So what have we been up to and where have we been?
Well, it’s all been hot hot hot over in Greece, 46° to be exact! Not quite what we were expecting. Seriously over packed for this temperature but the Greeks weren’t expecting it to be this hot either, just yet!
Talking of being unprepared, just before we left we had a last minute change due to an unresponsive hotel on an island called Tilos, so cancelled our stay and went to an island called Symi instead. We had agreed to pay on arrival but they didn’t ask us when we arrived so we headed off to find the office and it was closed on several occasions. As we had to catch the ferry we had to leave and now they are flapping about the payment and we have to try and find an international Greek bank that are willing to take cash and deposit it in our hosts account as the banks we have visited won’t do this type of transaction due to the high costs involved.
Symi Island was such a pretty place, check us out on instagram to see some photos and follow us on the below instagram link or come find us on Facebook
So quick run through of what we have learnt about travelling and Greece so far.
Shrimps.
When the world’s your oyster but you are not ready to go, start with prawns. In fact Symi shrimps, a speciality of the island. Small juicy shrimps that you eat whole and just leave the tails, if you like prawns these are amazing!
Hire Cars.
Never get a hire car from Eurocar Rhodes. Seriously, we had the oldest, tatty, resprayed high mileage Polo that lasted a day before going back to be swapped due to the engine warning light staying on. Swap was for a 85,000 mile Nissan Micra auto with a wheel bearing gone, the steering wheel off centre, the fan belts loose and the traction control light keeps coming on but she is still getting us around as we are not prepared to go back again to swop it and waste more of our own time.
Greece Smells Nice.
As it’s so warm you can smell the rosemary and thyme in the air.
Rucksacks.
Good idea when accommodation is 374 steps from the ferry harbour. Not that I have counted them 😉
Olives.
Still taste horrible, not that we don’t keep trying them. People, how can you eat them and say they are yummy?
Stergos Manolakas – Astronomy Cafe and Accommodation.
Is an amazing guy who has created fabulous accommodation at a great price and has an astronomy cafe on a cliff top over looking Faliraki. Man, I love looking at the stars and moon through the telescope.
Refugees.
Despite the media drawing to much attention to the immigration issues in Greece we can honestly say we have not seen anything apart from one navy vessel. We haven’t even seen one refugee, what we have seen is the poor people of Greece trying to make a living with the small amount of tourists arriving due to the media hype putting people off. Prices are higher that expected as these guys have to compensate for the lost revenue.
Greek People.
These guys are super friendly and really pleased to meet you. Sadly their English is so good and our Greek so poor.
Mosquitoes.
Don’t be mistaken by thinking that as you are on a dry island near the sea they are not there waiting to nibble you… Ask Steve.
Off wine tasting now and to figure out how to add pages to our blog.
Live happy
Debs and Steve
Love.Wine.Travel. 