Itisallgreek2me

Tuesday 4 June-Wednesday 5 June 2024

Yet again, thanks to a change in ferry scheduling, Tuesday became another grueling day of travelling in temperatures reaching 32°C. Leaving Roulas Apartments around 0830 hours, I caught the 0915 hours ferry DODEKANISOS EXPRESS to Kos, via Tilos and Nisyros, a pleasant enough 2h 20m journey.  

Kos is definitely not an island I would visit by choice. Too big, too busy, too touristy. Sorry, Kos fans, the island doss nothing for me. However, I had no choice but to spend 9h 20m there, awaiting my ferry connection. For 3 Euro, I left my trolley case at the Blue Star Ferries office before setting out to visit Neratzia Castle. Alas, it was temporarily closed for restoration. Moved on to the Ancient Agora… closed Tuesdays. Damn… I headed back to the harbour, spending a prolonged amount of time over a beer at Blues Brothers and enjoying the music, eventually leaving to eat something.

How to kill time when it is really too hot for anything? Somehow, I was drawn into Almanac Cafe Bar. The loveliest people, they allowed me to sit inside where it was cooler for 3-4 hours. Charged my phone and slowly sipped green tea with honey. 

I felt such a sense of relief when, at 2055 hours, the ferry Blue Star 2 departed Kos. First stop Leros, then Patmos. Finally arriving at my destination, Syros at 0410 hours, I was completely knackered. With the help of Mrs Google, somehow, in the dark, I made it up several flights of steps to my booked accommodation, who prior had agreed that I could drop off my luggage early. My host has said, “OK, I wait you.” I rang the doorbell, obviously waking up the disheveled woman who met me at the door, took my case, but wouldn’t let me inside. She said they’d contact me when my room was available.

Other than me and the local cat population, there was no life on the streets at that hour. Eventually, I found a Diner/Burger type joint open by Miaouli Square where I was able to sit awhile, sipping a double cappuccino. Used their facilities before wandering off to find a bench where I could rest. Couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched a cheetah like street cat stalk a flock of pigeons, then accelerate and chase, leaving with a pigeon held firmly in his jaw. The flock stood still and silent for some time, as if in a state of shock.

When I first visited Ermoupoli 5 years ago, I loved it, and I love it now. Tired as I was, I couldn’t resist an early stroll through the center of town, ending up in Plaza Cafe, which overlooks the harbour. I was there when the message came through that my room would be available at 1030 hours. 26 hours since I left my apartment on Chalki and no sleep. The day was becoming hotter by the minute. Took my time navigating my way back up to my room. Showered, settled in, and went to bed around midday.

There’s nothing worse than when you are so over tired, you can not sleep. That is precisely what happened to me today. I managed a couple of hours and then, at best, only dozing. I needed to eat something but didn’t feel much like getting ready to go out for a meal. Fortunately, I found O Gýros tou Kósmo Online, only 160m from my room. I walked there for a Kotópoulo Gýros takeaway. OMG… so big and delicious, I have half  in the fridge for tomorrow and only 5.50 Euro. Tomorrow, I should be ready to face a new dawn.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 5:56 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.