Day 10 – Santorini – Sifnos

We had a hotel breakfast once again this morning, mainly because our host Katerina was so nice to us and we got on so well that it would have been mean not to. This allowed us to take a bit longer getting ready to check out. We were sure not to get caught up in the mess at the port this time and arranged for a transfer through the hotel itself.

This didn’t prove to make much difference. The trip to the port was fine and easy, although once we reached the port it started getting hectic once again. The queue into the port was already miles long due to their one-way system and when we had finally disembarked our transfer van, we were left stranded in a sea of people not knowing where to go or where to stand. Either did anyone else to be fair.

With 3 ferries arriving in the space of 10 minutes, the small port that is only the length of maybe 2 football pitches erupted into chaos. Departure gate 4 was the only signage we had and we couldn’t locate gates 1-3. Having ventured into the ‘departure lounge’, we went against the grain and went back outside, knowing that if our ferry was called we could just run across and get on it, there are no rules or orderly processes anyway.

The high-speed super-jet ferry we got on was completely different to our previous journeys. Set out like an airplane, everyone was assigned a seat and there were no lounge or deck spaces. Thankfully we had a whole row to ourselves and Louis had a wee nap after seeing how much money we had left. I even read a full 2 chapters of a book before I got sleepy.

Sifnos – an island that wasn’t on our itinerary – was our destination this time. Greeted by Nikos at the port, we were driven to our hotel/apartment that would be our home for 3 nights. With a cheap rental price, cooking facilities and ‘looks good in the pictures’, Iliofegaro was the reason we were visiting this island (Milos was almost 3 times the price to stay).

Instantly, we could tell that the island was different to the rest. It was quiet. Relatively unspoilt by tourists, Sifnos had all the signs of a retirement island for a Greek local. Perhaps even a whiff of an empty day in Portsalon during winter, with 30 degree heat of course. It was also beautiful, with the port sandwiched between two large hills.

The beautifulness didn’t stop there. At our apartment, the mother of Nikos brought us some watermelon and water, whilst Nikos nipped down to the shop to buy us freshly squeezed orange juice and an espresso freddo (a cold espresso is all the rave here in Greece). Their warm hospitality matched the room, which in itself was a cute little gem, and our favourite stay since we started our adventures!

As it was late in the day, we had a short trip down past the beach, along the strand and visited the supermarket. The shop was a stereotypical Donegal shop with just about everything everywhere and no real order. Louis had pointed out that they were in desperate need for a stock room and was becoming quite distraught at the mess.

After finally finding the entrance, we headed home to make some pesto spaghetti – we’re on a strict budget this island. It was a good start to a nice island, where yet again, we can’t fault the locals, they are just so nice and kind all the time. It must be those freddo coffee drinks!