Farewell Poros and onto Aegina with a visit to Angistri (Agistri)
I didn’t feel sad leaving Poros as I knew I would be back. Because I am writing this three years after the event I know that I DO return to Poros just two months later.
Anyhoo it is time to leave and head to Aegina. The Apollon Hellas appears from somewhere near Kimomeni’s shoulder and we board quickly as there is just a few people making the trip. As I stand on the deck I appear to have a chihuahua fro company!
Farewell Poros – you are still the same beautiful island that you were 24 years ago!
We have booked a place called the Plaza Hotel. Now this isn’t the luxury abode that the name would infer. This is budget accommodation – rooms only overlooking the port. The friendly greeting and hospitality that we receive from Georgios the hotel owner was absolutely superb.
Being so close to Athens, Aegina is a busy old port with lots of boats and ferries coming in and out of the harbour. We have booked a place really close to the harbour so it doesn’t take us long to walk to it. We’re staying at the Plaza Hotel – not as grand as the name may suggest. However, we receive a lovely warm welcome from our host and are shown to our room immediately. This is great budget accommodation just a few minutes walk from the bus station and the port and overlooking some popular fish tavernas.
We are on Aegina for just a few days before heading back to Athens. The rest of this post is just a couple of photo galleries of the places that we visited with a few brief notes.
The first thing to note is that there is a fairly good bus service on Aegina which will get you around to the key locations of the island and the timetable is seasonally updated:
The Temple of Aphaia
The Monastery of Agios Nektarios
The village of Perdika and the Camera Obscura
NB We had set off for Perdika in the South West of the island to see the Camera Obscura but unfortunately, although a well-intentioned project, the camera obscura had been allowed to fall into dilapidation. However, Perdika itself is a nice quiet village with a good selection of taverna’s so worth the visit to escape the hustle and bustle of the main town.
A bit about Camera Obscura at Perdika
A walk around the coast – North from the port past the Temple of Apollo, Faros Bouza and up to the statue of the Mother.
In and around Aegina Town. Part of the town has a lot of charm with atmospheric neoclassical buildings. Swing by the Tower of Markellos next to the clock tower for a photo opportunity. In the streets behind the main street there are a selection of artisan shops and boutiques but don’t forget to try the locally grown pistachio’s from one of the street vendors! There are some great beach bars along the front which are a perfect place for an evening cocktail!
A day trip to Angistri (Agistri)
Various boats run regularly between Aegina and Agistri. Not only the big ferries but also the small Agistri Express and the Flying Dolphins. Today the 2WayFerries Achaeos takes us there and back. I appear to have acquired another chihuahua!
That was Aegina/Agistri – short but sweet. It is time to leave for Athens.
Although this is three years after the event I have very strong memories of the ferry journey from Aegina to Piraeus. After a tortuous time at work over the last year I had become despondent couldn’t face the thought of going back. I’d spent this trip weighing up my options as what to do when I returned. I knew deep down that I’d already decided but as I stood on the deck of the ship watching the seagulls glide and swoop on the thermal currents, the decision was made!
