Today I’m excited to be doing the day tour of Tinos, having been able to hijack a trip organised for people coming from Mykonos. I am to meet the guide called Valentina at the port. First stop though is a breakfast of bougatsa in the bakery come coffee bar that I had discovered. They have…
A young lady taxi driver picks me up at he Daidalos Hotel. Together we managed to heave my suitcase into the boot. The conversation begins with her asking me if this is my first time on Ikaria to which I reply that I had stayed in Therma a few years ago. “Ah, so now you…
Where did those five days go? It’s as if they have disappeared on the gust of wind that whips around the Armenistis coastline causing those big rollers to smash onto the shore. The wind is a curious thing. From my balcony at the Daidalos Hotel, I have a view over a small swimming pool which…
OK, let me just clarify something. I’m not driving a Chevy or a vehicle of any kind here in Greece (you know my nerves won’t stand it!). My pants aren’t heavy nor do I have any kind of stomach disorder. When I first came to Ikaria two years ago a particular song from the film…
Having just one day of doing not much at all was worth it. A day to myself was just enough to help me recoup from the frantic four days in Athens. I find myself always having to fight the temptation to be up early and explore everything within my capabilities – or rather the capabilities…
The ferry journey in my view is always part of the travel experience – not just a process of getting from A to B. The ships become like old friends. Some you may have had an encounter with or maybe just even seen from afar. The Blue Star Patmos has been one of those friends…
Today Amal says farewell to Greece and the city of Piraeus bid her a bon voyage as she heads to Italy. At 11.00am, crowds begin to gather in the square in front of the Metropolitan Theatre. I arrive early and catch some of the practice sessions by the group of singers that are going to…
It looks like tonight’s event is going ahead. The Walk with Amal will begin at 7.30 from the Pasalimani Clock Tower right on the edge of the Marina. I had taken a stroll down there earlier in the afternoon to check out the location. I had been to the Marina before via the Hop on…
I’m not going to lie – I was very nervous about travelling during these strange times. Once I put on my big girl pants and pressed that book button there was no turning back. The paperwork isn’t so bad – as long as you approach it methodically. Book flightsBook first 2 accommodations for the PLF…
So, here I am in Athens after flying in yesterday. I honestly didn’t think I’d be travelling anywhere further than my back garden this year, but here I am staying in an apartment in Monastiraki and about to embark on a 24 day solo trip. Since the Covid pandemic began I’ve tried to be the…
The food scene in Mytilene is great! It’s a student town and there are bars, ouzeries and restaurants all through the little streets behind the main drag. Some of the most recommended are already closed for the season but we manage to eat (and drink) really well and quite cheaply both nights (an ouzerie in…
Here is another Blast from the Past from July 2001 – a trip that took me to Rhodes, Kalymnos/Telendos, Bodrum, Leros, Nisyros and Tilos. My boyfriend at the time and I took turns in writing a diary entry and this is an excerpt from the Leros part of the trip. Apologies for the low quality…