Nicholas, one of our waiters tells us that last year the was so much salt in the rain water and sand blowing that they has to scrape it off the electricity lines to be able to get them to function again.

This morning most of the electricity is back. At the reception, they confirm that the blue star big ferry will be leaving for sure but the high speed that are built similar to catamaran may not. They recommend that we book our ticket on blue star at 6pm arriving at 11:30 in Athens rather than the 7pm high speed arriving at 10 so we go ahead with that. We are informed that the business class and seat numbers are sold out but we can try upgrading on the boat.

We spend the day reading and getting ready since our attempts to go for was are canceled as we feel like we will be blown off our feet.

We take an early taxi into Hora with the plan to walk up to the gate of Apolo and do a bit of shopping.

When we arrive there, we check our luggage and attemp the walk but we must walk on a pier that connects the small island where it stands and the waves are so high that they crash over the pier soaking everything. We settle with pictures for afar.

We walk in the very pretty old village and meet a very nice shopkeeper who tells us where to buy the best honey from the mountain. It must be thyme honey. The absolute best!

Back for a pizza by the port. Those Greeks love their pizza and pasta. I guess Italy is so close!

We find out that the boat is an hour and a half late so it will leave at 6:30 and arrive at 12:45 in Athens. The high speed is of course running on schedule. Oh well!!

Once the boat finally arrive we are told that we can not upgrade and must find a seat somewhere. We end up on the top deck partially covered where the strength of the winds and waves are very evident. It is freezing.  A group of young nomad musicians break into an impromptu concert complete with a bunch of young people dancing and singing. It is quite entertaining.

But when they pull out 2 bagpipes around 11:30 and start the whinny sounds, it is less funny. Now everyone would like to sleep!

We arrive at the hotel at 1:30 and in bed by 2. Wake up call at 4:30… Arghhhh

The flight to Istanbul  is without complications but we arrive to find our flight to Toronto is delayed by an hour and a half. The airport is much bigger than anticipated but I just want to sleep! Now we really want to be home. We hope to be able to sleep in the plane.

Chuck has been booked on a flight to montreal tomorrow morning for a meeting. Yikes!

All and all a wonderful trip!