Syros - we could be greek!


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Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Syros
August 17th 2009
Published: August 21st 2009
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Piraeus Superfast FerryPiraeus Superfast FerryPiraeus Superfast Ferry

Superfast VII leaving from Piraeus
Location: Syros Island (Cyclades Islands)
Weather: Sunny, northerly wind. 33 °C
I've decided to record the weather each day, just to rub it in how I'm now experiencing summer!

We arrived on Syros at 11pm on Friday night, Hermoupolis was very busy this late at night - this weekend was the Festival for the Virgin Mary so it is a public holiday and there have been lots of celebrations; music and fireworks. It is also the middle of the summer holidays, Syros is one of the holiday hotspot for Athenians so the town is fairly busy all summer. It also helps being only 4 hours by Ferry from Piraeus, the ferry was very crowded as lots of people were going to the next Island after Syros, - Mykonos! Everyone is out at night enjoying the night life, it is pretty family friendly as we have seen lots of parents with young children out at 11pm. The temperature is much nicer in the evening so everyone tends to be out after the heat of the day is over. All the cafes have tables lining the harbour wall, everyone seems to come out at night to eat, shop and socialise. We checked
Syros - Breakfast SaturdaySyros - Breakfast SaturdaySyros - Breakfast Saturday

Breakfast every morning in Syros - I am never coming home!
into the Hermes Hotel and went straight to bed; 32 hours of travel was exhausting.

Saturday was a leisurely day, we strolled around the shopping area of Hermoupolis and enjoyed an espresso frappe at one of the many cafes - I have had an espresso frappe many times now and I’m still not sure if I like it - too much like a cold cup of coffee! People watching is a great past time, I am amazed how everyone rides a scooter with all their luggage or shopping propped on the handle bars. Many big launches and sail boats have tied up in the harbour. After our morning walk around the town we headed back for siesta - it was very sunny and hot. All the shops were closing and the town became very quiet. That night we had dinner at the hotel, the best Greek Salad ever! We then went for another stroll around Hermoupolis and shopped. More shops are open at night than during the day. Noticed a few fashion trends for this summer: T-Shirts must have bling on them, short shorts are back, harem pants are definitely popular and wedges are still fashionable. Had a couple
Syros - Town HallSyros - Town HallSyros - Town Hall

Hermoupolis Town Hall
of drinks at a café and watched the unloading of the various Ferries from the other islands - they just pull into the harbour, reverse into position, drop the rear doors and people, cars and trucks just get off all in ten minutes, loading is also interesting as the cars and trucks reverse onto the ferry while people walk on. It is a mad rush but for some reason it works. The ferry never turns off its engine and leaves just as quickly as it arrived.

Sunday was a great day, it was hot but the wind had picked up so the breeze was quite cool. Virginia, a friend of Mum and Dad’s came and picked us up from the hotel and took us over to the other side of the island for lunch with her husband, Christos, and son, John. Virginia showed us Kini and Galissas before taking us to Finikas for lunch. The other side of the island is quieter than Hermoupolis and has sandy beaches as opposed to stone beaches. Tried ouzo and Virginia ordered lunch for us so we tried a number of different specialties from Syros - all very nice. Another siesta when we
Syros - Shopping in HermoupolisSyros - Shopping in HermoupolisSyros - Shopping in Hermoupolis

Hermoupolis - shopping...
came home and then we walked down to Virginia’s office at 9pm to have an ice-cream with her before coming back to the hotel at 11pm for a light dinner (another Greek Salad - told you that I was becoming addicted!)

Our last day on Syros was very quiet, again we walked the streets of Hermoupolis exploring the smaller alley ways and their shops. Had a late lunch in a very quite courtyard, yes, Greek Salad again. By the time we walked back to the hotel Virginia was there to pick us up and take us to the ferry - saved me walking all our stuff around to the ferry. Hard enough to do at night but it was going to be a nightmare during the heat of the day. Virginia also made sure we got on the Ferry before the mad rush, if she hadn’t we would not have got a seat. The return trip to Piraeus was not as smooth as the first voyage as the wind was very strong and made for rougher seas.

Poli picked us up from the ferry in Piraeus and took us to her home in Vouliagmeniawhere we will stay until
Syros - Customs HouseSyros - Customs HouseSyros - Customs House

View of Hermoupolis across the harbour to the Customs House.
Friday.

Amy



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Syros - Dinner SaturdaySyros - Dinner Saturday
Syros - Dinner Saturday

Amy at dinner on Saturday night, check out the view behind me!
Syros - Dinner SaturdaySyros - Dinner Saturday
Syros - Dinner Saturday

This is why Kathy loves Greece!
Syros - Ferry unloadingSyros - Ferry unloading
Syros - Ferry unloading

Ferry loading, notice cars reverse on as people walk on.
Syros - NightSyros - Night
Syros - Night

View from our room.
Syros - Lunch at FinikasSyros - Lunch at Finikas
Syros - Lunch at Finikas

Lunch with Virginia and Christos
Syros - Lunch in HermoupolisSyros - Lunch in Hermoupolis
Syros - Lunch in Hermoupolis

Hermoupolis was establish in the1800's. Small narrow streets suddenly turn into courtyards with taverns.
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Syros - Lunch

Greek Salad!


22nd August 2009

Activity abroad!
Hi you look like your having too much fun already!! Can we please have pictures of you doing lots of active things on the cruise ship each day!! love Emma

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