Now we�re in Naxos.

To get there from Santorini, you travel on this ship, which involves queuing up with all your luggage with several hundred other people in a building with not a lot of ventilation that is designed for a few hundred fewer people than are actually in it, ready to rush the gangplank when all the heavy vehicles get off. This is rather like rugby without leg tackles being allowed; as Jane and I reached the gangplank, a pair of solidly built middle aged Italian women made a quick dart around the line and tried to hip an shoulder Malcolm out of the way. We think they saw the maple leafs and figured polite Canadians would let them get away with it - they didn�t factor in Australian upbringing - it�s really quite surprising how far you can bounce someone with a deft turn of a 50 lb pack on your back...

The Mediterranean was far from pleasant on the trip, with 40 to 60 km hour headwinds. On deck, in any open area, you added another 25 or so for the ship speed. There are no inside seating areas and seating is on benches that are welded to deck or cheap plastic chairs that aren�t. You do not want to be downwind of those chairs when someone stands up suddenly - they go flying in the wind.

The entrance to the harbour of Ios - the one stop en route. Based on the weather we�ve seen, it is no surprise that there is a church at the entrance to every harbour.

The main town of Naxos, locally called Chora (silent C).

The Temple of the Dellian Apollo on a small island at the harbour entrance, the official symbol of Naxos. It isn�t a ruin, it was actually never finished in about the 6th century BC. Early archeological evidence of the invention of the committee perhaps�

Entrance to the old Venetian Castle area in the centre of the old town (actually built by Franks who saw which way the wind was blowing).

Part of the old market area - a jewelry store.

Once out of the old area, you have to dodge scooters, motor bikes, quads, beach buggies and cars. The only thing scarier than the way some of the local young men drive them is the way the tourists rent them and try to drive them.

The nearby beach, Agios Georgios (about 5 minutes walk from the hotel). This was taken today after the wind finally moderated. You will note nobody is very far into the water - as a result of sustained strong northerly winds pushing currents around, it was cold!

The hotel and pool area where we have whiled away a number of hours in the last couple of days.

No shortage of places to eat even in this relatively small town and if octopus is your fancy, you can get really up close and personal to it.

Dinner on the beach, followed by on the Kitron liquer, a local speciality. While all the restaurants serve the standard Greek fare, if you dig a bit deeper in the menu and go for the more obscure dishes, you get specially treated and the food has always been worth the effort.

Another sunset over Naxos harbour. Back to Athens by high speed ferry tomorrow, one day to get organized and then an early start on Tuesday to come home via Munich and Toronto - estimated travel time of 17 hours!
copyright 2006 Malcolm Ogborn