Several weeks ago, in a conversation with the lovely Irini (a staffer at Safestay Hostel who originates in Crete), she suggested I explore Rhodes, after listening to my goals and priorities for my visit to Greece. And you know, her remark jogged my memory. Of course I’ll go to Rhodes. I came from there with a very positive impression some years ago when I first visited there. I needed more.
Without so much as a second thought, when I next passed by Leto Travel in Syntagma Square, I walked in and inquired as to travel options. A ferry is uncomfortable but allows for unlimited baggage. A flight costs about the same, but I would pay more for my baggage. When she saw I was undecided and it looked as though I would leave, my agent remembered another option: Aside from the expensive ferry ticket, here’s also a 20 euro version that is nonrefundable. So I bought it!
It was hard to leave Safestay, which had been my home for over a month. The staffers (most of ’em) showed great character and made me feel at home. I don’t mean that they fake-smiled and asked how I am. I mean that they were present and thoughtful. They also were more than competent and helpful.
My ferry was scheduled to depart at 6 pm, so I got a good day’s work in before leaving for the port. My plan was to take a taxi but I met an awesome traveler — well, kind-of a traveler — who accompanied me and my many bags to the port by subway. Here’s my ferry schedule:
- Pireas (departed from at) 6 pm
- Syros 10:05 pm
- Patmos 2:40 am
- Leros 4:15 am
- Kalymnos 5:50 am
- Kos 7:10 am
- Rhodes 11:05 am
I opted out of purchasing internet and prepared this page in MSWord while onboard. So now let me tell you about the ferry: It feels like a cruise ship. I stayed up all last night (music/wine/work), so I boarded extremely tired at 5 pm. Around 6 pm (aka departure time, but departure was delayed, of course), I went to sleep for 3 hours.
The ship (Blue Galaxy) is NOT what I expected: It is large, powerful, clean, well-appointed with multiple table/chair/sofa areas for the passengers. This is in contrast with my past experience doing this route (from Greece to Israel) in a tiny, no lounge space, sleep outside on the deck, and get sick together when the sea became violent ferry. Toward the end of the trip I met this awesome Rhodean woman who said that yes, typically, this route is handled by yucky boats and that we were being treated to the Blue Galaxy only while the regular ferry was being repaired/maintained.
Finding a carpeted, indoor location to sleep was easy. In the Blue Galaxy, I experienced luxury! It’s got rudders & tech, so no swingedy-dingedy from side to side. There’s a large TV on all night, as well as an option to purchase internet service, food (like cheese pies), beverages, ropas, purses, Toblerones, etc.
The schedule was also perfect: From 6 pm to 11 am, I would spend most of my 17 hours aboard sleeping. They didn’t train us on how to jump ship in the event of an emergency. No idea where the life vests are, but have every faith that I would have gotten the info at the time of need. I trust the Greek sense of decency. People have been overwhelmingly kind and decent here.
During the evening, we stopped at the island of Syros (1 hour behind schedule). All sortsa action. People getting off, masked men running around with big white baskets shouting in Greek what they are hocking, and unwelcome cigarette smoke (not from the sellers; not sure from who).
My plan was to awaken early and to explore the decks and have a looksee at the morning island stops (Kalymnos & Kos) — never happened. I only got as far as the bathroom and lounge areas. The following morning, I awoke to find myself in the nina lounge (i.e., ninas is what our daughter used to call girls). Per their matching red jackets, I conclude that I was surrounded by giggling 10-year old tae quon do competitors & their coaches. The arrival time at Rhodes had been updated to 12:15 pm.
I repacked my bags, refreshed myself at the ladies’ room, and sprang for a cappuccino to enjoy as I sat by the window and watch the waves & clouds.