After saying goodbye to my Australian drinking buddies that i met in paradise, I packed up my tent, took a shower and then bid farewell to paradise. After walking out the gate i arrived at the local public bus station only to find out that i had 3 hours to wait. Since the walk was only about 5 kilometers i gave the bus the flick and started to trek my way across Mykonos island to Mykonos Town. 2 minutes into my journey i was picked up by a friendly Mykonosian concrete truck driver and given a lift half way into town. Turns out that you really can get used to the incredible sunsets and stunning beaches. After being dropped off i moseyed on into town and found a net cafe in which to update my blogs spent a few hours poking my nose around Mykonos city which unfortunately really does not have much to do apart from drinking.Catching the 3:30 bus to the new port of Mykonos i was informed that that the ferry i was waiting for was suffering a 5 hour delay. 5 hour delays aren't exactly uncommon in greece as most ferry / bus and train drivers tend to operate on greek time. Greek Time: Adjective: Literally meaning: 'Arrive when we want to, stay as long as we want and then leave when we want to'
Having a few hours to kill i decided to go for walk up the mountains where i stumbled apon Basil and his goats (Apologies go out to my Bro Basil this guy was nothing like you). Basil was a kindly old gentlemen that litterlally lived in a run down old villa on the top of a wind swept mountain surrounded by old roman style fences, tundra and rocks. He is kept company by only his faithful herd of goats and so the old man was grateful for my companionship.
Despite an impressive language barrier, i soon learned that all of the surrounding land had be 'Loaned' to him by the city government (that had no better use for it) in order that he may feed and maintain his herd of goats. Basil has never been off the Island of Mykonos and was been born there in July of 1936.
After my farm vacation (3 hours), watching the sunset (2 hours) finding my way of the mountain back to the port in the dark (2 hours and one semi sprained ankle) i was informed that the ferry to Samos was delayed by another 4 hours.
When your on your own awaiting a ferry / bus / flight /train that is delayed I have quickly learned that the time can be passed relatively quickly by lively and interesting conversation with your fellow travelers.
Enter, Aaron (Sydney, Australia, 21), Sarah (B.C, Canada, 19) and her sister Amanda (B.C, Canada 23). These 3 fellow backpackers quickly wiled away the hours of what ultimately ended up being a 9 hour delay (2 hour greeks time).
The ferry ride was fantastic, the 6 foot swell could certainly be felt on this small ferry and i loved every minute of the slightly turbulent voyage across the Mediterranean sea through the depths of night and early hours of the morning.
8 Hours later i arrived to find myself in a different land. Where the majority of the Cyclades islands are little more than impressive lumps of rock the isle of Samos was covered in green. Trees, shrubs and olive trees covered the landscape, however the most noticeable difference was the orange terra-cotta tiled roofs that absolutely everyone of the buildings in the main town adorned.
After a leisurely breakfast / lunch / afternoon with Amanda and Sarah, Aaron and I bid goodbye to the fair canadian ladies and moseyed on down to the port of Samos to say goodbye to the beautiful land and beautiful ladies of greece.
As Always
Carpe Diem
Ralph Bragg