Three Ferries to Greece or Two Innocents Abroad In A Honda Accord

Friday 17th November 2006

We had an excellent buffet breakfast in the hotel then got into the car and headed out of town towards the archaeological site at Delphi.  The weather was already very hot and we arrived at Delphi before 10am.  The site opens from 8.30am to 3pm and we first went into the museum to look at the exhibits, then went out into the site to have a wander around and take photos of the buildings and temples.  As we had got there so early there were hardly any coach parties there, so we had most of the site to ourselves.  We went to the home of the Delphic Oracle and also saw the "omfalos" or navel which was the centre of the world in ancient times.  As always in Greece there were a few hungry cats around to be fed!

After Delphi we drove along the road through Arahova which was a total nightmare due to the numbers of coaches and lorried trying to pass each other on the narrow bendy road through the centre of town.  The place just appears now to be a tourist trap.  Out of Arahova and we saw the signs for Kastro and the E75 National Road and we joined the motorway a bit before the turn for Agios Konstantinos.  After our travels up and down this motorway on coaches in the past we knew the road well and decided to stop off at at Levendi's services just passed Agios Konstantinos.

Fed and watered we headed back onto the motorway towards Lamia and Volos, the latter being our final destination.  The Greek drivers on the road were still a reckless nightmare.  We eventually came to the exit to Volos and entered the city passed the coach station.  We drove through the centre of town and out towards the Pelion and then down Iatrou Tzanou to the Hotel Roussas, where we intended to stay.  We didn't book in advance and when we saw Nick he told us that the hotel was full because of celebrations happening that weekend for the 30th anniversary of the University of Thessaly in Volos.  Aaargh!!  All that travelling and no room at the inn.

Nick kindly phoned around and eventually found a room for one night, maybe two, at the Hotel Sandi in the centre of Town.  We needed two nights because the ferry didn't run until Sunday morning.  Nick told us to leave the car outside his hotel for safety and we took the bits we needed and walked into town along passed the marina.  The owner was expecting us and we had a room for 50 euro with breafast 5 euro extra.  Cheap at the price given that there probably wasn't another room to be had in Volos that weekend, although the room was tired and in need or redecoration.

We booked our tickets on the Express Skiathos ferry then after sorting our bits and pieces out we went to one of the ouzeries on the harbour front and had an excellent evening meal.  We had a couple of drinks at a nearly bar then headed for bed.  During our food and drink there was a lot of noise and we saw a procession along Iasonas with people waving banners and shouting slogans.  We pondered what it might be about but came to no firm conclusion.