My trip home from Hydra to Bodrum started at 07:15am on a sea cat, followed by a bus, two planes and a lot of waiting around between flights, with an eventual arrival at home at 10:30 pm. Looking at the map, I'd spent most of my journey going in the opposite direction to Bodrum. For my return trip I decided to travel all the way by sea. I booked a 4 pm ferry from Bodrum to Kos, a 7:45pm ferry to Pireaus and a 10 am sea cat to Hydra. I admit the overall journey took longer than flying but the trip was much more enjoyable. I had a nostalgic wander around Kos town which hasn't changed much since I was a weekly visitor in 1982. I'd booked a cabin to Pireaus so had a meal watching the sun set over Kos town, then an early night with a good book. I woke up at 6 with plenty of time to have a shower before disembarking. I did have to take the free bus from one side of Pireaus harbour to the other but it was only a five minute trip then just an hour to wait for the sea cat. Total cost 181 Euros, less than it cost me to fly. I could have saved 88 Euros and not taken a cabin but as I emerged fresh as daisy my fellow passengers who'd spent the night in the lounges were looking grumpy and dishevelled. I'm not a great fan of ferries but this one was spotless and on time, helped of course by the calm sea.
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| Waiting for passengers at Bodrum harbour |
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| A bike lane and a strange train are new, but unlike Bodrum, Kos hasn't changed much in 30 years. |
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| Lots of boats advertising day trips to Bodrum. 30 years ago, the ferry to Turkey was a closely guarded secret. |
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| Sitting on the aft deck with a beer has to be better than waiting in an airport. |
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Dear Annie, I've never taken a sea voyage although I did take a ferry once across Lake Michigan from Wisconsin to Michigan. My car was stowed below and I sat on the deck and watched the water. It would have been so refreshing if I hadn't been worried about the cat--Dulcy--whom I'd left in the car in my nervousness at doing all this for the first time.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a seasoned traveler. I'm wondering if you speak Greek. Peace.
For some reason Dee, my reply to you jumped to the end
DeleteLiam and talked endlessly about doing the Greek isles by sea from Bodrum. All talk, no action. I'm ashamed to admit we never even caught the ferry to Kos.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have exhausted everything to see in Turkey, I'd recommend a trip to the Greek islands, but you have so much more to see just in Mugla yet.
DeleteThis looks like an enjoyable trip....my next door neighbour's family is originally from Kos, she always talks about it. Another neighbour from across the street is from Rhodes and the one down the street is from Chios.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo of the sunset...enjoy your time.
Were you busy yesterday celebrating 15th August with all these Greeks around you.
DeleteI was wondering why the Greeks across the street were having people over and they were bringing all these flowers ....you answered my mystery or just being a nosey neighbour.
DeleteI'm trying hard to learn Greek, I was doing OK until I got to the past tense.
ReplyDeleteThis is in reply to Dee
Delete. . when J and I were 'doing' the islands a few years back we got our timing badly wrong and went as all the students were heading off for their end of term jaunts - it was a bloody nightmare! The ferries were jammed tight and the couchettes we'd paid for were full of surly Greeks and their luggage. The staff refused to do anything about the situation so we ended up leant against the wall for the duration. Next overnighter we booked a cabin and were entertained all night long by drunken students fighting and carousing outside the door. We vowed never again - but never is an awful long time!!
ReplyDeleteYour experience echoes my past ferry trips too so I wasn't expecting much from this one. I was pleasantly surprised - it was like checking into a hotel with a porter to carry my bag to the cabin and show me how to turn on the light! As it was 14/15th August I was anticipating a much rowdier time. The ferry companies has obviously pulled up their pompommed socks.
DeleteI'd much prefer to travel by sea than air, given the choice. I love Kos, and it really hasn't changed much at all.
ReplyDeleteProbably not much fun if it's rough but I'm beginning to resent every minute I spend in an airport or plane.
ReplyDeleteI can't comment on your blog again now I'm back in Greece - very strange
B to B, My hat's off to you for doing the long trip! (I get seasick so I'm a bit ferry-shy.) But I think that this form of travel is much preferable to flying. Time spent in airports seems like being in purgatory. Have a good stay on your lovely island.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to be a good sailor, so I enjoy the 6 hour crossing to and from France every summer. Travelling by sea around the Greek islands sounds like my idea of heaven, sun, sea and history.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait until we have the opportunity of using Bodrum or Turgutreis as the jumping off point for discovering some Greek Islands.
ReplyDelete