Today's adventure leaves the island paradise of Naxos to return to Athens to catch a cross-country train to the second largest city in Greece, the northern city of Thessaloniki.
First in line, soon others pile up behind as the ship at the port of Naxos is behind schedule.
Backpacking can be romantic...
Steaming away from the island city of Naxos.
After boarding the nearly empty ship, most passengers appear to have reserved seats as the deck is deserted.
Long benches become beds as we snap the packs underneath and pull our blazing red LTU airline blankets for warmth.
A bright white moon floats in the sky and sea as we steam toward Athens.
The rising sun on the Aegean horizon.
Sea-faring sleeping arrangements.
After 8 hours, the skyline of mainland Greece is in sight.
Disembarking at Piraeus, we are eager to find the metro out of this Athenian suburb.
To the train station to purchase tickets to Istanbul, Turkey. After rude information, the booth needed to purchase international tickets will not open until after our desired train has already left.
More time to pass, the bags are once again dumped in a locker, and a meal is sought. An excellent cafe offers wonderful local fare with the “coldest Mythos in town” - complete with beer-cicles! The owner even throws in a complimentary paella (tastier than those in Malaga!) and some refreshing watermelon slices.
With satisfied stomachs, we say our thanks and goodbye as an elderly Athenian offers his apologies for the unbearable weather due to the “Super Warming”.
With satisfied stomachs, we say our thanks and goodbye as an elderly Athenian offers his apologies for the unbearable weather due to the “Super Warming”.
Time to buy tickets and board, we are eager for the next destination. The train trip is routed from the southernmost point of the country, Athens, all the way to the far reaches of the northeast to, to Thessaloniki, and to cross into Turkey en route to Istanbul.
By the time the train moves onward, the sweat is rolling into our eyes. Finally- time for some air conditioning!...but it never blows.
From midday to sundown the train rolls through the Greek sun-scorched plains heating its contents like a microwave.
We sleep as much as possible, but fortunately wake in time for death-defying train trestle winding through mountainous peaks.
This is what the hot train car feels like...so much for romance...
At Thessoloniki, it is dark and everyone is instructed to get off the train to change to one with air conditioning. Finally!
When it is time to board the new transport, it is a free-for-all. With this opportunity, we locate an empty private car. Lock the doors, close the curtains and blast the air conditioning! Soon, a knock on the door from the conductor sends us back to the cattle car where we belong...through the remainder of the night.
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