Aegina island - part of the Saronic group of islands. Famous for pistachios.
Day 1 : 1 Aug 2012
Arrived Athens early in the morning. Clear hot day. Had 1 free day with no plans. So, decided to visit an island. Aegina, Poros and Hydra were the 3 closest islands to Athens. Hydra was the most picturesque of these 3. Poros most isolated. Aegina the closest.
Arrived Athens early in the morning. Clear hot day. Had 1 free day with no plans. So, decided to visit an island. Aegina, Poros and Hydra were the 3 closest islands to Athens. Hydra was the most picturesque of these 3. Poros most isolated. Aegina the closest.
Took a taxi from Intercontinental in Athens to Piraeus port, about half hour away. Wanted to go to Hydra but no more tickets for the morning. Next trip out was in the evening. So, decided to go to Aegina(pronounced Ah-ee-na) instead.
At 9 am, paid 47 euro for 2 return tickets by the hydorfoil, Flying Dolphin. Just in time. Departure Piraeus : 9.15am.
At 9.15, no Flying Dolphin. When I checked with the man at the ticket counter, imagine my surprise ... ride cancelled! I had just paid for the tickets 15 minutes ago!! Couldn't quite make out why no-show. People clamouring for information and refunds.
Ticket man wanted to refund me cost of tickets to the island. Return journey was fine, he said. Decided not to chance it. Got full refund and went next door to get the ferry boat, Appolon Hellas. Booked Flying Dolphin back. 46 euro return for 2. Departure : 10am.
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| Assured of going - can see ferry in port! |
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| Pleasant comfortable ride. |
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| Walked around Aegina streets. Quaint, tiny streets and backlanes.
Gorgeous, vibrant bougainvilleas overhanging from walls and entrances. |
Had lunch at cafe near Fish Market.
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| sphaghetti with octopus |
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| bread and olive paste |
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| grilled octopus |
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| Visited a Greek orthodox church. Lovely frescoes and a huge chandelier inside. |
Walked to the museum and archaeological site. Entry 3 euro. Small museum. Enjoyed the climb to archaeological site.
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| Great view of harbour and sea. Hot but windy. |
In the afternoon, debated whether we should go by taxi, take the bus, rent a car, quad bike or bicycle to Perdika, a pretty town 9km away. Bus times getting back may be erratic-may miss the boat. Taxi would be expensive as would have to pay taxi to either wait at Perdika or pay double for it to return empty. At Perdika, not sure if could easily get taxis. Did not bring my driving licence.
Quad bikes - Brandon wanted to ride his own. Out of the question as he does not have a licence.
Settled on bicycles. Big mistake. We cycled in the hot sun-40 deg. Made it past the half way mark-over 6 km. I could see Perdika in the distance. But the road leading to it was going uphill. I was spent though Brandon was fine. I could not go on further. Turned back. Next time - rent the quad bikes(30 euro)!
At Piraeus, took a taxi to Plaka, Turkish quarter. Lots of restaurants.
Quad bikes - Brandon wanted to ride his own. Out of the question as he does not have a licence.
Settled on bicycles. Big mistake. We cycled in the hot sun-40 deg. Made it past the half way mark-over 6 km. I could see Perdika in the distance. But the road leading to it was going uphill. I was spent though Brandon was fine. I could not go on further. Turned back. Next time - rent the quad bikes(30 euro)!
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| Rested in this cool beachfront bar on the way back. Read and had ice cold coca cola and water. |
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| Our rented bikes in front. 5 euro each-what a steal! Probably cos not many mad enough to cycle in the heat. |
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| Bought pistachios- Aegina famous for them. Crunchy and delicious! Pistachios with or without salt, pistachios with sesame seeds...the lady even did a special 2-in-1 packet with plain pistachio and pistachio with sesame seeds for me. |
Made it back to port on time.Flying Dolphin late by 20 mins. Faster but choppier ride back to Piraeus.
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| Flying Dolphin |
At Piraeus, took a taxi to Plaka, Turkish quarter. Lots of restaurants.
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| Hadrian's arch was impressive. |
Had spinach pie and rye bread sandwich with feta cheese at cafe on Adrianou. But the best was the Domades at Smile nearby. Very very good. Rice and meat wrapped in vine leaves.
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| The spinach pie at SMILE is absolutely the best I've tasted. |
Walking back to the hotel along the main road, Syngrou St, at night was not a good idea. Quite deserted. Shops closed. Traffic zipping by. Saw a beautiful girl dressed in white waiting at side of road. Wonder what she was waiting for. :) Made a mental note not to walk at night back to the hotel the next time.
Tips
1. Pick up and send off service from airport/hotel/airport - 50 euro
2. Taxi fare from Syngrou St, Athens hotel to port should not be more than 15 euro. Get driver
to switch on meter.
to switch on meter.
2. For faster ride to islands, take hydrofoil, Flying Dolphin.
Ferry boat, Appolon Hellas, slightly longer by 20-30 mins. Not much difference in fares.
Ferry boat, Appolon Hellas, slightly longer by 20-30 mins. Not much difference in fares.
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