Day 4 – Mykonos – Paros

Instead of having to get 2 buses and a boat to get to our ferry, the hostel kindly offered us a free transfer to get our 12.45 ferry to Paros. After a quick croissant and a bit of blog writing, we got dropped off at the dock, which was nothing short of a shambles. With no signs, walkways or any sort of authority it was every person for themselves.

Despite this, we managed to get the right boat without being knocked down and to be fair to Golden Star Ferries, it was actually quite nice (I still prefer travelling by train).

A short hour trip saw us in Paros, our second island, and we were quickly transported to our hostel – Kuola Camping. We had apparently booked a Super Deluxe Cabin at the price of €7.50 a night, but there was nothing super deluxe about it. A metal oven with metal framed beds, rock hard mattresses, cobwebs, dust and other repulsive things. With Anna only slightly perching on the side of the bed and staring around her, we decided we would leave quickly before we caught something.

Another traditional spaghetti for Anna and more gyros for Louis, we decided to buy a beach umbrella instead of buying a sun lounger each time. In theory, this was a great idea. In practice, the umbrella never stayed upright and crumbled at the smallest breeze.

Paros wasn’t going right for us at all today and Louis was slowly losing it. I decided to grow a pair and walked back to the hostel to speak to the lady about our ‘room’. I thought it was only fair she knew that this hostel was by far the worst and dirtiest hostel I’ve ever been to. I suggested that she gave us a new cabin, got someone to clean it or give us a refund. Louis being the man that he is, buggered off to the toilets at this point. I don’t mind basic but I do mind grossness. It was nearly as bad as my sisters room and that’s saying something.

I realise that cheap accommodation is the aim when backpacking but you couldn’t pay me €7.50 to stay in it. To be fair to the lady she was very understanding and explained that the reason it was so dirty was because they ‘cleaned’ it 3 days ago and dust had blown in and spiders must have got in. I couldn’t help to think then why on earth they don’t wait until the day of arrival to clean it up.

Anyway, with the form we were in we couldn’t even contemplate about staying in our little infested cabin. Instead, we cancelled our booking and booked a nicer hotel that was only slightly dearer at €15 a night, except it had clean walls, beds, a fridge, air conditioning and even toilet seats!!

When we arrived at Hotel Hermes, it was empty and we were eventually ushered to our room by a Greek man who spoke no English, and was being directed by a woman on the phone, who was also able to translate for us. The room was heavenly and it had really helped perk our moods up.

After an outrageously cheap meal at a local greek restaurant by the marina (€2.70 for a gyros instead of €9!!) and a cheap trip to the supermarket for breakfast and lunch tomorrow, we were in great spirits and decided to explore the capital of the island, Parikia.

The entire town reminded us of Dubrovnik, Croatia, and it was very picturesque. I would even go as far as saying Paros is a lot nicer than Mykonos. It is also a lot cheaper and less touristy. After hating Paros several hours ago, I had finally started to appreciate it.

It was already very late when we called it a night, although most of the shops were still open. Louis took his chance at getting a bracelet, which doubles into a hair bobble just incase I ever need one.

Hopefully it’s a much better day tomorrow!