Early rising and checkout, plus goodbyes for departure to the Greek Island of Paros, suggested as a quiet, cost-effective restful paradise. The metro leads to the port of Piraeus where after a series of misunderstandings and misdirections, the ship leaves without us.
Dump the packs for minimal cost, the search for an ATM yields no cash. Return to the waiting room for hours on end with no money and plenty of suspicious glances from the staff.
The time arrives for money at the ATM and a dinner.
12 hours after the intended ship, the second chance arrives. Still sunny and hot, the deck tickets do not reserve seats inside so we arrange at a table and take turns in the restroom for a sink shower.
4 hours of watching people, and finally a call of port...or port of call. Unable to understand the announcements in Greek, it is uncertain where this port is. Other passengers disregard the announcements and finally we check with crew. Too late. The ship is leaving port, and the quiet paradise is behind us. Continue on to an island called Naxos.
We relocate to a lower deck with fewer people around and wait for another 2 hours to dock.
Strapped with packs, disembarkation with hundreds of others that dump onto the concrete slab "dock" drenched in darkness. No guardrails or ropes caution the unwitting traveler from the edge of the dock and the cold, clear Aegean below.
The others begin to drag their bags toward the glow of the city lights, away from the confusion of the ship. Unsure of the process, we follow, like refugees from the sea.
At the end of the pier, people hold signs for rooms listing the amenities. One that touts a pool becomes the target. After and unwary interaction, the cost of $20 Euros for two people is negotiated- what a deal!
Loaded into a passenger van with a couple from Norway, we chat as the staff winds through the city and into the country. Pull up and unload in front of a stereotypical blue and white island building where our room awaits.
Heavy sleep soon overcomes the slapping of mosquitoes.
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