we arrived just after midnight. What really pissed us off was that no explanation or even apology was given. We still decided to go out that night and met Lee and Amanda in our room. I got embarassingly drunk and the last thing I remember is dancing on a bar and falling off. Luckily, the girls managed to get me to bed by 6am after I fell asleep in a club. It was a really good night!!!!! (even though I don't remember much of it).
We spent the next day recovering on Miloptas Beach and feeling very hungover (well I was). We went to a wet
t-shirt competition at the camping place where Lee and Amanda were staying. It was CRAP as most of the contestants did not know what they were doing...one even took her tshirt off before she got wet. Also it was the longest competition ever (nearly 2 hrs) as each girl got a full song to dance to. We soon lost interest and went back to the beach. Its funny because of how sick I felt, we didn't really get the chance to see Ios but still had a good time. It was really good meeting up with Lee and Amanda.
Santorini Our last stop was the island of Santorini. It was by far the best place we went to and was unbelievably beautiful. Of course, I went photo crazy which I'm sure I'll bore you with when I get back to Perth.
Thanks to Cameron (we really do owe you) we stayed at Rena's Place which was a welcome change from our other greek accomodation. It even had two swimming pools, tv, aircon and fridge.
We spent a day at Perissa Beach (well we thought it was at the time - it turned out to be Perivolos
Beach just down from the coast). This coastline is renowned for its hot black sand due to the volcanic nature of the island. It was very beautiful and strange as the sand was not dirty (just black lol).
We also went on a tour to the volcano and hot springs of Santorini. Several eruptions from this now dormant volcano has given Santorini its formation. The hot springs were disappointing (should be named lukewarm springs). We expected steam and 40+ degrees clear water. Instead, the water was about 20 degrees and very murky. I had more fun covering myself in the volcanic mud which is supposed to be good for your skin.
We also experienced the famous sunset at Oia. It was a magical moment as we shared it with 300+ people who burst into applause when the sun set at 9pm 😊
Yesterday we caught a TEN HOUR ferry (I have never been so friggen bored in my life) back to Piraeus where we met up with Ange's Dad and went out for dinner. We are now off to Paxos (Ange's Dad's Island) and then ITALY. I am extremly looking forward to Paxos as we are sure
to be well-fed and it is not very touristy. Ange and I feel like homeless people as for lunch we cut up salad stuff and bread and eat it in public surrounded by our bags. It has reached the point where I want to leave a hat in front of us to collect money. If we are lucky, we sometimes eat in restaurants for dinner. However, 2 euro gyros's are usually enough.
Further, the experience of eating out is somewhat spoilt by persistent and annoying restaurant owners who hound you when you walk past. We feel like telling them to leave us alone as we can't afford it. You would think they would leave people alone. Talk soon everyone. MISS YOU HEAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kosta!
non-member comment
HI!
OMG! Fuck you guys! The photos look beautiful! I am so friggin jealous... you both look really good (that sunburn is NASTY though, Summa... btw, are you in your Aussie Bums in that photo?) Jack shit has happened here since you've left really. We have all been really busy working and clerking (some of us). I have decided I really need a holiday.. I don't know when, I don't know how, but I need one.. for a long time. OH! and my license photo is HORRENDOUS! I look like a pokemon that has been stung in the face by a wasp! *Sigh* Miss you guys heaps, please stay safe! P.S. Maria has informed me that when my cousin (Kosta 2.0), saw photos of me with all my friends, he FELL IN LOVE with Ange... Maria said he has the MEGA HOTS for Ange... if you see Summa, be careful of him, because he will pounce! HAHAHAHA P.P.S. I am visiting Alana next week :D