A driver picked us up at the hotel early this morning to take us to the ferry to Samos Island. When we arrived at the dock, a young man with a badge, greasy hair and wrap-around sunglasses met us and took our passports and voucher for the ferry. We were worried that this was a scam but others in the ferry line had the same thing happen to them. Once the passports and boarding passes started arriving we relaxed. The ferry left the dock at 9:00 with us and several other people from our Rick Steves touring group. The seas were fairly calm, the temperature was cool and the sunny was shining brightly. It was a pleasant hour and 45 minute journey.
Ann on the Ferry Leaving Kusadasi
The arrival on Samos Island was our official entry to Greece. We passed through customs, wandered down the street to an ATM to get some euros and caught a taxi to the airport. We shared the ride with Tom and Leslie, our new friends from Colville who were on the RS tour with us. We sat around in the small airport for a couple of hours before we boarded our twin-engine prop airplane for Athens.
The flight to Athens took only 45 minutes. Even in that short period of time, the crew was able to serve us a snack and drinks.
When we picked up our bags, we said good-bye to Tom and Leslie (they were waiting for their daughter to arrive on another flight) and walked to the Metro station. The weather was cool and windy which made the wait for the train very chilly. Once we got on it became much warmer. The ride into Athens was uneventful. We had a little trouble finding our boarding platform for our transfer to another train, but all signs and announcements were in both Greek and English. We got off the train at the Akropoli station and wandered through the old city streets until we found our hotel. Although we had a map and were able to walk directly to our hotel, the street signs were all in Greek with the strange Greek alphabet. (Being close to the frat and sorority in Berkeley with their Greek inscriptions helped).
Our room is on the fourth floor and has a good view of the Acropolis. The room is very comfortable with its king-sized bed and a fully equipped bathroom. (If it has tissues, it is very good. If it has wash cloths, it is even better).
The Acropolis from Our Hotel Room
By this time, it was after 5:00, so we checked our email, cleaned up and went on our search for a dinner restaurant. The streets in the old section of town called the Plaka wind around and are narrow and narrower. They are lined with quaint houses, old buildings, ruins, shops and restaurants. We were looking for Toa Psara which was highly recommended in Trip Advisor as a top choice. We got slightly lost but by doing so, we saw many local people getting ready for the Greek Orthodox Easter celebration.
Our dinner was pretty good. We started with a Greek salad with tasty tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, capers, etc. For a main course and had lamb souvlaki while I had grilled calamari. We shared a half-carafe of red wine. When we were finishing our meal, we looked out the window and saw an Easter eve procession coming down the steps outside of the restaurant. Most were carrying candles. It was very colorful.
Easter Eve Promenade
It was now nearing 9:00 and people were starting to fill up the restaurants. Late meals seem to be the standard in Greece. We walked back to our hotel and got to sleep at 10:30.
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