My Second Time on Syros
I arrived on Syros at nine last night and immediately got a room in the Hotel Hermes. It’s a comfortable hotel with clean modern rooms on the port. I then had supper and slept well. At only 52 euros a night, it is to be recommended.
Hotel Hermes, Syros
Syros seems different and I can’t remember much of the town from when C and I came with the boys in about 1981 or so. We had driven all the way from England in a borrowed car. We stayed in a villa on the beach, run by an eccentric Englishwoman called Lisanne Bates, It was near to a taverna run by a man called Yanni. I doubt I’ll be able to find it though.
The Maiden Voyage
If you’ve ever read that short story, by Gerald Durrell, you’ll know a little bit of what the journey to Syros was yesterday.
I had intended to catch the 12:00 ferry from Piraeus, but it was cancelled because of winds. However with the help of a Greek called Christos, who I’d met on the train going to the port, I was able to get myself a ticket on the 17:00 boat to the island.
Ferry to Syros at Piraeus
As the boat was there, we were urged to get on and this was a mistake. I should have gone and have lunch in Piraeus first, but I didn’t.
I was in what they called Business Class, but it only seemed that the seats were slightly less crowded.
There was no food on the boat for me, as the Greek salad was off and everything else was gluten-rich. to make matters worse the shop only sold souvenirs, tobacco and drink, so I couldn’t even have any chocolate. The only crisps stated they contained traces of cereal, so I was left with ice cream and coffee with three portions of sugar in it.
I did meet a Greek married to an Aussie coeliac and he said most restaurants in the islands understood gluten-free.
But can I really complain, as most ferries across the English Channel are not much better for gluten-free food.
Off to Syros and Mykonos Today
Well that is the plan! Provided I can find the 12:00 boat!
What is that Bright Thing in the Sky?
It wasn’t that warm yesterday and it was rather windy, so all of the locals were wearing boots, hats and gloves but the sun was out. Ad how many times have we been able to say that in the last couple of months in the UK.
Last night as it got dark, I walked round the old city and took a lot of pictures of the floodlit sites. I can’t post them now, as there is no SD slot on the computer.
I ended up eating a very large Greek salad and some souvlaki in a restaurant underneath the acropolis. C and I had been to Athens about four times, but we’d never really explored this part of the city. I’ll put it right today.
I’m sure she won’t mind!
The Centrotel, Athens
I’m posting this on a laptop in the breakfast room in the Centrotel in Athens.
Centrotel, Athens
It is a good laptop and guests are free to use it.
But that’s just like the rest of the hotel, quality and comfortable. It has one of the best modern rooms, I’ve ever stayed in. Plus points include.
- Superb lighting. C hated dark hotel rooms. She was right and there are thousands of them.
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste, along with all the other toiletries you might need.
- A whirlpool bath.
- Luxurious towels and dressing gowns.
- A bed for a good night’s sleep.
- Desk and chair.
- A TV that gets a good picture and is properly tuned in.
And all at 75 euros a night. I’ve paid a lot more and not had as good a room.
If the hotel has one problem it is a bit tucked away, but then it’s not far to walk from Larissa Station. It is actually nearer to Victoria Station and downhill from there, but that station is closed for a few months for updating.
I suspect though, taxis would find it easy. Although, I’m against cars in many ways, the hotel does have its own car park.
I would certainly recommend this hotel to anybody, who needed to spend a few nights in Athens.
The Anonymous Widower 