Day 2 - Athens by public transport, half-day tourist sail on Aegian sea I have a full day in Athens before I head to Lefkada (also known as Lefkas, which is the old-fashioned name as I'm told). Having seen the major things I wanted to see yesterday, I looked for things to do. An all-day bus tour to Meteora to see the cliff-top monasteries sounds good. Except turns out I'm past the booking deadline. The bus leaves at 8AM from a train station so I figure I'd show up and see if I can just pay to get on. It takes two metro lines to get there. There are three in Athens. M1 being the oldest and most worn-down, often running on the surface, with all trains covered in graffiti and aircon mostly nonfunctional. M3 is the newest (the one that runs to the airport), is underground within the city, and is the cleanest and most modern. M2 is between the two. There are also surface trains, trams, and buses connecting the whole system. A 1-hour ticket is EU1.20 and works on all modes except to the airport (not sure about trains). You can get a 5-ride card for EU5.70. Each ride starts the hour period when you first activate it.
It takes me several tries to find the right line and platform. There are many signs in English but it requires knowledge of the system and destination to navigate. I am slowly acquiring said knowledge. I find my way to the buses with 15 minutes to spare but no luck - if I'm not on the manifest it is illegal for me to be on the bus, and the driver cannot add me. So it's back to the hotel to form plan B. Which would be an all-day bouat tour of three nearby islands. Except it leaves at 8:30, it is now 8:15, and it would take 45 minutes to get there. Should have planned better, in retrospect, but it is what it is. Plan C is a half-day scenic sail on a catamaran, departing at 3:30 PM with SunSeaSailing. It will take about an hour and a half to get there so I decide to walk the neighborhood a bit. The Monasteraki square just outside the hotel is filled with restaurants and vendors of all kinds.
On the way to the marina from which the sail departs I check out the port, ust to see. Taking the M1 line there (could have also taken M3 but figured I'd experience the difference).
Lots of ferries of all kinds in the port. They connect the mainland to the many islands.
Next connection is a tram, but not knowing what to look for it takes me a while of walking around in circles to find the stop. Not being sure if it's the right direction I try to ask but am told 'there is only one tram'. Maybe the train station is the endpoint of the route. It got me there.
After a hot day of walking around and public transport it is nice to board the catamaran and just sit back and chill. There are seven other passengers besides myself. The skipper is very knowledgeable about the area and has many stories to tell and info to share.
The coast is scenic, the weather has cooled down to a more comfortable 80F and there are clouds with a few raindrops but no real rain. Perfect.
We make two stops for swimming. Lots of big yachts at the first one. And now I can add Aegean sea to the list of bodies of water I've gone swimming in. Water is clear and comfortably cool. Like in Croatia, there isn't much marine life. A few small fish and dark seaweed on the bottom.
Underway again the crew spot something in the water and pick it up - it's a big flamingo floatie.
Time for another swim stop and the included meal, which was cooked by the crew while underway. Great variety, and excellent. Both as a meal and as an experience.
The Gods decide to gift us a spectacular sunset.
And the few leftovers are gifted to the fish who gather rapidly. Clearly this is a regular thing.
On the way back, a very scenic sunset and even a dolphin encounter - they don't come too close but close enough to catch a few photos.
Since it's been a long day and the jetlag is starting to hit, the hour-plus public transport ride back is not very appealing so I catch a taxi which costs EU15 with tip. Well worth it.
Tomorrow is the long bus ride to Lefkada.
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