A Ferry to Greece

                                      Ancona to Patras

In the third Week of September Last I made the 24 Hour Ferry crossing from Ancona in Italy to Patras in Mainland Greece. This is the same Route where on December 28 an Italian Ferry was engulfed by Fire and 10 Passengers Tragically Perished. Today's Ferries are fairly Luxurious with Bars, Casinos and a choice of Restaurants. One is essentially in a floating Town and  thoughts of the Panic and Fear which would arise in the event of Fire are the last thing One is apt to think on.

I believe that Passengers sailing on the Stricken Vessel were expecting to Sail on a Ferry similar to the one I travelled on. For some reason the designated Ferry was not available and People embarked on a Boat which was something of a Rust Bucket. I am sure that the replacement Ferry was considered Seaworthy, however a Fire which started on a Car Deck could not be contained and fairly quickly engulfed the whole Ship!!


Passengers endured 24 Hours on a Freezing Sleet
Lashed Deck Choking on Toxic Black Smoke!!

Unlike the Poor Souls spoken of above my Crossing was uneventful. My Eurail Pass had given me Free Ferry Crossings on this Route Plus a Bed in a Couchette ( A tiny Cabin with 6 Bunks, where One is packed in like a Sardine in a Can, but infinitely preferable to sitting in a Chair all Night!!) In fact my return Ferry Crossings to Italy plus the 30% Discount I received on all my Ferry Journeys to the Greek Islands is what made the Eurail Pass worth the Money!! Had I just used my Pass for the Train Journeys I made the cost (Almost 600 Euros) would have rendered the Pass a Poor investment!!

One final thought as regards Traveling on Greek Ferries if making an overnight Voyage and paying full cost for a Cabin ( Cabins are rather expensive) the price is usually exactly the same as flying. It is really then a matter of personal Preference. What occurs to me is that because of the time of Year my Ferries were all a lot less than half full, in the Summer Months those Boats must get pretty crowded!!

A four hour Bus Journey to Athens and an Overnight stay in the Hotel Adonis in Piraeus later I Sailed on the Early Morning Ferry Bound for the Delightful Island of Naxos. I first visited Naxos some 25 Years ago, and had retained fond Memories of the Delightful Old Town and its Wonderful Narrow Steep Alleys and Steps which are a Joy to explore. I remembered Bougainvillaea Festooned Houses which Nestle side by side with Inviting Restaurants and small Colourful Shops. As One Saunters through this intruiging  Maze One gets the feeling that One is actually walking through Somebody's House!!

There are a Lot more Restaurants, Shops etc. on Naxos than when I last

The Old Town is Just as Captivating
as My Memory of it!!

Visited, although the Islands essential Charm and Romance remain intact. I was told that late September is an ideal time to visit as nowadays Naxos is rather Busy earlier in the Summer. I believe Naxos is a Beautiful Island with some fine Beaches. I have to confess that I only visited one of the Outlying Beaches and that was 25 Odd Years ago, and as I recall involved a rather Sweaty Bus Journey!! Being rather a Lazy Tourist I used the Town Beach which was perfectly OK for Sleeping in the Sun and Swimming!!


While I preferred to spend my Evenings Eating and Drinking in the Labyrinthine Street's of the Old Town there are lots of interesting looking Restaurants and Bars facing the pretty little Harbour.





Greek Cuisine while in no way comparable to French or Italian is rather Good, I think ''Hearty'' describes it quite well!! As mentioned there is a large choice of inviting looking Restaurants and Bars on Naxos. What I missed were the little Morsels, rather like Mini Tapas ( small pieces of Octopus and Grilled Prawns etc.) Which my then Girl-Friend and I enjoyed in a Taverna overlooking the Harbour of Skiathos 40 Odd Years ago. As One sat quaffing an Ouzo or a Beer these little offerings were I suppose intended as an inducement to stay for another drink!! Although I did not see any Tavernas Serving up these delicious Tit Bits I am Sure that there are still Bars on some Islands where the Tradition Survives.

Octopus Drying in the Sun

Dining here on warm Greek Evening
Pure Bliss!!

This was my favourite Restaurant. Diners in this picture are actually sitting outside in a delightful little Alley. I noticed a number of Greek Families eating here quite late in the Evening on my several visits which I took as a good sign!! Taramasalata was not on the Menu but they got me some from where I know not. Fresh Home Made Taramasalata with a Plate of Good Olives and Crusty White Bread washed down with Chilled White Wine is my idea of Heaven!!

I dream about Taramasalata in Thailand

With no space for Gardens
Still Flowers and Plants are Everywhere