When I first planned this trip, I had no real idea what kind of a trip it would be – how does anyone know beforehand how a trip will turn out. As it happened, this was probably the best trip that I’ve done to date! I had kept things quite ‘loose’ because travelling out of…
The three hour journey to Lesvos was very pleasant – despite being at an ungodly hour. The morning air was quite chilly so I sat in the comfort of the lounge. I tried to get my Seasmiles membership card printed from the onboard terminal but it wasn’t having any of it. Anyway the early morning…
Today I feel a little melancholic. Not just because I’m leaving Limnia, which really has been a little escape, but the realisation that my time on Chios is nearly at an end. After packing and checking that the villa is spic and span, I phone George the taxi driver and ask him to pick me…
Last night the wind was vicious! It whipped down from the mountains to harbour with such a force that I had to get up in the middle of the night to rescue things from the balcony. The drying rack full of my clothes was clattering around on the terrace and I fully expected it to…
I’m up early this morning (again) but decide to have breakfast in Volissos later. I’d spotted a nice patisserie cafe when I was there last. Today I’m going to walk to Limnos, a neighbouring village that I’d read has a great beach. At the side of Hook there is a road the takes you up…
I’ve been travelling for a month now and it has been non stop. Not that any of it is a chore – every day has been amazing and hand on heart this is the best trip that I have done yet. There gets to a point when you just need to stop and rest –…
Firstly I want to say that I’m not insulting the bus by calling it Cronky. Yes it has seen better days and yes, when heading up to the mountain villages she needs a top up of water and oil (daily), but the number 17 bus is an experience in itself. It reminds me of the…
One of the good things about the bus service is that apart from the very early departure to most villages from the bus station, the lunch time departure gives you time to do something else in the morning. Today I take another wander around the Citadel but as soon as I enter through the city…
I’m packed and ready to leave Pyrgi. In body that is. The soul is another matter. Visiting Chios, the fifth largest island in Greece has been a bit like an island hopping trip – in fact it has been a village hopping trip but instead of the ferries I’ve been using the buses, the odd…
I’ve almost – but not entirely exhausted nearly every alleyway in Pyrgi. I have still been able to discover new ones every time I go out on an exploration but today I want to do something else. I’ll have breakfast first to think about it. I’ve found that the main square has its own little…
It’s Sunday and the bells of the Church of the Assumption of the Theotokos weave their way through my bedroom window. The familiar three times clang of the call to service, serves as a most unique alarm clock! I like it. It brings a smile to my face. I’d slept well in my medieval bed…
When I think of Chios – I think of Masticha – the alcoholic drink that is. Ever since tasting it years ago I’ve really become accustomed to the sweet, aromatic taste of it. For the last couple of years when travelling to Greece we’ve treated ourselves to Masticha in the special edition bottles. If you’ve…