We are now back to the winter routine after a wonderful trip to the fabulous city of Prague. We loved the city and had a great time. Regular readers will know I usually don't use so many superlatives. However, I won't write about Prague on this Greek island blog; I will post to a travel blog and then put a link here.

This photo is in the new Nissos Mykonos ferry of Hellenic Seaways.

Meanwhile the Paros ferry situation is looking very good. There are over 23 ferries per week from Piraeus to Paros and back in January with two new routes. One by Zante Ferries which may not continue into the summer and one by Hellenic Seaways which should be permanent as that company seeks market share from the popular Blue Star Ferries.

These two photos show the nearly empty Blue Star on the day after Christmas. This is only the second time I have been on a Paros ferry that was not busy, even in the winter. Summer visitors would definitely not recognize all the empty seats; then there are loose chairs set up in the hall ways.

Technorati Tags: Paros,Greek islands,ferry

Reader beware! Time for a rant. We were seduced and screwed by Olympic Airlines.

Last month when planning our 8 day trip to Prague for Christmas the best flight from Athens had an early afternoon departure time which meant either an overnight hotel stay in Athens/Piraeus or taking the morning Olympic flight. The pros were the airport is only 3 minutes from our home; the flight is only 20 minutes long; the cost is less than the hotel and ferry combined. The con is Olympic Airlines.

We have always advised travelers that they are difficult to deal with because they allow over-booking by passengers and travel agents so that they show full when they are not. We also knew they are strike prone because the employees are objecting to EU mandated privatization. We knew flights were often canceled for unknown reasons so we very carefully watched the weather and the news stories. Yesterday I rode over to the airport and asked about today's flight. I was answered with a shrug and a comment that they know nothing about tomorrow today.

Sure enough we show up ready to go 45 minutes before and the airport has an eerie feeling; no activity and a group of workers lounging over the baggage equipment smoking and chatting. The flight has been canceled supposedly due to a mild breeze from the "wrong" direction. I am guessing more likely due to somebody not wanting to come to work that day.

Now we are taking the evening ferry to Piraeus for midnight hotel arrival and noon departure for airport where our "best flight" is now very expensive due to change charges. And our holiday in Prague is one day shorter.

I would appreciate comments from anyone who has anything good to say about Olympic Airlines. If I asked for negative comments I am sure I would be flooded.

A while back we came upon an article about the rich and famous buying their own private Greek island--and the Beatles failed attempt to do the same. Read more here.

The six minute ferry ride between Paros and Antiparos passes by a very small private island that holds two villas and various out buildings. We don't know much about the owners but did see them dock at Antiparos the same time we got off the ferry. They looked ordinary. We heard that they bought the island in the 1950's for something like $5000.

However, the Antiparos villa owner that everyone talks about is Tom Hanks. For awhile every large villa or luxury boat on Antiparos was said to be his. Actually his villa was pretty much completed this year although he only spent a few days there instead of his usual few weeks.

These two photos are of his house. I only included the second one because it shows our house as well--one of the white dots along the shore in the far background.

We finally watched Mamma Mia last night. One word: GREAT!

If you love any Greek island, you will love this flick.

We are slowly getting into the season this year; a little on line shopping and a few community events. The Christmas lights started appearing last week; I hope to get mine up this week.

As I have mentioned before many Paros expats are artisans of one kind or another and most are always looking for ways to support their Greek island life style. So through out the year there will be art and handicraft sales.



This particular one was set at the Aqua Marine taverna here in Aliki. The spirit was quite festive. Denny, the chef/owner, made a special onion and cheese soup. Being Belgian he did not call it French Onion.


This photo didn't turn out well but I do want to show the setting of this Aliki taverna on the harbour.

Our highlight was the live creche. It was very symbolic; the angel was being angelic, Mary was being accommodating and the wise men were wrestling.

According to a recent news article all modern photos of the Parthenon are about to be obsolete.

From the Athens News Agency:
Parthenon restoration completed: Scaffolding will be removed from the Parthenon Facade during the next few days and visitors will be able to view the restored largest part of the marble roof with its friezes that made the monument, the work of the architect Mnisiklis, renowned in ancient times.

It seems that whenever and wherever I travel there are major structures with scaffolding around them. I guess it is good that they are being worked on; yet it never seems to end.

Please comment with your experiences. Especially if you know of a major attraction that has scaffolding removed.

Here is a link to a fun video for Lacta Chocolate. It was filmed on Paros this summer. I actually drove through one of their filming sets on my way to the Villa Randiana one morning.

If you are young enough to see the whole video let me know if I am in it or not. Most likely I am on the cutting room floor as I am too old to be handsome and too young to have an interesting face.

Enjoy: http://www.loveatfirstsite.gr/en/

Warning: It is quite large so very slow loading.