Posidonas (Poseidon) ferry at the dock on Aegina - it can carry 1100 passengers and 80 vehicles and took a little over an hour We finally had a day where we didn't have to leave the hotel first thing in the morning, so we took advantage of the made to order breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Burrattino, which was included with our room. Although we sat in the portion which was technically inside, there was no barrier from the larger outdoor area and nothing to keep cigarette smoke away. Otherwise, we really enjoyed the Athens Ivy Suites and would love to stay there again. We liked the staff. Eva, in particular, took wonderful care of us and was very helpful.
We were day tripping to Aegina, one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, about 17 miles from the nearby port of Piraeus. We took the Athens Metro to Piraeus and while waiting for the subway, a young man asked if we were tourists. He seemed pleased that we were visiting his city (or maybe that we were using the metro).
Getting to the port took more time than I expected and we were tight on time when we arrived at the port, it took both of us spotting signs and navigating to arrive at the boat with just 4 or 5 minutes to spare. It felt like an "Amazing Race" moment. We took the big or "standard" ferry because unlike the high speed boats, you can go out on the deck and we could see more of the cruise. It would also be a gentler ride if there was rough weather. The day was overcast off and on with occasional light rain.
Arriving in the largest community on the island, which is also named Aegina, we took a leisurely walk along the street by the waterfront, where multiple vendors offered us samples of various pistachio products. Fystiki Aeginas (Aegina Pistachios) are considered some of the best in the world.
We had lunch at O Pelaisos, a restaurant which has been in the same family sine 1932, that I found online during our ferry ride. Linda had shrimp, while I had fried anchovies (they were out of the fired marida I was going to try). The anchovies were much like smelt. I enjoyed watching the boats across the street, where men were repairing nets on one, while a couple of boats were traditional "caiques," that sell fresh produce, nuts, and fruit from the mainland.
We followed lunch with a visit to a nearby church (which was locked), then returned to the ferry dock to get a taxi at the stand. We negotiated for him to take us to the Temple of Aphaia, across the Island. It is normally a flat fare of 18 euros one way and he agreed to wait on us and bring us back for 45 total. The temple was built about 500 BC over the remains of an earlier temple and is considered one of the best preserved on any of the Greek islands. It is on a hill top and was extremely windy. There were only a few other visitors and I enjoyed the views and the small adjacent museum.
Although our driver spoke much more English than we speak Greek, communicating was slow, but he did point out pistachio and olive trees along the way and during the drive back, stopped briefly to let us look inside the Holy Church of Saint Nectarios of Aegina, When we returned to town, he dropped us at the Temple of Apollo. Overall, we felt that he gave great value and although I had been told that the typical taxi tip in Greece is nothing or rounding up to the next euro, we have him a 5 euro tip. In general, I tipped less than I am used to doing, but more than many Italians and Greeks think we should. Just one column remains from the 6th Century BC Temple of Apollo, but it is surrounded by other ruins dating back over 4,000 years. It is a beautiful location and there is another small museum.
It was a leisurely walk back to the port, where we visited some shops and took our time getting back for our return ferry.
Tonight's supper was at Meat the Greek, a popular sandwich restaurant near our hotel. They are known for their gyro's, but were sold out, so we had pork & chicken souvlaki sandwiches, and a beeftekakia skewer. It was a lot of food for 14 US dollars including tax. In general, Greece was less expensive than Italy.
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